The Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 subject-wise university rankings for Computer Science have been released, revealing a surprising trend: none of India’s premier IITs feature in the global top 400 list for Computer Science. Traditionally considered the nation’s best engineering institutions, IITs like Bombay, Delhi, and Kharagpur are absent from the highest tier.
What THE Rankings Measure in Computer Science
THE evaluates universities’ excellence in Computer Science across key areas including:
- Software Development & Engineering
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- Cybersecurity & Networks
The assessment is based on five pillars: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry Collaboration, and International Outlook. Metrics such as student-to-faculty ratio, citation impact, patents, global collaborations, and reputation are all factored in.
World’s Top 10 Computer Science Universities (THE 2026)
| University | Country | Overall THE Score |
| Oxford University | UK | 97.7 |
| Cambridge University | UK | 96.7 |
| ETH Zurich | Switzerland | 96.3 |
| MIT | USA | 96.3 |
| Princeton University | USA | 96.1 |
| Stanford University | USA | 95.9 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | USA | 95.5 |
| Harvard University | USA | 93.8 |
| Imperial College London | UK | 93.5 |
| Peking University | China | 93.2 |
India’s Best in Global Rankings
According to THE 2026, India’s highest-ranked institution in Computer Science is the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, placed at 96th globally, making it the only Indian institute in the global top 100.
Other Indian institutions in the ranking include:
- Amity University, Noida – Global Rank 251–300
- Jamia Millia Islamia, Symbiosis International University, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology – Global Rank 301–400
Where IITs Stand Globally
India’s first IIT in the ranking is IIT Indore, with a global rank range of 401–500. Following this, IIT Patna is in the 501–600 range, and IIT Gandhinagar in 601–800. No other IIT features in the top 1000+ range globally.
Why Top IITs Are Missing from the List
The absence of prestigious IITs like IIT Bombay, Delhi, and Madras does not indicate a decline in quality. THE rankings are application-based; institutions must submit data for evaluation. IITs that did not apply are therefore excluded, highlighting that non-inclusion is procedural rather than a reflection of academic excellence.
Conclusion
While THE 2026 rankings offer a global perspective on Computer Science excellence, India’s top IITs continue to maintain their domestic and international reputation despite not appearing in the published top 400. For students seeking a global benchmark, IISc Bangalore stands out as India’s flagship institution in Computer Science.
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