IISc Bangalore Leads Indian Universities in World Rankings 2025 but Sees Drop from 2024

World University Rankings 2025: IISc Bangalore Shines Yet Slips Compared to Last Year

Times Higher Education World University Rankings is an annual publication that ranks the universities around the world. The latest 2025 rankings featured more than 2000 institutions from 115 countries, in this list the University of Oxford topped and grabbed first rank for the ninth consecutive year, followed by MIT and Stanford. In Indian universities, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore was the highest-ranked, landing in the 251-300 band this year, down from the 201-250 band in 2024.

In contrast, Anna University, Mahatma Gandhi University, and Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management, which were in the 501-600 band last year, made notable improvements by securing positions in the 401-500 band this year. IIT Indore has made a significant leap this year, securing a spot in the rankings after not being listed in 2024. UPES has also shown impressive improvement, moving from the 801-1000 band last year to the 501-600 band in the 2025 rankings. Jamia Millia Islamia has maintained its position in the 501-600 band this year. Similarly, Aligarh Muslim University and Banaras Hindu University have both been placed in the 601-800 band for 2025.

The ranking methodology used 18 performance indicators, organized into five main areas. These areas assess Teaching (the learning environment), Research Environment (volume, income, and reputation), Research Quality (including citation impact and research excellence), International Outlook (looking at staff, students, and research), and Industry (focusing on income and patents). This comprehensive approach provides a thorough evaluation of each institution's strengths and contributions to education and research. Notably though, no Indian higher educational institution made it into the top 100 this year.

Editor’s Note: 

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings are recognized worldwide and provide universities with global prestige and visibility. This ranking helps parents, students, and educators to make an informed decision while choosing the universities for higher education. This year Indian universities faced difficulties in making their positions in the international arena, although leading institutions such as IISc Bangalore continue to hold its rank. A few universities show the advancements in rank such as  Anna University and IIT Indore.  The significance of research quality, teaching, and worldwide collaboration as critical components in raising educational standards is highlighted by this year's rankings. 

Skoobuzz hopes that Indian universities will continue to improve their standing in international rankings, by keeping concentrating on the five key areas mentioned.