THE Asia University Rankings 2025: IISc Tops Nationally, Shoolini University Leads Private Sector
New Delhi, April 24, 2025 — The Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2025 have spotlighted India’s academic ascent, with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, retaining its title as the top-ranked university in India, while Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences has emerged as the highest-ranked private university for the second consecutive year.
Released on April 23, the rankings evaluated 853 universities across 35 countries and territories. Institutions were assessed based on 18 meticulously calibrated indicators covering teaching, research, industry engagement, and international outlook.
IISc Leads Indian Higher Education with Strong Industry Engagement
IISc continues its dominance with a 38th rank in Asia, achieving a stellar score of 97.3 in Industry Engagement, coupled with high marks in Teaching (68.1) and Research Quality (64.1). Its consistent performance underscores its role as a research and innovation hub in South Asia.
Shoolini University Breaks Barriers Among Private Institutions
Ranked 146th in Asia and 5th in India overall, Shoolini University leads among Indian private universities. With a Research Quality score of 82 and International Outlook of 71.4, it ranks second and fourth in India, respectively, for these categories. This strong international performance reflects the university’s focus on global partnerships and research-driven growth.
Vice Chancellor Atul Khosla stated, “Our consistent top ranking is a matter of great pride. It reflects our commitment to academic excellence and international relevance.”
Other Notable Indian Performers
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Anna University (Rank 111) shows a Research Quality score of 80, outpacing even IISc in that category.
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IIT Indore (Rank 131) maintains a balanced performance across metrics.
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Jamia Millia Islamia and Saveetha Institute both score high in research but lag in international collaboration and teaching.
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BITS Pilani and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), both in the 201–250 band, show potential in research and teaching respectively.
Emerging Institutions and Nationwide Trends
India’s growing presence is marked by a strong mix of public and private universities rising in the ranks. The country now features in key performance bands across Asia, with many institutions recording significant improvements in research and global partnerships.
While IISc and IITs lead the way, universities like Shoolini, Lovely Professional University, and UPES are redefining the private higher education landscape with focused strategies on innovation and internationalisation.
Top Indian Universities in THE Asia University Rankings 2025
| Rank | University | Research Quality | Industry Engagement | International Outlook | Teaching |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | IISc Bengaluru | 64.1 | 97.3 | 32 | 68.1 |
| 111 | Anna University | 80 | 66 | 20.2 | 43.3 |
| 131 | IIT Indore | 70.8 | 36 | 35 | 52.2 |
| 146 | Shoolini University | 82 | 23 | 71.4 | 35.7 |
| 149 | Saveetha Institute | 83.4 | 19 | 72.5 | 40.8 |
| 161 | Jamia Millia Islamia | 75.4 | 41 | 40.4 | 48.7 |
India’s Academic Future on the Global Stage
The 2025 rankings underscore India’s academic evolution, with institutions demonstrating improved performance across research, teaching, and global collaboration. While legacy institutions like IISc continue to lead, private players like Shoolini University are reshaping perceptions with research-intensive models.
With continued investment, policy backing, and global partnerships, India is poised to become a major force in global higher education.
