&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "IIT Delhi becomes India's best university in QS sustainability ranking 2026, see top 10 list inside")
IIT Delhi has ranked first among all Indian educational institutes in the QS sustainability ranking in 2026, with altogether 103 institutions being ranked in the list and 26 debutants. The increased representation makes India the 4th largest contributor in the list. Lund University in Sweden have taken the top position globally among 2000 universities in the QS sustainability ranking globally. Quacquarelli Symonds releases several other university rankings, the most recognised being the annual QS World University Rankings. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) ranks first for the 12th consecutive year.
Methodology of the sustainability ranking
The 2000 University were ranked based on three categories: Environmental Impact, Social Impact, and Governance. These three categories were measured based on several indicators, such as environmental research, sustainability education, equality, employability, and health and well-being. The QS analysts used Scopus data for research metrics, reputational surveys of academics and employees.
Top 10 Universities in India
Here are the Top 10 Indian universities in QS sustainability ranking 2026.
| Rank (India) | Rank (Global) | Institutions | Score |
| 1 | 205 | Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) | 83.1 |
| 2 | 235 | Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) | 81.4 |
| 3 | 236 | Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) | 81.3 |
| 4 | 305 | Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) | 77.3 |
| 5 | 310 | Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) | 77.0 |
| 6 | 352 | Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) | 74.9 |
| 7 | 352 | Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore | 74.9 |
| 8 | 462 | Indian Institute of Science (IISc Bengaluru) | 70.5 |
| 9 | 467 | Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal | 70.3 |
| 10 | 672 | Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi | 62.5 |
Global Pattern
Globally United States has the highest number of universities in the list, 240, followed by China at 163, the UK at 109, and India at 103. The usual trend continued, funding structures, mature governance models and extensive international research network have propelled North America and Europe to the top.
