As QS World University Rankings continue to shape global perceptions of academic excellence, a quiet but powerful transformation is underway in India’s education landscape. With Indian institutions climbing up the QS ladder and the country’s K–12 and higher education sectors expanding at an unprecedented rate, global edupreneurs are eyeing India as the next big destination for investment, collaboration, and innovation.

India’s QS Surge: More Than Just Rankings

• Increased Representation: India has outperformed China in the QS Asia University Rankings 2025, with 162 Indian higher education institutions (HEIs) making the list, compared to China’s 133. This marks a significant growth in India’s representation, reflecting the country’s commitment to enhancing educational standards. (Source: ​Finance News India+1ETEducation.com+1)
  
• Top Performers: The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) has emerged as the top university in Southern Asia, leading a group of seven Indian universities in the region’s top 10. (Source: ​Top Universities+1Press Information Bureau+)
  • 11 Indian institutions made it to the QS World University Rankings 2024 Top 1000.
    
  • IIT Bombay ranks at #149 globally—its highest ever position.
    
  • IISc Bangalore ranks #1 globally in Citations per Faculty (QS 2022).
    
  • IIMs and private universities like Ashoka, OP Jindal, and Amity are rapidly climbing in subject-wise and regional rankings.
• Global Recognition: Nine Indian universities have secured positions in the world’s top 50 in the QS subject-wise rankings. Notably, the Indian School of Mines (ISM) in Dhanbad leads with a 20th place ranking in Engineering-Mineral and Mining. (Source: ​The Indian Express+3The Economic Times+3The PIE News+3)
  

This upward mobility reflects a maturing ecosystem that values research, innovation, faculty excellence, and global integration.

What This Means for Edupreneurs

The QS rise isn’t just a badge of academic honor—it signals a readiness for international collaboration, franchising models, and EdTech penetration. Here’s why global edupreneurs should take notice:

1. India Is Building One of the World’s Largest Higher Education Markets

• 315 million+ students in K–12, with 40 million+ in higher education.
  
• More than 1,100 universities and 45,000+ colleges across India.
  
• Government’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to internationalize the education system, promote autonomy, and encourage innovation. (Source: Ministry of Education, UDISE+, AISHE)

2. QS Rankings Fuel Aspirations and Market Demand

Indian students and parents now actively consider QS rankings when choosing institutions—within India and abroad.

• This has fueled the rise of globally aligned curricula (IB, Cambridge), EdTech startups, and demand for international degree pathways.
  
• Transnational education (TNE) models—like dual degrees, study abroad tie-ups, and branch campuses—are gaining momentum.
  

3. The EdTech and Private School Boom is Real

• India’s EdTech market is projected to reach $30 billion by 2030.
  
• Demand for STEAM, coding, robotics, AI, SEL, and language learning is skyrocketing in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
  
• The number of international schools has more than doubled, from 400 in 2010 to over 920+ in 2023, projected to cross 1,800 by 2030.
  

4. Foreign Universities Are Already Moving In

• University of Southampton, Deakin, and University of Wollongong are setting up campuses in India under the new NEP regulatory framework.
  
• India now allows foreign universities in GIFT City (Gujarat) to operate without local regulations, opening the door for real-time market entry.
  
• These moves signal government support and policy clarity for international collaborations. Recent regulatory changes have facilitated the entry of foreign universities into India. UK institutions such as Newcastle, Surrey, and Coventry are exploring opportunities to establish branch campuses, aiming to tap into India’s vast student market of 40 million. ​(Source: The Guardian)
  

Where IME Fits In

At IME (India Market Entry), we act as a bridge between global education brands and the Indian market. With a nationwide network of schools, educators, and government relations, we’ve helped EdTech firms, international schools, and curriculum providers successfully launch and scale in India.

Whether you’re a Test-prep platform, a STEM school, a university, or a lifelong learning venture—India is ready.

The India Advantage: A Quick Snapshot for Edupreneurs

Opportunity	India’s Present Stats
Total Students	315M+
K–12 Schools	1.5M+
Higher Ed Students	40M+
International Curriculum Schools	923+ (expected 1,800 by 2030)
EdTech Market	$30B by 2030
Youth Population	500M+ under 25 years

Conclusion: Use the QS Ranking Momentum to Your Advantage

India is no longer just a source of students for top QS-ranked institutions abroad. It is fast becoming a global hub for delivering world-class education. The rise in QS rankings of Indian institutions is a signal to the world: India is open for educational business. If you’re a global edupreneur looking to tap into one of the largest, youngest, and fastest-growing education markets in the world, the time is now.