3 min readNew DelhiApr 12, 2024 10:09 AM IST
First published on: Apr 11, 2024 at 04:20 AM IST
In the latest edition of the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject released on Wednesday, several programmes offered by the Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) saw a significant drop from last year.
The chemistry programme at India’s most prominent Institute of Eminence (IoE) fell 31 places, from 77th to 108th. The institute’s physics and astronomy programme was ranked 134 this year, down from 110 the previous year. In a similar vein, the institute’s mathematics rankings dropped by 18 spots, ending up at 134 from 116th in 2023.
Out of the total 18 entries from the IISc, just three programmes gained in rankings while 11 programmes declined. The decline in ranks, however, does not indicate “deterioration in academic excellence”, according to QS officials. A drop in its H-index that measures productivity and impact of research done by scholars and scientists has been the primary reason for the drop in rankings, a spokesperson said.
“The slight shifts observed in the IISc’s standings in certain subjects do not necessarily signify a deterioration in academic excellence. Rather, they reflect the evolving landscape of global education, where other institutions may be advancing at a faster pace in specific metrics,” QS said in a written response to questions sent by The Indian Express. “…these changes are mostly attributable to a declining performance in research indicators such as Citations per Paper, H-Index, and International Research Network,” it said.
Attempts to reach IISc via email and phone did not elicit a response.
Meanwhile, overall rankings showed that a majority of the higher educational institutions have shown either improved ranks or remained stable from last year. A total of 69 Indian universities made it to the rankings with 424 entries, which marks a 19.4% rise from the previous year’s 355 entries.
University of Delhi, with 30 subject entries this year, showed improvement in 12 subjects such as anthropology, developmental studies and environmental sciences.
IIT Bombay’s chemistry programme broke into the global top-100 by obtaining 94th rank up from previous year’s 116th spot. Overall with 28 entries, IIT Bombay showed improvement in 17 of its entries this year. Programmes like chemical engineering ( 64th rank, up by 13 ranks), mineral and mining engineering (25th rank, up by 12 ranks) gained in global 100 ranks.
Some of the other most represented Indian universities in this edition include IIT Kharagpur with 27 entries, IIT Madras with 22 entries, and IIT Delhi with 19 entries. The Computer Science Engineering programme at IIT Delhi rose to the 63rd rank from the 67th position the previous year.
A newcomer in the field, Jawaharlal Nehru University’s development studies is the highest-ranked in India. The university also bagged 11th rank in the ‘academic reputation’ category. However, the sociology programme at JNU which was ranked 68 last year has dropped to 91st spot this year. O P Jindal Global University has made significant strides by ascending to the 74th position globally in law from 84th position.
The chemistry programme at India’s most prominent Institute of Eminence (IoE) fell 31 places, from 77th to 108th in the QS ranking. 
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