QS World University Rankings 2027: IIT Delhi Emerges as India's No.1 University, Ranked 118th Globally

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has launched the QS World University Rankings 2027 on its website at topuniversities.com. The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) has become the top-ranked Indian university in this year’s rankings, securing the 118th spot globally. The latest rankings include 52 Indian universities, a significant jump from just 14 institutions a decade ago. Now, India ranks fifth among all countries in terms of the number of universities represented in the rankings, behind the United States, the United Kingdom, mainland China, and Germany.

QS World University Rankings 2027: Top Indian Institutes

IIT Delhi has matched the best ever position achieved by an Indian university in the QS rankings. Previously, IIT Bombay held the top spot at 129th in the 2026 rankings.Here are the top-performing Indian universities in this year’s rankings. IIT Kanpur and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore are both ranked 221st. The University of Delhi is the top-ranked non-STEM university from India in this edition.

India Performance Overview in QS Rankings 2027

Out of the 52 Indian universities in the rankings, 26 have improved their global positions. Nine universities have remained stable, while 15 have seen a decline.Two new Indian universities have entered the rankings for the first time. In this edition, 18 Indian universities have reached their highest-ever ranking. The progress is now being seen in a broader range of institutions, not just the top IITs.

Notable Climbers Beyond the IITs

1. Vellore Institute of Technology has jumped 94 places to rank 597th.
2. Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani has climbed 93 places to 575th.
3. Shoolini University has moved up 51 spots to 452nd.
4. Chandigarh University has risen 49 places to 526th.
5. Jamia Millia Islamia has advanced over 75 places to rank 686th.

Where are Indian Universities Performing Strongly?

Indian universities have shown notable improvements in research impact and employability. Eleven Indian universities have made it into the world’s top 100 for citations per faculty, with Bharathiar University ranked 75th on its debut. In terms of employability, the University of Mumbai is ranked 25th globally, while the University of Delhi stands at 35th. Six Indian universities also appear in the global top 100 for employer reputation.

Areas Where India Still Lags

Internationalisation remains a challenge for most Indian universities. Around 90% of ranked Indian institutions have not improved their international student numbers. Only one Indian university appears in the world’s top 500 for international faculty representation. Academic reputation has also seen limited growth. Only 8% of Indian institutions have improved on this measure, while around 28% have seen a decline.

India Versus Other Major Higher Education Systems

How to Check Your University Rank on the Official QS Portal?

Students can view the full QS World University Rankings 2027 on the official QS website. The process is straightforward and the data is available for free.

• Visit the official QS website at topuniversities.com.
• Open the QS World University Rankings 2027 page.
• Use the country filter and select India to view Indian institutions.
• Click on a university name to see its detailed performance.
• Register for a free QS account to download the Excel data table.

Action Plan for Students

• Visit the official QS rankings page at topuniversities.com.
• Shortlist Indian universities based on your desired course and preferred rank range.
• Review each university’s score on research, employability, and faculty quality.
• Compare global rank with NIRF rank before making a decision.
• Keep track of admission dates and eligibility criteria on the official websites of the universities you are interested in.