QS Asia University Rankings 2026: Prominent Indian Universities Plunge; Just a Handful Rise

In the recently announced QS Asia University Rankings 2026, renowned Indian universities have witnessed a sharp dip in their ranking. IITs which are the flagbearer of Indian higher education are at the forefront of this decline. Prominent IITs like IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay and IIT Madras rankings have dropped drastically. As a result of the decline, IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay have fallen out of the top 50 in QS Asia Ranking this year.

Despite the poor performance of IITs and other government institutes, several private universities have shown positive movements in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026. Chandigarh University, BITS Pilani, Lovely Professional University, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences and OP Jindal University all have improved their rankings this year. 

QS Asia University Rankings 2026: Year-Wise Comparison

Compared to last year, the number of Indian universities breaching the top 100 mark in QS Asia University Ranking remains the same at seven. However, a decline is witnessed in the individual rankings of institutions. 

QS Asia University Rankings 2025 vs 2026

Institute	Rank 2025	Rank 2026	Change
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi	44	59	-15
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay	48	71	-23
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras	56	70	-14
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur	60	77	-17
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore	62	64	-2
Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur	67	77	-10
University of Delhi	81	95	-14
Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati	104	115	-11
Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee	108	114	-6
Jawaharlal Nehru University	110	130	-20
Chandigarh University	120	109	+11
UPES Dehradun	148	163	-15
Vellore Institute of Technology	150	156	-6
Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences	168	159	+9
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani	171	154	+17
Amity University, Noida	183	187	-4
Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi	188	197	-9
Lovely Professional University, Chaheru	226	187	+39
Symbiosis International, Pune	216	200	+16
O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU)	271	163	+108

Top Indian Institutes Lose Ground Across the Board

In QS Asia University Ranking 2026, IIT Delhi has secured the 59th position, highest among the Indian institutions. However, compared to last year, it has slipped 15 positions. The biggest decline can be seen in the case of IIT Bombay. It has come down from 48 rank in 2025 to 71 rank in 2026. IIT Madras has also followed the downward trend. Its ranking has dropped by 14 positions. In 2025, it was at 56th position and this year it has fallen to 70th position. IISc Bangalore also slipped slightly from 62 rank in 2025 to 64 rank in 2026.

IIT Kharagpur fell from 60 rank to 77 rank, and IIT Kanpur from 67 rank to 77 rank. IIT Guwahati dropped from 104 rank to 115 rank, while IIT Roorkee moved down from 108 rank to 114 rank. Delhi University also saw a decline, slipping from 81 rank to 95 rank. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) fell from 110 rank to 130 rank, marking a drop of 20 positions this year. UPES Dehradun also saw a decline, moving from 148 rank to 163 rank, down by 15 places.

Meanwhile, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) experienced a small setback, moving from 150 rank to 156 rank. Amity University, Noida registered a slight fall from 183 rank to 187 rank, showing a 4-position drop. In the same trend, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi moved from 188 rank to 197 rank, slipping by 9 places in the 2026 edition of the QS Asia University Rankings.

Private Universities Lead the Way in Ranking Gains

Out of top 20 Indian universities ranked in QS Asia University Ranking 2026, as many as 14 institutions witnessed a decline in ranking, while only 6 could manage a positive change. All the six universities that have witnessed a positive change are private universities. 

Chandigarh University is leading the pack with 109 rank (highest among the private Indian universities). OP Jindal University has taken one of the biggest jumps in the ranking. The university has improved its ranking by 108 positions. It has moved up from 271 rank in 2025 to 163 rank in 2026.

BITS Pilani has also shown solid improvement, moving from 171 rank to 154 rank, while Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences rose from 168 rank to 159 rank. Lovely Professional University (LPU) advanced from 226 rank to 187 rank, and Symbiosis International University improved from 216 rank to 200 rank.

QS Asia University Rankings Indicators 

To rank top institutions across Asia, each university is evaluated on 11 different parameters. Academic reputation and employer reputation are the two most important parameters and hold the maximum weightage. These are followed by faculty student ratio, citations per paper, international research network and others.

QS Asia University Ranking 2026: Parameters and Weightage

Indicator	Weightage
Academic Reputation	30%
Employer Reputation	20%
Faculty Student Ratio	10%
Citations Per Paper	10%
International Research Network	10%
Staff With PhD	5%
Papers Per Faculty	5%
Proportion of International Faculty	2.5%
Proportion of International Students	2.5%
Inbound Exchange Students	2.5%
Outbound Exchange Students	2.5%