QS Sustainability Rankings 2026: India Misses Top 200
Why in the news
The 2026 QS Sustainability Rankings, which grade universities on environmental and social impact, research, governance and alumni outcomes, showed Indian institutions slipping against global peers.
Global top 5
- Lund University (Sweden)
- University of Toronto (Canada)
- UCL (UK)
- University of Edinburgh (UK)
- University of British Columbia (Canada)
Indian institutions: movement in rank
| Previous rank | Rank in 2026 | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 171 | 205 | IIT Delhi |
| 235 | 236 | IIT Bombay |
| 202 | 236 | IIT Kharagpur |
| 277 | 305 | IIT Madras |
| 245 | 310 | IIT Kanpur |
| 376 | 462 | IISc Bangalore |
India’s best by lens
- Social Impact (weight 45%): IIT Delhi, 382nd globally.
- Equality (12%): Manipal Academy of Higher Education, 441.
- Knowledge Exchange (10%): University of Delhi, 94.
- Impact of Education (7%): University of Delhi, 785.
- Employability and Outcomes (11%): IIT Delhi, 93.
- Health and Wellbeing (5%): IIT Roorkee, 537.
- Environmental Impact (45%): IIT Bombay, 100.
- Environmental Sustainability (15%): IIT Kharagpur, 49.
- Environmental Education (17%): IISc Bangalore, 42.
- Environmental Research (13%): IIT Kharagpur, 291.
- Governance (10%): University of Delhi, 187.
Observations
- India is weaker than peers on environmental sustainability, alumni impact and staff views on climate commitment.
- QS stresses the declines are relative: competitors improved faster, and over 250 new entrants joined the field.
- Stronger sustainability work and visibility are needed in research, education and governance.
Exam angle
- Global number one: Lund University; best Indian: IIT Delhi at 205.
- Ranking body: QS.