The Times Higher Education (THE) has released its Asia University Rankings for 2025, offering a comprehensive assessment of universities across the continent. Based on 18 performance indicators, the rankings evaluate institutions on teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook.
This year, the rankings include 853 universities from 35 countries and territories. While China continues to dominate with the top two positions and five of the top ten, Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong also maintain a strong presence. Notably, all six of Hong Kong’s ranked universities are placed in the top 50, a first since 2017. Four new countries have joined the rankings this year: Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Mongolia, and Syria.
India in the Rankings
India has shown a solid performance overall, with 20 institutions ranked in the top 250. However, only one Indian university has made it to the top 100. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, is the only Indian institution in the top 100, securing a joint 38th position in Asia with an overall score of 65.2. IISc performed particularly well in Industry Engagement (97.3), Teaching (68.1), and Research Quality (64.1).
Performance of Other Indian Institutions
Several other Indian universities have been ranked, though outside the top 100:
- Anna University (111th): High Research Quality score of 80.0, but lower scores in International Outlook (20.2) and Teaching (43.3).
- IIT Indore (131st): Strong Research Quality (70.8) and balanced performance across other metrics.
- Mahatma Gandhi University (140th): Best score in Teaching (53.5), moderate in other areas.
- Shoolini University (146th): Highest-ranked private university in India, with standout scores in Research Quality (81.5) and International Outlook (71.4).
- Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (149th): Excellent Research Quality (83.4), lower in Teaching (40.8) and International Outlook (72.5).
- Jamia Millia Islamia (161st): High Research Quality (75.4), but lower in International Outlook (40.4) and Teaching (48.7).
- IIT Guwahati and KIIT University (=184): Both achieved an overall score of 44.8, but varied in individual performance metrics. KIIT led in Industry Engagement (55.9), while IIT Guwahati performed better in Teaching and Research Quality.
Shoolini University has once again emerged as India’s top-ranked private university. It is ranked 146th in Asia and 5th in India overall. Its strengths include:
- 2nd in India for Research Quality (81.5)
- 4th in India for International Outlook (71.4)
- 14th for Research Environment
- 49th for Teaching
- 67th for Industry Engagement
Shoolini has remained in the top 200 in Asia for three years in a row.
While India’s higher education institutions are improving in quality, particularly in research and innovation, the low number of universities in the top 100 shows there is still room for growth. Enhanced global collaboration, better teaching practices, and stronger international outlooks are areas that need focus. With appropriate policy support, autonomy, and increased engagement with global academia, Indian universities can strengthen their positions in future rankings.
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