IITs Shine in QS World Rankings Amidst Challenges for India's Higher Education

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) Bombay and Delhi have achieved significant improvements in the QS World University Rankings 2025. However, India's higher education sector still faces global challenges in employability, sustainability, and internationalisation. The need for enhancing job-relevant skills, sustainability initiatives, and international collaboration is crucial.

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) Bombay and Delhi have made notable strides in the QS World University Rankings 2025, with IIT Bombay climbing to the 118th position and IIT Delhi securing the 150th spot. MIT continues its reign at the top, marking its 13th consecutive year as the global leader.

While India celebrates these accomplishments, challenges persist. A senior QS official pointed out that India's Employment Outcomes score is significantly below the global average, emphasizing the urgency of bridging the gap between job market demands and graduate skills. Additionally, the country's sustainability score also lags, highlighting the need for more robust sustainability initiatives within higher education.

Internationalisation remains another critical area for improvement. India's international faculty and student ratios are far below global standards, underscoring the necessity for increased international collaboration and exchange programs. The current international student proportion stands at 2.9%, way behind the global average of 26.5%, and the international faculty score is only 9.3. Furthermore, India's faculty and student ratio is also below the global average, indicating the need for strategic focus on faculty recruitment and retention.