QS Asia 2027: India adds 34 universities as IIT Delhi slips to 66th
By TUF News Desk · Published 3 November 2026 · 3 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
India now has more universities in a major Asian ranking than ever before, and its best-known names still slid down the table. Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) released the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2027 on November 3, 2026, with 325 Indian universities in the list. That is 34 more than last year and the second highest count in Asia, behind mainland China’s 448.
The headline numbers pull in two directions. India added universities faster than almost any other system, and its representation in the top 200 grew from 20 to 21. At the same time, every one of India’s six highest-ranked institutions fell, and 71% of its returning universities slipped. QS attributes the drops mainly to a more crowded field: the 2027 edition covers 1,722 universities from 26 higher education systems, with 195 new entrants.
India’s top 10 in Asia
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi remains India’s highest-ranked university, at 66th in Asia, down from 59th last year. The Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, follows at 79th, down from 64th. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay is third among Indian institutions at 83rd, down from 71st.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras placed 85th, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur 90th and Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur 97th. All six slipped from their 2026 positions, with Kanpur and Kharagpur recording some of the steepest falls inside the top 200.
The University of Delhi dropped out of the Asian top 100, falling from 95th to 106th. Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati placed 120th and Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee 124th, completing India’s top 10 in the table.
The risers: Chandigarh, LPU and JNU
Not every Indian university moved down. Chandigarh University climbed from 109th to 104th, its best rank so far, on the back of stronger research indicators. Lovely Professional University jumped from 187th to 154th, and Jawaharlal Nehru University edged up to 128th. Symbiosis International rose to 175th, and Manipal Academy of Higher Education reached 195th, taking India’s top-200 count to 21.
QS vice president Ashwin Fernandes said the results show the strength of India’s research output, doctoral capacity and employer reputation at its leading universities. The research claim holds up in the indicator data: five Indian universities feature in the regional top 10 for Papers per Faculty, more than any other higher education system, with IISc Bengaluru taking the top spot in that measure.
What the rankings mean for applicants
A rank slip in a year when 195 new universities joined the table is not the same as a decline in teaching quality. QS says academic reputation fell for 76% of Indian universities and employer reputation for 83%, while research productivity was the one indicator where more Indian universities rose than fell. For students comparing institutions, the full picture sits in the indicator scores rather than a single rank number.
Rankings are one input among several. Our guide to how NIRF rankings work explains what goes into India’s domestic tables and where their limits lie. The full QS Asia 2027 table is available in the official QS announcement.
Frequently asked questions
Which Indian university ranks highest in QS Asia 2027?
IIT Delhi, at 66th in Asia. It slipped from 59th last year but stays India’s top-ranked institution.
How many Indian universities are in QS Asia 2027?
325, including 34 new entrants. India is Asia’s second most represented system, behind mainland China with 448.
Why did so many Indian universities fall in the rankings?
QS points to tougher competition: 195 new universities entered this year’s table. Of India’s returning universities, 71% slipped, 18% rose and 11% held their place.
Which Indian universities improved the most?
Chandigarh University climbed to 104th, its best rank so far, and Lovely Professional University rose to 154th from 187th. Jawaharlal Nehru University edged up to 128th.
Frequently asked questions
Which Indian university ranks highest in QS Asia 2027?
IIT Delhi, at 66th in Asia. It slipped from 59th last year but stays India's top-ranked institution.
How many Indian universities are in QS Asia 2027?
325, including 34 new entrants. India is Asia's second most represented system, behind mainland China with 448.
Why did so many Indian universities fall in the rankings?
QS points to tougher competition: 195 new universities entered this year's table. Of India's returning universities, 71% slipped, 18% rose and 11% held their place.
Which Indian universities improved the most?
Chandigarh University climbed to 104th, its best rank so far, and Lovely Professional University rose to 154th from 187th. Jawaharlal Nehru University edged up to 128th.
Sources: NDTV, The Economic Times, Elets Digital Learning