Challenges for Indian Universities in QS 2026 Rankings

Why Indian Universities Miss Top 100 in QS 2026 Rankings: Challenges Ahead

India, with its vast population of over 1.4 billion people and a rapidly growing economy that ranks among the top 10 globally, has long aspired to establish itself as a leader in higher education. Yet, despite these strengths, Indian universities continue to fall short of breaking into the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings. The 2026 edition of the rankings underscores this ongoing challenge, with institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) and IIT Bombay (IITB) as the closest contenders, though still positioned outside the elite tier.

While Indian universities demonstrate notable strengths in research output and employer reputation, they face substantial barriers that hinder their global competitiveness. This article explores the key challenges preventing Indian institutions from achieving top-tier status in global higher education rankings, with a focus on limited internationalization, poor faculty-student ratios, weak international research networks, and systemic structural issues.

Limited Internationalization

One of the most significant hurdles Indian universities face is their limited internationalization, a critical factor in global rankings. Internationalization encompasses the ability to attract and retain international faculty and students, fostering a diverse academic environment that enhances both teaching and research. However, Indian institutions struggle in this area due to a combination of bureaucratic obstacles, funding constraints, and a predominantly domestic focus.

Bureaucratic visa regulations pose a major barrier to attracting international talent. The process for obtaining work or study visas in India is often lengthy and cumbersome, involving multiple layers of approvals and documentation. This complexity discourages foreign academics and students from pursuing opportunities at Indian universities, especially when compared to countries with more streamlined immigration processes. For instance, a hypothetical scenario might involve an international scholar facing delays of several months to secure a visa, only to find that the academic term has already begun by the time approval is granted. Such inefficiencies make India less competitive in the global academic market.

Funding constraints further exacerbate the issue. Indian universities often lack the financial resources to offer competitive salaries and benefits to international faculty, who may be accustomed to higher remuneration in other countries. Additionally, limited budgets restrict the development of infrastructure tailored to international students, such as dedicated housing, language support, and cultural integration programs. Without these resources, Indian institutions struggle to create an appealing environment for foreign scholars and learners.

Moreover, the domestic focus of Indian universities limits their global outreach. Many institutions prioritize serving local students and addressing national priorities, which, while important, reduces their capacity to engage with the international academic community. This inward-looking approach hinders the development of global partnerships and collaborations, further isolating Indian universities from the broader academic ecosystem.

In contrast, top-ranked universities worldwide, such as those in the United States, United Kingdom, and Singapore, actively prioritize internationalization. They implement proactive recruitment strategies, offer competitive packages to attract top talent, and foster diverse academic communities that enhance both teaching and research. For Indian universities to compete, they must address these barriers by streamlining visa processes, increasing funding for international initiatives, and adopting a more global outlook.

Poor Faculty-Student Ratio

Another critical weakness affecting Indian universities is their poor faculty-student ratio. This metric, which measures the number of students per faculty member, is a key indicator of teaching quality and academic support. A low ratio allows for more personalized instruction, greater student engagement, and enhanced research supervision—hallmarks of top-tier institutions. However, Indian universities often face faculty shortages while managing high student enrollments, resulting in strained teaching resources.

The implications of a poor faculty-student ratio are far-reaching. With fewer faculty members available to teach and mentor students, the quality of education suffers. Large class sizes make it difficult for instructors to provide individualized attention, reducing opportunities for meaningful student-teacher interactions. This can lead to a more passive learning environment, where students are less likely to engage deeply with course material or pursue independent research. Additionally, overworked faculty may have less time for research and professional development, further impacting the institution's academic output.

For example, in a hypothetical Indian university with a faculty-student ratio of 1:30, a single professor might be responsible for teaching and grading hundreds of students across multiple courses. This workload leaves little room for personalized feedback or mentorship, diminishing the overall educational experience. In contrast, leading global universities maintain ratios closer to 1:10 or lower, ensuring that faculty can dedicate sufficient time to each student.

The root causes of faculty shortages in India are multifaceted. Limited hiring budgets restrict universities' ability to recruit and retain qualified academics, particularly in competitive fields like engineering and technology. Bureaucratic constraints, such as lengthy approval processes for new hires, further exacerbate the problem. Additionally, high student enrollment, driven by India's large population and growing demand for higher education, places immense pressure on existing faculty resources.

To address this challenge, Indian universities must prioritize faculty recruitment and retention. This could involve increasing budgets for academic hiring, streamlining administrative processes, and offering competitive salaries and benefits to attract top talent. By improving the faculty-student ratio, institutions can enhance the quality of education and better support both teaching and research.

