Source: ET
Context
In June 2026, London (UK)-based global higher education analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) released the QS World University Rankings 2027 on 18 June 2026. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi ranked 118th globally with an overall score of 65.7, improving 5 places from 123rd and emerging as India’s highest-ranked institution for the second consecutive year. This is the highest global position ever achieved by an Indian institution in QS World University Rankings. MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) retained 1st place globally with a score of 100, while Imperial College London (UK) and Stanford University (USA) were jointly ranked 2nd with scores of 99.2.
The Rankings
- Released by: Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), London-based.
- Date of release: 18 June 2026.
- Edition: 23rd edition.
- Coverage: More than 1,500 universities across 106 countries and territories.
- Indian universities ranked: 52.
Top 3 Global Universities
| Rank | University | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | USA | 100 |
| 2 (joint) | Imperial College London | UK | 99.2 |
| 2 (joint) | Stanford University | USA | 99.2 |
Top 5 Indian Institutions
| Rank | Institution | Location | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 118 | IIT Delhi | Delhi | 65.7 |
| 134 | IIT Bombay | Maharashtra | – |
| 170 | IIT Madras | Tamil Nadu | – |
| 205 | IIT Kharagpur | West Bengal | – |
| 221 | IISc Bangalore | Karnataka | – |
IIT Delhi’s Performance Improvement
- Overall rank: Improved 5 places from 123rd to 118th.
- Employer Reputation: Improved 11 positions to 39th globally.
- Employment Outcomes: Jump of 60 positions.
- Citations per Faculty: Improved by 26 positions.
QS Rankings Methodology
QS evaluates universities based on 9 indicators in the 2027 edition:
| Indicator | Weight (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Academic Reputation | 30% |
| Employer Reputation | 15% |
| Citations per Faculty | 20% |
| Faculty-Student Ratio | 10% |
| International Faculty Ratio | 5% |
| International Student Ratio | 5% |
| International Research Network | 5% |
| Employment Outcomes | 5% |
| Sustainability | 5% |
India’s Growth in QS Rankings
| Edition | Indian Universities Ranked | India’s Top Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 11 | IIT Delhi at 235 |
| 2023 | 41 | IIT Delhi at 174 |
| 2026 | 54 | IIT Delhi at 123 |
| 2027 | 52 | IIT Delhi at 118 |
About QS (Quacquarelli Symonds)
- Founded: 1990 by Nunzio Quacquarelli.
- Headquartered: London, United Kingdom.
- Type: Higher education analytics firm.
- First QS World University Rankings: 2004 (with Times Higher Education, separated in 2010).
- Other rankings: QS Asia, QS Latin America, QS Subject Rankings, QS BRICS, QS Stars.
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the QS World University Rankings 2027, consider the following statements:
- IIT Delhi ranked 118th globally, improving from 123rd in the previous edition.
- MIT retained 1st place globally with a perfect score of 100.
- Imperial College London and Stanford University were jointly ranked 2nd with scores of 99.2.
- The rankings were released by Times Higher Education.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; the rankings were released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), NOT Times Higher Education.)
Q2. With reference to the top Indian institutions in QS World University Rankings 2027, consider the following statements:
- IIT Delhi ranked 118th and was India’s highest-ranked institution.
- IIT Bombay ranked 134th globally.
- IIT Madras ranked 170th globally.
- IIT Kharagpur ranked higher than IISc Bangalore.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(IIT Kharagpur at 205 ranks higher than IISc Bangalore at 221.)
Q3. With reference to India’s coverage in QS World University Rankings 2027, consider the following statements:
- 52 Indian universities were ranked in QS World University Rankings 2027.
- India is now the 4th most represented country after USA, UK, and Mainland China.
- India had only 11 universities ranked in 2014.
- No Indian institution has entered the global Top 100 yet.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q4. With reference to QS Quacquarelli Symonds, consider the following statements:
- QS is a London-based global higher education analytics firm.
- The QS World University Rankings was first published in 2004 in partnership with Times Higher Education.
- QS separated from Times Higher Education in 2010.
- QS also publishes QS Asia, QS Subject, and QS BRICS rankings.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q5. With reference to QS methodology in the 2027 edition, consider the following statements:
- Academic Reputation has the highest weightage at about 30 per cent.
- Citations per Faculty has a weightage of about 20 per cent.
- Sustainability is one of the indicators added in recent editions.
- International Faculty Ratio has the highest weightage.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; Academic Reputation has the highest weight, NOT International Faculty Ratio.)
Answer Key
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because QS released the rankings.
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Academic Reputation has the highest weight.
