NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi has marked a significant milestone in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. The institute’s five engineering and technology subjects have entered the top 50 in the world, showing a significant improvement over the previous year’s results. IIT Delhi holds the top spot in India in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for the Engineering & Technology category, ranking 36th globally.According to the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, which were announced on March 25, 2026, IIT Delhi‘s Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, and Civil Engineering subjects have entered the top 50 in the world, showing a significant improvement over the previous year’s results, where only the Electrical Engineering subject was in the top 50, while the other subjects were ranked lower in the previous year’s results.
Indian universities clock record gains in QS subject rankings 2026; IITs dominate engineering, IIM Ahmedabad breaks new ground in marketing
Strong performance across engineering departments
The Electrical Engineering program ranks 36th, while Mechanical Engineering ranks 44th, Computer Science ranks 45th, Chemical Engineering ranks 48th, and Civil Engineering ranks 50th. Prof. Somnath Baidya Roy, who is Dean (Planning) and Head of the Ranking Cell, said, “IIT Delhi offers world-class and affordable education to students who become leaders in various fields. Though ranking does not reflect our entire gamut of activities, it is definitely an acknowledgement of our hard work.”
Prof. Shankar Prakriya, who is Head of Electrical Engineering, said, “The improvement in our QS international ranking for our Electrical Engineering program is an endorsement of our growth trajectory. We have been witnessing rapid growth in some of our thrust areas. We have modernized our curriculum and our facilities. We have new initiatives like a PG Diploma in VLSI design and a student innovation lab with funding from one of our alums. We believe in innovation and excellence.”
Departmental achievements drive global recognition
Dr. P.M.V Subbarao, Head of Mechanical Engineering, said, “The improved ranking is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to engineering excellence. Fundamentally, we continued what we have been doing and simultaneously pioneered AI-integrated technologies-which gives us the confidence that we are on a progressive track, and ranks follow the good work we do.”
Prof. Naveen Garg, Head of Computer Science and Engineering, said, “Recent curriculum reforms have added flexibility in academic programmes without compromising rigor, and ongoing investments in computing infrastructure further enhance our capabilities.” Prof. Anurag Rathore, Head of Chemical Engineering, said, “With Rs 40+ Cr industrial funding received over the last 5 years, a 75% increase in patents granted, and a 50% increase in peer-reviewed publications, the Chemical Engineering department has consistently ranked as one of the nation’s most distinguished departments.”
Prof. Vasant Matsagar, Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering, said, “We have completely revamped courses to include the latest technologies, such as, construction automation and robotics, unmanned aerial vehicle (UVA)/drone technology, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and geomatics.”
Broader STEM achievements
Apart from these top 50 subjects, twelve subjects from IIT Delhi under Engineering & Technology, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences & Management are now ranked within the top 100. These are Data Science & AI (51-100), Mineral & Mining (51-100), Environmental Sciences (78), Materials Science (64), Mathematics (86), Business & Management Studies (71), and Statistics & Operational Research (51-100).
IIT Delhi is now ranked among the top 50 globally for Engineering & Technology, and it is ranked within the top 100 globally for Natural Sciences (ranked at 91) and Social Sciences & Management (ranked at 84).
