THE World University Rankings: This university is at number 1 for the 10th year, where are the Indian institutions in the list?

The Times Higher Education (THE) ‘World University Rankings 2026’ highlights the significant changes taking place in global higher education. At the global level, this report reflects the challenging times. The rankings of many top institutions of USA have declined. For the first time in 10 years, major universities in Asia are missing from the top position in the list. There is no improvement in the ranks of institutions like China’s Tsinghua University, Peking University and National University of Singapore (NUS).

US is ahead in top 10, but overall decline has been recorded

In this ranking, America’s dominance remains in the top 10. 7 universities of America are included in the list. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is in second place. At the same time, Princeton University has reached joint third place due to improvement in teaching and resource quality.

The widespread decline of American institutions

Despite a strong hold on the top 10, the US higher education sector is showing worrying trends at a broader level: there are 6 fewer American universities in the top 20 and 3 fewer in the top 100 than last year. The total number of American institutions in the top 500 is 102. This is the highest decline so far. 25 US universities, including premier institutions like the University of Chicago (15th), Columbia University (20th), have recorded their lowest rankings ever.

The world is watching the strength of UK

UK has maintained its strength at the top. The ranking includes Oxford (1), Cambridge (joint 3) and Imperial College London (8). Of the 105 UK universities ranked, 27% have fallen in rank. For the first time in the UK, there are only 49 universities from 50 in the top 500. There has been a significant decline in the ranking of 12 universities, including the London School of Economics (52nd).

Asian institutions missing from top ranking

Asian institutions had a strong hold in this ranking for many years. But this year his ranking has declined.

• The ranking of China’s elite institutions is stable. 21% of Chinese universities have improved their rankings.
• South Korean universities have shown tremendous growth in research quality. Four institutes here are in the list of top 100.
• The University of Tokyo is ranked 26th. This is his highest rank till date.
• Hong Kong has 6 universities in the top 200.
• Indonesia showed the greatest improvement in the average score. 35 universities here are included in the ranking. This is a big increase compared to a decade ago.

Ranking of Indian Institutions

Name of Institute	rank
IISc	between 201-250
Jamia Millia Islamia	between 401-500
Banaras Hindu University	between 501-600
IIT Indore	between 501-600
Mahatma Gandhi University	between 501-600
Aligarh Muslim University	between 601-800