Weak International Research Networks

While Indian universities demonstrate strengths in research output, particularly in fields like engineering and technology, they often fall behind in fostering international research networks. Global research collaborations are essential for enhancing the visibility, impact, and innovation of academic work. However, Indian institutions face significant challenges in building these networks, limiting their ability to compete with top-tier universities.

One of the primary obstacles is insufficient funding for collaborative projects. International research partnerships often require substantial financial resources to support joint initiatives, travel, and shared infrastructure. Indian universities, operating on modest budgets, may struggle to allocate the necessary funds for such endeavors. This financial constraint limits their capacity to engage in large-scale, high-impact collaborations with global partners.

Bureaucratic hurdles also play a role in restricting the formation of international alliances. Complex approval processes for research grants, partnerships, and data sharing can delay or derail collaborative efforts. For instance, a hypothetical research project involving Indian and foreign universities might face months of administrative delays due to differing regulatory requirements, reducing the project's timeliness and relevance.

The lack of robust international research networks has several implications. First, it reduces the global visibility of Indian research, as collaborative work is more likely to be published in high-impact journals and cited by the international academic community. Second, it limits access to advanced facilities, diverse perspectives, and cutting-edge methodologies that global partnerships can provide. Finally, it hinders the development of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research, which is increasingly valued in today's interconnected world.

Leading universities worldwide, such as those in the United States and Europe, benefit from extensive research networks supported by substantial funding and institutional support. For Indian universities to bridge this gap, they must prioritize the development of global partnerships. This could involve increasing funding for collaborative research, simplifying administrative processes, and actively seeking out international alliances. By doing so, Indian institutions can enhance their research impact and global standing.

Systemic and Structural Challenges

Beyond specific metrics, Indian universities face deep-rooted systemic and structural challenges that hinder their progress in global rankings. These issues, including chronic underfunding, bureaucratic obstacles, and a focus on undergraduate education, create an environment that is less conducive to academic excellence and innovation.

Underfunding is perhaps the most pressing issue. Indian universities operate on budgets that are a fraction of those enjoyed by their global counterparts. For example, while top-tier universities in the United States may have annual budgets exceeding $1 billion, Indian institutions, even elite ones like the IITs, often work with budgets of $100–200 million. This disparity limits investments in critical areas such as infrastructure, faculty recruitment, and research facilities. Without adequate funding, Indian universities struggle to provide the resources necessary for cutting-edge research, modern teaching facilities, and competitive faculty salaries.

Bureaucratic hurdles further compound these challenges. Rigid academic policies, lengthy approval processes, and centralized decision-making reduce the flexibility and autonomy of Indian universities. For instance, introducing new courses or research programs often requires multiple layers of government approval, delaying innovation and responsiveness to emerging academic trends. Additionally, visa restrictions and complex hiring procedures make it difficult to recruit international faculty and students, as discussed earlier.

The emphasis on undergraduate education also diverts resources from research and graduate programs, which are critical for global rankings. Indian universities, particularly the IITs, are known for their rigorous undergraduate programs, which attract large numbers of students through competitive entrance exams. However, this focus often comes at the expense of graduate education and research output. In contrast, top global universities balance undergraduate and graduate programs, with a strong emphasis on research-driven education.

Other systemic issues include scalability challenges, as India struggles to meet the educational demands of its massive population. With only 54 universities featured in the QS 2026 rankings, compared to hundreds from countries like the United States and China, India faces a shortage of quality institutions. This gap reflects broader issues in the higher education sector, including inequitable resource distribution and underinvestment in non-elite universities.

To overcome these challenges, Indian universities must advocate for increased funding, streamlined regulations, and a greater focus on research and graduate education. Policy reforms that promote institutional autonomy, reduce bureaucratic red tape, and encourage global engagement are essential for fostering an environment conducive to academic excellence.

Conclusion

The QS 2026 rankings highlight the persistent challenges Indian universities face in reaching the top 100. Limited internationalization, poor faculty-student ratios, weak global research networks, and systemic constraints continue to hold them back. While Indian institutions demonstrate strengths in research output and employer reputation, these are not enough to offset the broader structural issues that hinder their global competitiveness.

To compete with the world’s best, Indian universities must address these challenges through strategic reforms. This includes increasing funding for higher education, streamlining bureaucratic processes, and prioritizing internationalization efforts such as recruiting international faculty and students. Additionally, a shift toward research-driven education and the development of global research networks is essential for enhancing academic impact and visibility.

By tackling these issues head-on, Indian universities can begin to close the gap with global leaders and claim their place among the world’s elite institutions. The path forward requires not only institutional commitment but also broader policy support to transform India’s higher education landscape into one that matches its demographic and economic potential.