The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has emerged as the top Indian university for sustainability, achieving a significant leap of 255 places to secure the 171st position globally in the 2025 QS Sustainability Rankings, announced on Tuesday. This marks a significant milestone for Indian universities in their pursuit of sustainable practices and global recognition.
A total of 78 Indian universities have found a place in this year’s QS Sustainability Rankings. Among these, nine of the top 10 Indian institutions improved their global rankings compared to the previous year, while 21 institutions made their debut in the rankings.
Notably, IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur have been recognized among the world’s top 100 universities for their contributions to environmental impact. This distinction highlights their initiatives in addressing environmental challenges through education, research, and practical solutions.
Adding to the accolades, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru has been ranked among the top 50 institutions globally for its efforts in environmental education. This acknowledgment underscores the institute’s role in shaping future leaders and innovators in sustainability-focused fields.
“Of the 78 Indian universities that feature in the 2025 QS Sustainability rankings, 34 have improved on last year’s placing, and eight have maintained their positions,” stated Ben Sowter, Vice President of London-based QS.
Sowter emphasized the broader implications of these rankings, noting, “This is an excellent achievement for the Indian higher education ecosystem and shows that Indian universities are forging ahead with their sustainability initiatives.”
Despite the achievements, Sowter highlighted areas where Indian universities could enhance their global impact. “Within the Social Impact category, Indian universities can look to improve their indicator scores in the Health and Wellbeing, Impact of Education, and Equality lenses, where no institutions from the country feature in the top 350. However, universities from India scored better in the Knowledge Exchange and Employability and Outcomes lenses,” he added.
The 2025 QS Sustainability Rankings have expanded significantly, featuring over 1,740 universities from 107 countries and territories. This represents a notable increase from the previous edition, which included 1,397 institutions across 95 locations.
Globally, the University of Toronto has claimed the top spot in this year’s rankings, followed by ETH Zurich in second place. Lund University in Sweden and the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) share the third position.
Indian universities’ growing prominence in these rankings reflects their dedication to sustainability, research excellence, and global collaboration. With continued efforts, they aim to address critical challenges in areas such as climate change, environmental conservation, and social equity, further enhancing their global standing.
