Pune: SPPU and Symbiosis Ranked Among the Top 1000 Globally in QS World University Rankings 2026
Pune, 19th June 2025: Pune has once again reaffirmed its status as Maharashtra’s educational powerhouse, with Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and Symbiosis International University earning spots in the prestigious QS World University Rankings 2026. The rankings, released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), evaluated over 1,500 institutions globally this year.
SPPU achieved an impressive 566th rank, climbing 75 places from its previous year’s position, while Symbiosis secured the 696th spot. Their inclusion places them among the top 1000 universities in the world, a milestone that reflects the rising academic standards of Indian institutions on the global stage.
A total of 54 Indian universities have made it to the QS list this year, with Pune’s dual representation adding to the country’s growing academic influence. As in previous years, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retained the top global position.
SPPU’s leap in the rankings is particularly noteworthy given existing structural challenges, such as an unfavorable faculty-to-student ratio. However, substantial gains in research output, graduate employability, and international visibility helped the university climb significantly.
Currently, SPPU is ranked 15th in India, just behind premier IITs and IIMs, and holds the second position in Maharashtra after IIT Bombay. Among state public universities, it leads the pack.
The key contributors to Pune universities’ improved global standing include:
Enhanced employability and entrepreneurship outcomes for graduates
Stronger partnerships between industry and academia
Increased quantity and impact of research publications
Greater visibility in international academic networks
Reacting to the development, SPPU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Suresh Gosavi said the university aims to build on this momentum. “We are committed to improving our student-faculty ratio, expanding global academic exchange programs, and deepening industry linkages,” he said.
Dr. Gosavi also highlighted ongoing initiatives aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP), such as dual degree programs, international collaborations, and multidisciplinary learning frameworks.
