THE World University Rankings 2026: IISc re-enters top 250; JMI, Saveetha rise sharply in India

After losing its position last year, the Indian Institute of Science has climbed up to feature in the top 250 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. Retaining the top spot in India, IISc Bangalore ranked in 201-250 this year at the global level. Anna University slipped by several ranks to 801-1000 while Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences jumped to the second position in India.

Instead of Mahatma Gandhi University, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) secured a place in the 401-500 band while Shoolini University retained its rank.

Along with IIT Indore, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), KIIT University, Lovely Professional University (LPU), University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) ranked in the 501-600 band. MGU lost its last year’s rank and featured in this band.

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Again 14 institutions have emerged in the 601-800 belt with Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Chitkara University, Panjab University, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Amity University, Malviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Symbiosis International University, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna, International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad, and VIT University retaining their positions.

BITS Pilani loses rank, NIT Rourkela climbs up

Others which ranked in this range are Bharathiar University, Central University of Punjab, and Sharda University. Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) climbed one spot up from last year’s 801-1000, while NIT Rourkela which was placed in top 1,000 universities improved its scores, to feature in this band.

Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences (BITS) Pilani came down to 801-1000 band in THE rankings 2026. NIT Silchar, NIT Tiruchirappalli joined Jamia Hamdard and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to shine in this belt.