India’s premier institutions - Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) - have long been held in high esteem domestically. But now, global rankings are playing an increasingly pivotal role in shaping their future. As of QS World Rankings 2026, IIT Delhi secured its highest-ever position among Indian universities, rising to joint 123rd globally, up from 150 in 2025 and 197 in 2024, reflecting improvements in academic reputation and employer perception.

On the IIM side, the QS Global MBA 2026 placed IIM Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Calcutta among the top 100 business schools worldwide. IIM Bangalore leads India among them in this ranking. These rankings drive several tangible benefits:

• They enhance global visibility, helping attract foreign students and faculty.

• They improve chances for international collaborations and research funding.

• They influence employer perceptions, boosting placement opportunities.

However, gaps remain. IITs often lag globally in research impact, employer reputation, and international faculty/student ratio. To close these gaps, there is growing pressure to ramp up high-quality research output, improve global industry linkages, and increase funding for innovation and faculty development.

For IITs and IIMs, global rankings aren’t just about prestige - they’re becoming crucial metrics that can shape policy, investment, and the institutions’ ability to compete globally.