New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the historic rise in the number of Indian universities featured in the latest QS Asia University Rankings 2026, calling it a proud moment that reflects India’s growing global stature in higher education.
According to the rankings released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), India’s presence has seen a remarkable jump from just 24 universities in 2016 to an impressive 294 in 2026 — the country’s highest-ever representation. The Prime Minister praised this milestone as a result of India’s unwavering focus on quality education, research, and innovation.
“I am delighted to see Indian institutions scaling new heights in global education. Our government is committed to ensuring that young people have access to world-class education and opportunities for research,” PM Modi said in his statement.
Leading the charge among Indian institutions, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IISc Bengaluru, and the University of Delhi have all secured spots among Asia’s top 100 universities, showcasing India’s growing academic excellence and global competitiveness.
Education experts have hailed this as a transformative moment for India’s higher education landscape, crediting national initiatives like the National Education Policy (NEP), increased research funding, and global collaborations for driving this progress.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the journey doesn’t end here, urging continued efforts to strengthen research culture, innovation, and institutional capacity to make India a true hub of global learning in the years to come.
