Indian Universities Make Modest Gains in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025 Amid Asia’s Strong Surge

The 2025 edition of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings has been released, highlighting a growing dominance of Asian universities in the global pursuit of sustainability. Yet, India’s showing remains relatively subdued, with only a handful of its institutions breaking into the top ranks despite substantial representation in the list.

Among 2,526 universities across 130 countries evaluated for their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), only two Indian universities have secured spots in the top 50. In total, just four Indian institutions feature in the top 100. This is in spite of 135 Indian institutions making it to the rankings this year, indicating a gap between participation and performance when measured against global standards.

The THE Impact Rankings assess universities on their contributions to solving major global issues such as climate change, equitable education, gender justice, and economic development. The assessment focuses on multiple indicators including research output, community outreach, and internal operations tied to the SDGs.

India’s leading entry this year is Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, which ranks 41st globally. It has shown impressive results in several key indicators, placing 5th worldwide for Quality Education (SDG 4) and 6th for Clean Energy (SDG 7). It also ranks among the global top 100 in categories such as Gender Equality and Innovation. The university achieved a perfect score of 100 out of 100 in parameters like lifelong learning, student accessibility, and sustainability in clean water efforts.

Lovely Professional University (LPU) has made a significant breakthrough, entering the top 50 globally for the first time with an overall rank of 48. It ranks 5th globally for SDG 7, 6th for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), and 8th for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Its overall score stands at 92.6, surpassing some of the most prestigious global institutions including MIT and even Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).

Also among the top Indian performers is Shoolini University, which stands at 96 globally. Its achievements include a 38th rank for SDG 13 (Climate Action), 21st for SDG 7, and 22nd for SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). It has also managed to secure top 100 positions in several other SDG categories, reflecting a holistic approach to sustainability.

In total, only four Indian universities have made it into the top 100, underscoring the need for other institutions to enhance their sustainability-related policies and practices. This limited presence highlights the long journey ahead for Indian higher education institutions in terms of making a measurable real-world impact through sustainable development.

Below is a list of the top-ranking Indian universities in THE Impact Rankings 2025 with a global rank under 400:

(The ‘=’ symbol denotes tied ranks. From Rank 100 onwards, THE lists universities in rank bands of 100.)

Meanwhile, universities from Asia are making impressive strides in sustainability, dominating this year’s rankings. For the fourth consecutive year, Western Sydney University in Australia retains its global number one position.

However, the broader trend clearly shows the rise of Asian universities. This year, Asian institutions occupy more than half the top 50 positions, with 22 universities making it into that bracket. Remarkably, 10 of the 17 SDG categories are topped by Asian universities.

Malaysia’s Universiti Sains Malaysia stands out by leading in three SDG categories, including No Poverty and Partnerships for the Goals, underlining its diversified contributions.

Another standout is Kyungpook National University of South Korea, which has advanced to 3rd place globally, representing the country’s growing focus on integrating sustainability into higher education.

Among emerging economies, Indonesia’s Universitas Airlangga makes a strong showing, securing joint 9th place overall. Its sustainability initiatives such as green transportation systems and the creation of open public spaces have earned global recognition.

Other Asian institutions making notable progress include Pusan National University, Lingnan University (Hong Kong), and others from across Southeast and East Asia. Their success reflects a collective push among Asian universities to align more deeply with the UN’s 2030 Agenda.

Below is a list of the top 10 global universities as per THE Impact Rankings 2025:

(The ‘=’ symbol indicates shared ranking positions.)

As sustainability becomes an increasingly central theme in global higher education, the performance of Indian institutions reflects both promise and the need for greater strategic alignment. The relatively modest showing of Indian universities in the top 100 reveals the importance of moving beyond policy frameworks and achieving tangible outcomes on the ground.

Quoting the analysis from the report, “As the push for sustainable education gains global momentum, Indian universities may need to rethink how they integrate SDGs into their policies and programmes — not just on paper, but on the ground too.”

With the global landscape shifting and Asia rising as a leader in higher education’s sustainable development efforts, the challenge for Indian universities now lies in closing the gap between potential and performance.