IIT-Hyderabad Climbs 76 Spots in QS World Rankings Due to Research Excellence

Research, International Collaborations Propel IIT-Hyderabad Up 76 Spots in QS World Rankings

Hyderabad: The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) has achieved its most significant leap in the QS World University Rankings, climbing 76 places from 664 to 588. The rankings, released on Thursday, highlighted research excellence and international collaborations as key drivers of this achievement. The institute also performed well in sustainability and academic reputation, with research citations emerging as the strongest factor behind its rise.

The research citations metric, which measures how often IIT-H’s published work is referenced globally, saw one of its best performances this year. “Our strongest parameter continues to be citations per faculty,” said Prof. Saurabh Shandilya, the institute’s QS ranking nodal coordinator. He emphasized that IIT-H is rapidly establishing itself as one of India’s fastest-growing technology institutions.

International research collaborations also played a crucial role in IIT-H’s improved ranking. The institute is currently engaged in a range of strategic projects, including those focused on 6G communications, autonomous navigation, semiconductors, AI-embedded engineering, healthcare, quantum technologies, and smart mobility. Additionally, IIT-H’s long-standing partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which facilitates joint research, faculty exchanges, and access to Japanese funding, has significantly bolstered its international standing. The institute is also expanding its collaborations with universities in Europe and the United States, with further improvements in this area being a priority.

IIT-H director, Prof. BS Murthy, attributed the institute’s success to the dedication of its faculty and students. “It was because of a lot of hard work by the brilliant faculty and an excellent student base,” he said. However, Prof. Murthy underscored that rankings are not the institute’s ultimate goal. “While the rankings are important, what is more important is the byproduct of this ranking,” he added.

The institute is currently focusing on promoting product-based PhDs, a model where industry directly funds research scholars to develop specific products. This year, IIT-H has introduced 25 such positions for the first time. Prof. Murthy emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “India needs builders who can come up with technologies and products for India to not only become Atmanirbhar but also contribute towards a Viksit Bharat.”

Sustainability has also been a key contributor to IIT-H’s rise in the rankings. Initiatives such as solar power generation, campus shuttle services, and a bicycle subsidy scheme—where the institute covers half the cost of purchasing bicycles for students—have been implemented. These efforts are overseen by a dedicated green office that also conducts plantation drives on campus.

Looking ahead, IIT-H aims to address the challenge of attracting more international students and faculty, a critical factor for Indian universities striving for greater global recognition. Adding to its recent achievements, the institute showcased three of its startups and technologies at an event in France, where India presented innovations from 130 higher education institutions to an audience of approximately 2,500 investors and corporates. The event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside the French president.