IIT (ISM) Dhanbad Enters QS World University Rankings for First Time in Its 100-Year History

In a landmark achievement that underscores its growing global academic reputation, the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, has secured a place in the QS World University Rankings for the first time since its establishment more than a century ago. The institute has been placed in the 701–710 global rank band in the latest edition of the prestigious rankings released on Thursday.

The achievement marks a significant milestone for IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, which is celebrating over 100 years of academic excellence and contributions to engineering, mining and scientific research. Among the 52 Indian institutions featured in the rankings, the institute secured the 21st position nationally. It also ranked 11th among the 13 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) included in the global list.

Describing the recognition as a historic moment, IIT (ISM) Director Professor Sukumar Mishra said the ranking reflects the institute's steady progress in academic quality, research output and international engagement. He noted that the achievement demonstrates the institution's emergence as a globally recognised centre of higher learning and innovation.

The QS rankings highlight several key performance indicators that contributed to IIT (ISM)'s debut appearance. One of the institute's strongest areas was research impact, where it achieved a score of 87.3 in the Citations per Faculty category. The metric measures the quality, influence and global visibility of research publications produced by faculty members and is considered a critical indicator of academic excellence.

The institute also performed strongly in the International Research Network category, scoring 43.2. This reflects its expanding collaboration with universities, research centres and scholars across the world. Increased participation in international research projects and cross-border academic partnerships has helped strengthen IIT (ISM)'s global profile in recent years.

Another area highlighted in the rankings was sustainability. IIT (ISM) Dhanbad received a Sustainability score of 57.5, recognising its efforts to align academic and research activities with environmental responsibility and sustainable development goals. According to the institute, the score reflects its commitment to building a research-intensive and socially responsible academic ecosystem while addressing contemporary global challenges.

Beyond its overall ranking, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad has also continued to demonstrate excellence in subject-specific disciplines. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, the institute achieved a remarkable distinction by securing the top position in India and ranking 21st globally in Mineral and Mining Engineering. The recognition reinforces the institute's longstanding leadership in a field closely associated with its historical legacy and academic strengths.

The institute also featured prominently in Petroleum Engineering, where it was placed in the 151–175 global rank band. Mechanical Engineering entered the QS subject rankings for the first time, securing a position in the 501–575 global rank band, indicating the growing recognition of the institute's engineering programmes beyond its traditional specialisations.

Earlier this year, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad was ranked 110th in the QS World University Rankings: Southern Asia 2026, signalling its steady rise in regional and international academic assessments.

The institute's debut in the global QS rankings represents more than a numerical achievement. It reflects sustained efforts to strengthen research quality, expand international collaborations and enhance academic excellence. As IIT (ISM) Dhanbad continues to broaden its global footprint, the latest ranking is expected to further boost its reputation among students, researchers and academic partners worldwide.