In a major boost to India’s agricultural education and research, the ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has entered the QS World University Rankings 2026 for the first time in the Agriculture & Forestry subject category. The 121-year-old premier institute has been placed in the 151–200 band, marking a significant global recognition.
IARI is among only four Indian institutions in this band, alongside Banaras Hindu University, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, and the University of Delhi, underscoring its position among the country’s leading agricultural and multidisciplinary institutions.
Reacting to the achievement, Dr M.L. Jat, Director General of ICAR and Secretary, DARE, said that during the Chief Secretaries’ conference in December 2025, the Prime Minister particularly emphasized upon need to focus on developing skilled human capital in order to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat. In this context, strengthening Agricultural Higher Education in the country is the top priority of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
“ICAR is tirelessly working towards strengthening a world-class, multidisciplinary, research-intensive education ecosystem in higher education institutions under the ambit of the National Agricultural Research, Education and Extension System (NAREES),” Dr Jat added.
In the Agriculture & Forestry subject category of the QS Rankings 2026, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University has been ranked in the 201–250 band, while Aligarh Muslim University and Shoolini University have been placed in the 251–300 band. Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University has been ranked in the 301–350 band.
The QS subject rankings evaluate institutions globally on parameters such as academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, and international collaboration. IARI’s debut reflects its sustained contributions to agri-food systems research, human resource development, and the achievement of sustainable development goals.
The achievement is particularly noteworthy given the competitive global landscape of agricultural sciences, where institutions are assessed for both research excellence and societal impact. IARI’s performance highlights its integrated approach, combining fundamental research, translational science, and field-level outreach, including contributions to national programmes on crop improvement and climate-resilient agriculture. The institute’s strong alumni network and stakeholder trust have also enhanced its global visibility.