THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026: IISc Bangalore Only Indian Institute in Global Top 100
IISc Bangalore Only Indian Institution in Global Top 100 as US, UK Lead THE Subject Rankings 2026The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2026 have been released. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore is the only Indian institute in the global top 100 for Computer Science. India has surpassed Japan with 128 institutions. The United States sits at the top.
What THE World University Rankings 2026 Show?
- The US and UK dominate the subject-wise rankings.
- India has a record overall presentation, but has limits in the very top.
- 128 Indian institutions ranked in THE Rankings 2026.
- India is the second most represented country in the world.
- IISc Bangalore stands alone in subject-level performance.
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IISc Leads, Others Trail Behind
IISc Bangalore is the only Indian university in the top 100 (Computer Science subject). Other Indian institutions are there but lower in the rankings.
- Amity University: 251-300 band
- Jamia Millia Islamia: 301-400 range
THE examined 11 academic disciplines in 2026. No other Indian institute could get into the top 100. This shows that a persistent gap must be filled between India’s research volume and its global presence.
US, UK Dominate; China Strengthens Grip
According to THE, the United States and the United Kingdom universities hold the top positions, a similar trend to last year. China has leveled up its computer science, engineering, and physical sciences fields.
India lags behind its Asian counterparts (China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea). What is the biggest bottleneck? The inability to convert large-scale research output into top-tier global rankings.
India’s Big Number, Smaller Impact
India has indeed given a historic performance. India has overtaken Japan. It now ranks second globally in the THE World University Rankings 2026. The country has 126 institutions.
But the data also points out weaknesses:
- India ranks fourth in research output.
- Indian universities struggle with internationalisation, high-impact citations, and global collaborations.
- If it continues, the Indian education institutes can not break into the top 50 subject-level rankings.
Private Universities on the Rise
- Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS) and Shoolini University are climbing THE ranking bands.
- Targeted research strategies and stronger citation performance improve their visibility.
- SIMATS is in 351–400 global band. Strong outcomes in medical and health sciences.
- Shoolini University stood out for high citation impact.
Indian Institutions in THE Rankings 2026
Let's take a look at those who appear in THE rankings 2026:
Institution | Global Rank 2026 | Standout Metric / Subject Focus |
IISc Bangalore | 201–250 | Only Indian university in Global Top 100 for Computer Science |
SIMATS (Saveetha Institute) | 351–400 | Strong performance in Medical & Health Sciences |
Jamia Millia Islamia | 401–500 | High research quality; 301–400 in Computer Science |
Shoolini University | 401–500 | High citations; Physical Sciences excellence |
501–600 | Strong public university presence in Physical Sciences | |
IIT Indore | 501–600 | Top IIT performer in THE; Engineering focus |
Amity University | 601–800 | Leading private university in Computer Science |
601–800 | Strength in Engineering and Technology | |
601–800 | Reputation in Social Sciences and Arts | |
601–800 | IT and Engineering research excellence |
Number one-ranked institutions across World University Rankings by Subject 2026
Ranking | Top institution | Country/territory |
Arts and Humanities | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | United States |
Business and Economics | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | United States |
Medical and Health | University of Oxford | United Kingdom |
Computer Science | University of Oxford | United Kingdom |
Education Studies | Stanford University | United States |
Engineering | Harvard University | United States |
Law | Stanford University | United States |
Life Sciences | Harvard University | United States |
Physical Sciences | California Institute of Technology | United States |
Psychology | University of Cambridge | United Kingdom |
Social Sciences | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | United States |
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Challenges Highlighted by THE 2026 Rankings
India faces these structural hurdles:
Challenge | What It Means |
Internationalisation | Low number of foreign faculty and students |
Citation Gap | High research output but fewer global citations |
Public vs Private Gap | Private universities adapt faster to ranking criteria |
Infrastructure Issues | Faculty shortages and weak digital infrastructure |
Linchpin
The THE Subject Rankings 2026 do not just list universities and tell who performs best, but they give a deeper background. When it comes to India, it is imperative to note these down so the solutions can be implemented.
India is becoming a global higher education powerhouse in numbers. But numbers do not automatically translate into quality. Value concentration remains narrow. Getting into top-100 finish in computer science is a standout achievement for IISc Bangalore. But it is also a reminder of how much ground Indian universities still need to cover. And if the policymakers continue to ignore it, we will always reflect a disparity compared to global leaders.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: Who releases THE rankings 2026?
Ans: The UK-based publication Times Higher Education published THE rankings. THE covers the international education system.
Ques: How many subjects were measured in THE rankings 2026 by Subjects?
Ans: There were a total of 11 subjects that were assessed by THE rankings. They are the following:
- Arts and Humanities
- Business and Economics
- Computer Science
- Education Studies
- Engineering
- Law
- Life Sciences
- Medical and Health
- Physical Sciences
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
Ques: How does India perform in THE rankings 2026 by Subjects?
Ans: Only one Indian institute could get into the top 100 of the rankings. India left Japan behind, standing in second place. The United States is at the top.
Ques: When did THE rankings 2026 by Subjects release?
Ans: The authorities published the rankings on 21 January 2026, Wednesday.