India Second in Asian University Representation, Trails China in QS Rankings 2026
China has overtaken India as the most represented country in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026. India places second with 294 universities, showing significant growth. The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi remains India’s top-ranked university, excelling in research productivity and staff with PhDs, while internationalisation remains an area needing improvement. The University of Hong Kong leads the overall Asian rankings.
The QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026 reveal a shift in higher education prominence within the region, with China now surpassing India in the number of ranked institutions. India, despite losing the top spot, has increased its representation substantially, with 294 universities listed—a notable achievement reflecting the country’s expanding higher education sector. The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi continues to be India’s highest-ranked university, recognized particularly for its research output and the quality of its academic staff, many of whom hold PhDs. However, the article highlights that Indian universities still face challenges, especially in the area of internationalisation, which is identified as a key area for future growth. The University of Hong Kong retains its position as the leading university in Asia overall, according to the QS rankings. The article underscores both the progress and the areas needing attention for India’s academic institutions as they compete on a regional and global scale.
