India's capital, Delhi, has been ranked the world's most affordable student city, according to the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026. The report, released by global education consultancy QS Quacquarelli Symonds, evaluated 150 cities globally on parameters such as affordability, safety, employer activity, and quality of life.

Delhi secured the top position globally in affordability, while Mumbai and Bengaluru also made it to the top 15 in this category. Mumbai re-entered the global top 100 at 98th, Delhi climbed to 104th, Bengaluru to 108th, and Chennai improved to 128th.

QS CEO Jessica Turner highlighted that India’s progress reflects the impact of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which has increased international visibility and student-centric learning.

In employer activity, Mumbai and Delhi ranked among the top 50 globally, while Bengaluru and Chennai saw sharp improvements, indicating strong job prospects for graduates.

The rise of Indian cities in the rankings showcases India's growing global academic presence and its appeal to international students as a value-for-money education destination.