As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on how Indian universities performed in global rankings this year. While progress has been evident, challenges persist in achieving parity with world-leading institutions.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, IIT Delhi, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru continued to dominate among Indian institutions, securing top positions in various international rankings. Notably, IISc cemented its reputation in research and innovation, ranking high for its focus on science and technology.
In the QS World University Rankings 2024, several Indian institutions made significant strides. IIT Bombay climbed into the top 150 globally, showcasing improvements in academic reputation and employer perceptions. Meanwhile, IISc received accolades for citations per faculty, reflecting its strong research output.
The Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings also featured Indian universities prominently. IISc and IIT Delhi earned recognition for their advancements in global research collaborations and teaching standards. However, the gap in international diversity and funding remained a hurdle for many Indian universities.
Government initiatives like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and increased funding for higher education have started to bear fruit, with more institutions adopting interdisciplinary approaches and enhancing infrastructure.
While 2024 marked a year of progress, the journey to place Indian universities among the global top 50 remains ongoing. Focused efforts on internationalization, faculty quality, and research excellence will be crucial in the coming years.
