Shoolini University Ranked India’s No. 1 Private University in QS 2026 Rankings

Solan June 19

Shoolini University has once again been named the top private university in India, according to the QS World University Rankings 2026, released by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
This year, Shoolini University has moved up significantly in the global rankings from 587 last year to 503 in 2026 out of 1501 institutions worldwide. This big jump shows the university’s growing global reputation and its strong focus on quality education and research.
Among all Indian universities in the rankings, Shoolini now stands at 11th position, moving up from 14th last year, while continuing to lead as India’s highest-ranked private university.
A standout achievement for Shoolini is its performance in the Citations per Faculty metric, which reflects research impact. The university has been ranked 138th globally in this category, reaffirming its position as the top-ranked private university in India for research excellence.
Shoolini University Founder and Chancellor Prof. P.K. Khosla said, “Our consistent rise in global rankings reflects the academic and research culture we’ve nurtured over the years. It’s rewarding to see our efforts gaining international recognition as we work toward building a truly world-class university from India”
Mr. Vishal Anand, Pro Chancellor, Shoolini University remarked, “It’s a proud moment to once again be recognised as India’s leading private university. Securing the 138th global rank in Citations per Faculty highlights the strength of our research ecosystem and the meaningful work being done by our faculty and scholars.”
Prof. Atul Khosla, Vice-Chancellor Shoolini University, congratulated all faculty members, staff, and students for their dedication and relentless efforts that have contributed to this milestone.
Prof. Khosla also stated, “Whether student, teacher, or administrator adopts a mindset of innovation, embraces artificial intelligence, and uses it to its full potential to redefine what is possible in education and research.”
The QS World University Rankings 2026 assessed institutions across a range of metrics, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty and students, and sustainability. A total of 54 Indian institutions featured in this year’s rankings, with Shoolini University continuing to stand out as a leader in research and innovation among them.
About Shoolini University
Shoolini University, nestled in the serene foothills of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, is renowned for its research-driven approach and consistently ranks among India’s top private universities. It has been recognized as India’s No. 1 Private University in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026 and Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2025 and as a Top 100 NIRF University in 2024, further distinguished by its NAAC A+ accreditation.
Shoolini is home to a vibrant community of passionate researchers, diligent students and dedicated faculty. The university is deeply committed to sustainability with a 100% solar-powered campus that recycles every drop of water and implements sustainable practices to minimize its ecological footprint.