In a remarkable feat for Indian higher education, several Indian universities have secured notable positions in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025. These global rankings assess universities based on their contributions to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs), covering a wide range of social, economic, and environmental indicators. This year’s edition saw participation from over 2,500 universities across 130 countries and territories, making it one of the most competitive global rankings of its kind.

Among the standout Indian institutions, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham emerged as the highest-ranked Indian university, securing an impressive 41st position globally. This marks a dramatic rise from its placement in the 401–600 bracket in the previous year. The university’s strongest performances were in SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), where it ranked 29th globally, as well as in SDG 4 (Quality Education), where it placed 5th. Additionally, it achieved the 14th position in Gender Equality (SDG 5) and was ranked 66th in Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6). These rankings highlight Amrita’s consistent efforts to integrate sustainable practices, promote gender equity, and improve access to healthcare and clean water.

Lovely Professional University (LPU) also made a strong impression, achieving the 48th spot in the overall rankings. LPU was particularly lauded for its performance in the No Poverty category (SDG 1), where it ranked 22nd globally. It also secured 8th place in Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and 18th in Quality Education. However, its placement in Good Health and Well-being remained in the 401–600 range, indicating areas for potential improvement.

Shoolini University continued its upward trajectory with an overall global ranking of 96. Though its rankings in SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) fell within the 201–300 range, the university excelled in areas related to sustainability and energy. It achieved 22nd place in Clean Water and Sanitation and 21st in Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), demonstrating its commitment to environmental stewardship and resource management.

KIIT University, another prominent Indian institution, was placed in the 100–200 band overall. It achieved 20th rank in Quality Education and ranked 37th in Affordable and Clean Energy. The university also stood out in the Reduced Inequalities category (SDG 10), where it was placed 15th globally. These accolades underscore KIIT’s role in promoting inclusive education and equitable growth.

Shiv Nadar University secured a position in the 310–400 bracket overall. The university’s efforts were particularly recognized in Zero Hunger, where it was ranked 36th globally. Additionally, it was placed in the 101–200 range in Clean Water and Sanitation and Affordable and Clean Energy. However, its performance in the Reduced Inequalities category was less stellar, falling in the 401–600 bracket.

JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), a deemed university located in Mysuru, Karnataka, made significant strides this year. Ranked 56th globally in the overall Impact Rankings, JSS AHER performed exceptionally in the No Poverty category, achieving the 20th position. It was also placed within the 101–200 range in Zero Hunger and ranked 69th globally in Good Health and Well-being. These achievements reflect the university’s growing emphasis on community healthcare and social equity.

Dr D Y Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, witnessed a commendable rise in the rankings, climbing from the 601–800 band in 2024 to the 301–400 bracket in 2025. The university earned the 55th spot in Zero Hunger, 13th in Good Health and Well-being, and was placed in the 201–300 range for Quality Education. Additionally, it ranked 80th in Gender Equality, marking it as a strong advocate for both academic excellence and inclusive policies.

Sri Sri University (SSU), based in Cuttack, Odisha, also made a mark in the rankings. It secured a global rank of 70 in the Zero Hunger category, placing it among the top 100 universities in the world in this area. The university also featured in the top 200 for both Quality Education and Life on Land (SDG 15), and within the top 300 for Clean Water and Sanitation and Affordable and Clean Energy. These rankings underscore SSU’s multidisciplinary focus and ecological consciousness.

However, despite these achievements, Indian universities were notably absent from the top 20 globally in categories like Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12). This indicates the need for more robust institutional frameworks and collaborations to enhance performance in employment generation, industrial innovation, and sustainable resource use.

On the global stage, Western Sydney University in Australia retained its top position for the fourth consecutive year, reaffirming its global leadership in sustainable development. Asian universities as a whole continued to assert their presence, with more than half of the rankings featuring institutions from the continent. Ten of the 17 individual SDG categories were topped by Asian universities, showcasing the region’s expanding influence in global academia. Notably, Indonesia’s Universitas Airlangga, ranked joint 9th overall, was the highest-ranking university from an emerging economy.

The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings continue to serve as a key benchmark for measuring how effectively universities contribute to global challenges through research, outreach, and stewardship. The strong showing by Indian universities this year reflects growing national emphasis on sustainability, inclusion, and global citizenship within the higher education landscape.