Delhi University Rises to 241 in QS World Ranking
Updated on: 20 Nov 2025
Introduction
The University of Delhi (DU) has made significant strides in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026, climbing an impressive 58 places from last year’s position of 299 to 241 globally. This achievement is particularly notable given the increased competition, with the number of participating universities rising from 1,744 to 2,002.
Ranking Highlights
With this latest ranking, Delhi University has established itself as one of the top institutions in India, currently holding the position of the fourth-best university in the country and ranking 36th in Asia. Notably, DU is the only Indian institution among the national Top 5 to have improved its ranking this year.
Indian Universities in the Rankings
Despite the improvements seen by Delhi University, none of the Indian universities have made it into the Top 200 of the QS World Rankings. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi is the highest-ranked Indian institution at 205, a drop from last year’s ranking of 171. Following IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay is ranked at 235, and IIT Kharagpur at 236.
Performance Across Key Pillars
Delhi University’s rise in the QS Sustainability Rankings can be attributed to its strong performance across all three major pillars: Environmental Impact, Social Impact, and Governance. These improvements reflect a broad-based enhancement in both academic and institutional performance.
Environmental Impact
In the Environmental Impact category, DU made a remarkable leap, increasing its score from 69.0 to 80.6. A standout improvement was observed in Environmental Education, where the university surged from Rank 388 to 53, marking a substantial gain of 335 places—one of the largest national improvements in this area. Additionally, DU improved its position in Environmental Research, moving from 664 to 616, indicating a stronger output of sustainability-linked research aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Social Impact
In the Social Impact pillar, DU also recorded notable progress, climbing from Rank 478 to 435 globally, with its score rising from 69.9 to 77.4. This improvement was driven by advancements in key areas such as Knowledge Exchange, which increased from 91.8 to 96.5, and Employability & Opportunities, which rose from 68.5 to 80.3.
Statements from University Leadership
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh emphasized that the rankings reflect DU’s commitment to environmental responsibility, social equity, and ethical governance. He noted that the university’s upward movement is attributed to improved sustainability-focused research, stronger collaborations, enhanced student wellbeing measures, and initiatives funded by the Institution of Eminence (IoE).
Conclusion
Delhi University’s rise in the QS World University Rankings is a testament to its ongoing efforts to enhance its academic reputation and commitment to sustainability. As the university continues to innovate and improve, it remains a key player in the higher education landscape, both in India and globally.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on the latest available data as of November 2025.
