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Context:
An annual ranking assessing universities globally on environmental and social impact, sustainability research, governance, and alumni impact. It evaluates institutions’ contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through research, education, and societal outcomes.
Key Metrics:
- Environmental Research & Education
- Social Impact & Equality
- Knowledge Exchange & Alumni Outcomes
- Governance and Institutional Commitment to Sustainability
Global Top 5 Institutions (2026):
- Lund University, Sweden (=3 in 2025)
- University of Toronto, Canada
- UCL, UK (=5 in 2025)
- University of Edinburgh, UK (=7 in 2025)
- University of British Columbia, Canada (=5 in 2025)
India’s Performance in QS Sustainability Rankings 2026
- No Indian institution made it to the top 200 globally.
- Top Indian Institutions & Global Ranks:
- IIT Delhi: 205 (down from 171 in 2025)
- IIT Bombay: 236 (down from 235)
- IIT Kharagpur: 236 (down from 202)
- IIT Madras: 305 (down from 277)
- IIT Kanpur: 310 (down from 245)
- IISc Bangalore: 462 (down from 376)
- Among India’s top 10 institutions, 7 saw a drop in ranking compared to last year.
Performance Across Sustainability Indicators
| Lens / Indicator | Weight | Top Indian Institution | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Impact | 45% | IIT Delhi | 382 |
| Equality | 12% | Manipal Academy of Higher Ed | 441 |
| Knowledge Exchange | 10% | University of Delhi | 94 |
| Impact of Education | 7% | University of Delhi | 785 |
| Employability & Outcomes | 11% | IIT Delhi | 93 |
| Health & 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 |
Key Observations
- Indian universities lag behind global peers, particularly in environmental sustainability, alumni impact, and staff perception of climate commitment.
- QS highlighted that ranking drops are comparative—global peers have improved at a faster pace, not necessarily that Indian universities declined in absolute terms.
- The number of universities evaluated has increased, with more than 250 new entrants, intensifying competition.
India’s Overall Position
- Total Indian universities featured: 103
- Improved: 32
- Same rank: 15
- Dropped: 30
- Top-ranked Indian institution (IIT Delhi) remains outside top 200, indicating a need for stronger sustainability initiatives and visibility in research, education, and governance domains.
