Delhi University has claimed the top spot in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024, securing an overall rank of 220. Following closely behind are the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay at 303 and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras at 344.
Internationally, the University of Toronto took the top spot, with the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) and The University of Manchester securing the second and third ranks.
Among the rankings, 32 institutes have secured positions within the top 800 ranks. Notably, while no Indian institutes currently feature in the top 200, they span across the rank range of 1200 and beyond.
Apart from the IITs, institutes like Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Anna University, and the Indian Institute of Science have also secured positions within the top 10 institutes in India.
The QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024 evaluated 1,397 institutions across 95 countries and territories, marking a substantial increase from last year's pilot edition. These rankings delve into social impact, environmental contributions, and governance, providing a holistic framework to gauge how universities tackle worldwide challenges.
Additionally, the rankings evaluated universities on three key parameters: Environmental Impact, Social Impact, and Governance. India particularly stood out in metrics linked to Environmental Impact, with four Indian universities securing spots among the top 100 globally in Environmental Sustainability. Leading the nation in this category was Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), securing the 49th position globally and ranking as the tenth highest in Asia.
Ben Sowter, QS Senior Vice President, underscored the pivotal role of Indian universities in confronting climate challenges. He highlighted their achievements while also flagging areas that demand improvement. While acknowledging commendable strides, Sowter stressed the necessity for bolstered research capacities, greater diversity, and inclusivity to align with India's environmental commitments.
