TAs the academic landscape continues to evolve, the Asia University Rankings 2023 by Times Higher Education (THE) has shed light on some intriguing developments in the Indian higher education sector. While the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) maintained its position as the highest-ranked Indian institution, there have been notable shifts and surprises, including the absence of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) from the top 200. This blog explores the latest rankings, highlights the performance of Indian universities, and delves into the factors contributing to these changes.
Out of the 75 Indian universities that participated in the survey, 18 achieved a commendable performance by securing a position among the top 200 in the international rankings. Despite slipping six places compared to last year, IISc remains in the lead, holding the 48th position. Similarly, the JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research maintained its rank at 68th, following its achievement of the 65th rank in 2022. A noteworthy newcomer, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, made an impressive debut at 77th, while Mahatma Gandhi University secured the 95th position. Although the overall number of Indian universities in the top 200 slightly increased this year, some institutions experienced a decline in their rankings. For instance, IISc has been gradually dropping in rank over the past five years, going from 27th in 2016 to its current position. JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research and IIT Ropar also experienced a decline. However, IIIT Hyderabad showed promising improvement, climbing significantly in the rankings. Surprisingly, Jawaharlal Nehru University and IIT Gandhinagar did not make it into the top 200 this year. These exclusions emphasise the need for these institutions to reflect on challenges and strategically work towards their growth and recognition.
It is important to note that several prestigious first-generation Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), including those in Delhi, Bombay, Kanpur, Madras, and Kharagpur, have chosen to boycott the rankings due to concerns over transparency. Although representatives from Times Higher Education (THE) tried to address their concerns by explaining the changes in performance parameters, the IITs have not yet rescinded their boycott.
Top 10 Universities in THE’s Asia University Ranking:
| University | Country | 2023 Rank | 2022 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsinghua University | China | 1 | 1 |
| Peking University | China | 2 | 2 |
| National University of Singapore | Singapore | 3 | 3 |
| University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong | 4 | 4 |
| Nanyang Technological University, Singapore | Singapore | 5 | 5 |
| Chinese University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong | 6 | 7 |
| The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology | Hong Kong | 7 | 9 |
| The University Of Tokyo | Japan | 8 | 6 |
| Fudan University | China | 9 | 10 |
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University | China | 9 | 13 |
A British magazine covering higher education, has released the 11th annual Asia University Rankings. The THE calculates its rating by analysing teaching, research, citations, international outlooks, and industry income. Universities from 31 countries across the Asian continent participate in this assessment. This year’s rankings are dominated by Tsinghua University from China, securing the top spot, followed by Peking University and the National University of Singapore. Japan leads the overall rankings with 117 universities, followed by China (95), India (75), Iran (65), and Turkey (61).
In THE’s Asia University Ranking 2023, these are the top 10 Indian Universities:
| University | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Science | 48 |
| JSS of Academy of Higher Education and Research | 68 |
| Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences | 77 |
| Mahatma Gandhi University | 95 |
| International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad | 106 |
| Alagappa University | 111 |
| Saveetha University | 113 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | 128 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Ropar | 131 |
| Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi | 137 |
The Asia University Rankings 2023 provide essential insights into the changing Indian higher education landscape. Although IISc remains the top Indian institution, the absence of JNU and IIT Gandhinagar emphasises the need for focused efforts to maintain and enhance their rankings. The rankings show that Indian universities are determined to compete globally and measure themselves against the best in Asia and the world. It is crucial for everyone involved to address the concerns raised by institutions like the IITs and strive for transparency and excellence in India’s higher education system.
