UPSC Editorial Analysis: India in QS World University Rankings 2024–25

*General Studies-2; Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.*

Introduction

• The latest QS World University Rankings by Subject (2024–25) bring a mixed bag for Indian higher education.

• While the number of Indian institutions featured has increased, and nine institutions now feature in the top 50 globally in various subjects, persistent structural and systemic limitations continue to restrict India’s global academic competitiveness.

• This development offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead.

Key Highlights from the 2024–25 QS Rankings

• 79 Indian universities feature in the QS Subject Rankings this year — 10 more than in 2023.

• Indian universities appeared 533 times across various subjects, showing a 25.7% year-on-year increase.

• Nine institutions ranked in the top 50 globally in their specific subject domains.

• Strongest representation in: Engineering – 24 institutions Social Sciences – 20 institutions Natural Sciences – 19 institutions

• Engineering – 24 institutions

• Social Sciences – 20 institutions

• Natural Sciences – 19 institutions

• Some top-ranked Indian institutions, however, saw a dip in their subject-wise rankings due to stagnation in research output or international collaboration.

Scale of the Indian Higher Education Ecosystem

• India has over 1,100 universities and 45 million students enrolled in higher education.

• Enrolment is growing by 1–2 million students annually, making India one of the largest education ecosystems globally.

• Yet, the quality of education has not kept pace with this expansion, leading to a mismatch between quantity and quality.

Systemic Challenges Holding Back Global Competitiveness

• Faculty Crisis and Working Conditions

• Severe shortage of qualified faculty, especially at research-intensive universities. Issues include: Poor remuneration Inadequate infrastructure Lack of academic freedom and autonomy

• Severe shortage of qualified faculty, especially at research-intensive universities.

• Issues include: Poor remuneration Inadequate infrastructure Lack of academic freedom and autonomy

• Poor remuneration

• Inadequate infrastructure

• Lack of academic freedom and autonomy

• Bureaucratic and Political Interference

• Most universities suffer from excessive bureaucratic control. Political appointments and interference undermine meritocracy and institutional autonomy.

• Most universities suffer from excessive bureaucratic control.

• Political appointments and interference undermine meritocracy and institutional autonomy.

• Research Ecosystem Deficits

• Low research output, lack of interdisciplinary research culture. Limited international collaborations, which affects both visibility and funding. Inconsistent access to high-quality journals, labs, and funding mechanisms.

• Low research output, lack of interdisciplinary research culture.

• Limited international collaborations, which affects both visibility and funding.

• Inconsistent access to high-quality journals, labs, and funding mechanisms.

Fragmented Institutional Ecosystem

• India’s higher education is divided into: Central Universities State Universities Private Universities Specialised Institutions (e.g., IITs, IIMs, NITs)

• Central Universities

• State Universities

• Private Universities

• Specialised Institutions (e.g., IITs, IIMs, NITs)

• While institutions like IIT Bombay and IISc have made global gains, the majority lag behind in critical areas such as faculty-student ratio, research impact, and global reputation.

Global Exposure and Collaboration Gaps

• According to QS, Indian institutions lag in academic reputation, employer reputation, and internationalization metrics.

• Global collaborations remain weak; Indian researchers are often excluded from dominant international research networks.

• QS suggests greater participation in cross-border academic debates and joint research projects to enhance institutional visibility.

Government Initiatives: Incomplete and Fragmented

• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promises flexibility, autonomy, and internationalization, but implementation remains inconsistent.

• The government has invited foreign universities to establish campuses in India — a potentially transformative step.

• However, structural reforms (such as funding mechanisms, academic freedom, and quality assurance frameworks) remain slow.

Implications for India’s National and Global Aspirations

• A robust higher education system is essential for: Economic growth and innovation Demographic dividend realization Soft power projection

• Economic growth and innovation

• Demographic dividend realization

• Soft power projection

• Delays in reform risk leaving India’s students with subpar education and limited global competitiveness, affecting national progress.

Way Forward

• Enhancing Faculty Quality and Incentives

• Attract and retain top talent with better pay, tenure systems, research funding, and autonomy.

• De-bureaucratizing Universities

• Reduce political interference, enhance institutional autonomy, and adopt transparent governance models.

• Building World-Class Research Ecosystems

• Invest in labs, journals, conferences, and peer-reviewed platforms. Foster interdisciplinary centres of excellence.

• Invest in labs, journals, conferences, and peer-reviewed platforms.

• Foster interdisciplinary centres of excellence.

• Global Engagement Strategy

• Promote joint degrees, student/faculty exchange, and co-authorship. Incentivize international accreditation and quality benchmarking.

• Promote joint degrees, student/faculty exchange, and co-authorship.

• Incentivize international accreditation and quality benchmarking.

• Tiered Funding and Performance-Based Grants

• Create funding frameworks that reward research, innovation, and global engagement.

Conclusion

• The current progress in the QS Rankings, though notable, remains insufficient considering the scale, population, and ambitions of the country.

• A transformative overhaul of faculty systems, governance, research funding, and global collaboration is critical. Only then can India transition from a mass education provider to a global knowledge leader.

Practice Question:

“India’s performance in the QS World University Rankings 2024–25 reflects both progress and persistent challenges in its higher education ecosystem.” Critically examine the factors responsible for the low global competitiveness of Indian universities despite their numerical expansion. (250 Words)