The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) has claimed the top position in India in the ‘QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025’, owing to notable improvements in eight key indicators, most notably in the staff with PhD category, where it advanced by 58 places.

IIT Bombay (IITB), which was last year's leader, has dropped to second place in India, although it remains the country's most renowned university in terms of academic and employer reputation. It ranks 27th in academic reputation and 16th in employer reputation globally.

Regionally, IIT Delhi improved its position to 44th rank from last year's 46th rank, surpassing IIT Bombay, which has slipped from 40th to 48th regionally. Other top universities such as IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, IISc, and IIT Kanpur also experienced a decline in rankings. IIT Bombay fell by eight ranks, IIT Madras dropped three ranks (from 53 to 56), IISc fell by four ranks (from 58 to 62), and IIT Kanpur dropped four ranks as well (from 63 to 67).

IIT Kharagpur saw a smaller dip, falling by just one rank (from 59 to 60). On a positive note, the University of Delhi (DU) made a significant jump of 13 ranks, moving from 94 to 81 this year.

Other universities ranking in the top 10 in India include IIT Guwahati at 8th in India and 104th regionally, IIT Roorkee at 108th regionally, and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) at 110th regionally.