The QS World University Rankings for 2026 were unveiled on Thursday, showcasing the top educational institutions globally. This year, 54 Indian universities made it to the prestigious list, with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi leading the way as the highest-ranked institution in India.

The sustainability score evaluates various aspects of an institution's operations, including waste management, energy efficiency, student welfare, transparency, and ethical decision-making.

IIT Delhi stands out as the premier higher education institution in India, securing the 123rd position globally with an impressive sustainability score of 79.9.

Following closely is IIT Bombay, which ranks 129th overall and boasts a sustainability score of 75.2.

Next is IIT Madras, holding the 180th position with a sustainability score of 73.

IIT Kharagpur ranks 215th overall, achieving a sustainability score of 77.8.

The Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore ranks 219th, with a sustainability score of 66.3.

IIT Kanpur follows with an overall rank of 222 and a sustainability score of 74.7.

The University of Delhi is ranked 328th, with a sustainability score of 71.2.

IIT Guwahati ranks 334th, recording the lowest sustainability score among the top 10 Indian institutions at 43.

IIT Roorkee has an overall rank of 339 and a sustainability score of 57.5.

Finally, Anna University in Chennai ranks 465th, achieving a sustainability score of 64.5.

This year marks a significant milestone, as eight Indian universities have entered the QS Global University Rankings for the first time, indicating a positive trend in the quality of higher education in the country.

The inclusion of these new institutions reflects the ongoing improvements in India's higher education system.