Lucknow: Five state universities from Uttar Pradesh have been listed in The Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, as India placed 110 institutions among 1,646 universities evaluated worldwide for contributions to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).According to the 2026 results, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur, and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, are ranked in the 801-1000 band. Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) University, Gorakhpur, and Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology (MMMUT), Gorakhpur, are placed in the 1001-1500 band.CSJMU vice-chancellor Prof Vinay Pathak said the institution participated for the first time and welcomed the outcome, crediting guidance from the governor. He said the university is working on a “green and sustainable campus” through energy and water conservation measures, plantation drives, waste management initiatives, a plastic-free campus environment, cleanliness campaigns and environmental awareness programmes.DDU University, MMMUT and Bundelkhand University improved their standing compared with last year, when they were ranked above 1501.In 2026, all three moved into the 1001-1500 range. DDU University vice-chancellor Prof Poonam Tandon described the improvement as a reflection of “collective commitment to sustainable development, academic excellence and social responsibility.”Among private institutions in Uttar Pradesh, Shiv Nadar University in Gautam Budh Nagar moved up to the 201-300 band from 301-400 in 2025. Galgotias University, also in Gautam Budh Nagar, improved to the 401-600 band from 601-800 last year. Sharda University, Greater Noida, recorded a decline, shifting from 401-600 in 2025 to 601-800 in 2026.Moradabad’s Teerthanker Mahaveer University entered the rankings as a new participant, placed in the 401-600 band. Integral University, Lucknow, posted a sharp rise, moving from the 1001-1500 band in 2025 to 401-600 in 2026.At the national level, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, was India’s highest-ranked institution at 23rd globally, followed by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, at joint 37th and JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, at joint 74th.Several leading engineering institutions remain absent from the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings, as older Indian Institutes of Technology, including IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur and IIT Roorkee, continue a boycott of Times Higher Education rankings, citing concerns about transparency and what they describe as subjective assessment parameters.
