Yearender: How did Indian universities perform across global rankings in 2024?
Indian universities in global rankings 2024: In a year marked by global shifts in educational policies and fierce academic competition, Indian universities made notable strides across international rankings in 2024. As the year concludes, a review of Indian universities’ performance across major global rankings show a steady progress and evolving influence of Indian institutions. From the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings to the QS World University Rankings and Financial Times MBA Rankings, Indian institutions showcased a mix of consistency, improvement, and opportunities for growth.
Indian universities in THE World rankings 2024
The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 painted a stable yet slightly varied picture for Indian universities. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, a consistent top performer, was ranked in the 201-250 band, maintaining its position from the previous year. However, other universities showed marked improvements or maintained their rankings. In total, 91 Indian universities appeared in the 2024 THE rankings, a notable increase from 75 in 2023. Here’s a list of universities worth noting:
- Anna University leapt from the 801-1000 band in 2023 to the 501-600 band.
- Mahatma Gandhi University climbed back to the 501-600 band after dropping to the 401-500 band.
- Jamia Millia Islamia held steady within the 501-600 band.
- Shoolini University joined the 501-600 group, reflecting enhanced global visibility.
IITs dominate Indian universities in QS World Rankings 2024
The QS World University Rankings 2024 presented a strong showing for India, with 69 Indian universities listed, making it the second-most represented Asian country after China. The rankings were dominated by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other leading institutions:
- IIT Bombay ranked highest among the Indian cohort, with its position at 149th globally.
- IIT Delhi followed, ranking 197th.
- IISc Bangalore, while consistently ranked in THE, saw a QS ranking of 225th.
- Other significant appearances included IIT Kharagpur (271st) and IIT Kanpur (278th).
India’s strategy of focusing on institutes of eminence paid off, as they accounted for approximately 40% of the country’s total entries. This strategy emphasised investment in key areas such as research and innovation to elevate global competitiveness.
Indian Business schools shine in Financial Times MBA Rankings
Indian business schools continued to shine in the Financial Times MBA Rankings 2024, underscoring their reputation for providing world-class management education. The Indian School of Business (ISB) led among Indian institutions, securing an impressive 31st position globally. Other top performers included:
Trends across rankings: Challenges remain despite progress
Across the three rankings, IISc Bangalore stood out as a consistent performer, although with minor fluctuations depending on the methodology used.
The IITs maintained their reputation as hubs of technical and research excellence, with IIT Bombay continuing to lead in both QS and THE rankings. Notably, universities like Anna University and Mahatma Gandhi University found their mention in the rankings highlighting the improvement of India’s higher education ecosystem beyond the traditional institutions.
The increase in the number of ranked universities, especially in THE rankings, suggests that India’s concerted efforts to improve research output, international collaboration, and academic quality are yielding visible results. A similar trend can be noted with the improved performance of business schools in the Financial Times MBA rankings.
Indian universities in 2024 demonstrated commendable progress across global rankings. Despite these advancements, Indian universities still face challenges that hinder them from breaking into the top tier globally. Factors such as funding limitations, research output quality, and international collaborations need addressing for sustained improvement among key players globally.
