India ranks second globally in number of institutes featured in THE World University Rankings 2026 after the US

India has achieved a major milestone in global education rankings. According to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, India now holds the second-highest number of universities featured in the list, just behind the United States. This marks a significant improvement in India’s global academic presence and highlights the growing quality of higher education in the country.

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore has emerged as the top Indian institution in this year’s ranking. It has been placed in the 201–250 rank band, maintaining its strong international reputation for scientific research and innovation. IISc’s consistent performance reflects its global standing as one of the world’s most respected research universities.

Several other Indian institutions have also made it to the top global bands. In the 351–400 band, the Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences in Chennai has been recognized for its academic and research excellence. Meanwhile, Jamia Millia Islamia (Delhi) and Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences (Himachal Pradesh) have both secured places in the 401–500 band, marking their growing prominence in the global education landscape.

Institutes like Banaras Hindu University (BHU), IIT Indore, KIIT University (Bhubaneswar), Lovely Professional University (Phagwara), Mahatma Gandhi University (Kottayam), and UPES (Dehradun) are ranked in the 501–600 band, showing the increasing diversity of Indian universities making global progress.

The 601–800 rank band features several well-known institutions such as IIT Patna, IIIT Hyderabad, Amity University (Noida), Bharathiar University (Coimbatore), Central University of Punjab (Bathinda), Aligarh Muslim University, Graphic Era University (Dehradun), Chitkara University (Chandigarh), NIT Rourkela, Panjab University, University of Delhi, and VIT University. Their inclusion shows how institutions across different regions of India are gaining recognition for quality education, research output, and social impact.

The Times Higher Education report mentioned that 2,191 institutions from 115 countries were ranked this year, reflecting the most comprehensive global university comparison to date. India’s expanding presence in this list underscores its ongoing efforts to improve global academic competitiveness and research standards.

Global leaders and performance trends

On the global front, the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom has once again secured the top position for the tenth consecutive year, reaffirming its reputation as the world’s best university. The second position has been claimed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.

The University of Cambridge (UK) and Princeton University (US) share the third rank, followed by Harvard University and Stanford University, both ranked fifth. The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) holds the seventh position, while Imperial College London (UK) is ranked eighth. The University of California system occupies the ninth rank, and Yale University (US) completes the top ten list.

Despite maintaining its dominance, the United States has seen a slight decline in performance this year. The country continues to have the highest number of universities in the top 100, but the total has dropped from 38 to 35. Moreover, the US now has its lowest number of institutions in the top 500, with 102 universities listed. The report also noted that 25 leading American universities have recorded their lowest-ever rankings, including the University of Chicago (15th), Columbia University (20th), and Duke University (28th).

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This decline indicates growing global competition in higher education, with countries like India, China, and several European nations showing steady improvement. The shift suggests that the global academic landscape is becoming more diverse, with emerging economies contributing more significantly to world-class education and research.

For India, this year’s rankings are a reflection of progress in research, innovation, and international collaborations. The expansion of funding opportunities, the rise of private universities, and greater emphasis on global partnerships have played an important role in helping Indian institutions improve their international visibility. Initiatives like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages flexibility, innovation, and global engagement, are also beginning to show results.

Experts believe that India’s growing presence in the THE World University Rankings signals a strong foundation for future global leadership in education. However, they also note that sustained focus on research quality, international faculty exchange, and global student mobility will be essential for maintaining this upward trend.

The rise of Indian universities in such a prestigious global ranking reflects the country’s transformation from a regional education hub to a major global academic contributor. As more institutions continue to invest in quality teaching, research infrastructure, and global collaborations, India is expected to further strengthen its position in upcoming international rankings.

In summary, the THE World University Rankings 2026 highlight India’s remarkable progress, with the country now standing second only to the United States in the number of universities featured. This achievement not only showcases India’s academic strength but also inspires its institutions to aim for even higher global excellence in the years to come.