Indian universities are making a splash on the global academic stage! According to the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject, a whopping 69 Indian institutions secured a spot in the top 500, reflecting a significant 19.4% increase from last year. This remarkable progress highlights India’s growing strength in higher education.
Top Performers and Subject Diversity
Among the high achievers are the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta. These institutions continue their reign as global leaders, ranking within the top 50 for business and management studies. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) also emerged as a top contender, making its debut in the development studies category and securing an impressive 20th position worldwide.
The good news doesn’t stop there. This year’s rankings showcase India’s academic prowess across a wider range of subjects. A total of 424 entries from Indian universities found a place on the QS list, spanning an impressive 55 subject rankings and five broad faculty areas. This diversity reflects the well-rounded educational landscape that India is fostering.
Positive Signs for the Future
Experts see this positive trend as a promising sign for the future of Indian education. QS CEO Jessica Turner acknowledges the challenges India faces in meeting the growing demand for high-quality higher education. However, she commends the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for its ambitious goal of achieving a 50% gross enrolment ratio by 2035.
Turner also highlights the valuable role that well-regulated private institutions play in bolstering India’s higher education sector. The increased presence of Indian programs across various subject rankings is a testament to this.
Leading the Way in Research
India’s strides extend beyond the classroom and into the realm of research. The QS rankings reveal a 20% improvement in Citations per Paper, indicating a strong research output from Indian universities. There’s also been a 16% growth in the International Research Network indicator, signifying stronger research collaborations on a global scale.
However, there’s still room for improvement. While India’s research output has surged by 54% from 2017 to 2022, making it the world’s fourth-largest producer of research, securing citations in top international journals remains a challenge. Only 15% of India’s research was cited in these publications between 2017 and 2021.
A Force to be Reckoned With
Despite these challenges, QS Senior Vice President Ben Sowter is optimistic about India’s future in the global academic arena. He acknowledges India’s undeniable rise as a “formidable player” in the international academic community.
This sentiment is echoed by the QS ranking methodology itself. For subject rankings, QS considers factors like academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations per paper, and the H-index (a measure of research productivity and impact). Notably, six Indian universities ranked among the world’s top 10 for employer reputation in specific subjects, highlighting the strong industry value placed on graduates from these institutions.
