THE Impact Rankings 2025: 4 Indian Universities in Global Top 100 for Sustainability

In a major boost to India’s global academic reputation, four Indian universities have secured spots in the top 100 of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, which assess universities on their contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Rank 41) and Lovely Professional University (Rank 48) are the highest-ranked Indian institutions, with JSS Academy and Shoolini University also earning global praise for their sustainability-led educational initiatives.

Why in News?

The THE Impact Rankings 2025 were released recently, highlighting universities that excel in meeting the UN SDGs. Four Indian institutions made it to the global top 100, showcasing the country’s progress in sustainability and inclusive education. Over 135 Indian institutions participated this year, with Amrita and LPU securing positions in the global top 50. The rankings underscore a shift towards Asian leadership in sustainability efforts in higher education.

Overview of Indian Institutions in Top 100

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Tamil Nadu): Rank =41

• Strong in SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 7 (Clean Energy)
• 100/100 in lifelong learning and water sustainability

Lovely Professional University (LPU) (Punjab): Rank =48

• Global Rank: 5th in SDG 7 (Clean Energy)
• 6th in Sustainable Cities, 8th in Zero Hunger
• Overall score: 92.6

JSS Academy of Higher Education (Karnataka): Rank =56

Shoolini University (Himachal Pradesh): Rank =96

• Noted for climate action (Rank 38 globally)
• Strong in clean water and clean energy

Broader Indian Representation

• Total Indian Participants: 135
• Institutions ranked 101–400 include:
• Anna University, KIIT, Manipal, IIT Gandhinagar, Shiv Nadar University, etc.

Global Trends

• Western Sydney University retains top rank globally for the 4th consecutive year
• Asian universities dominate top 50 with 22 entries
• Notable institutions: Kyungpook National University (South Korea, Rank 3), Universitas Airlangga (Indonesia, Rank =9)

Ranking Methodology

• Focused on 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Evaluation parameters: Research, Outreach, Teaching, Campus Operations
• Key SDGs: Quality Education, Gender Equality, Climate Action, Clean Water, Clean Energy