Indian academics excelled in the 2025 Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientist Rankings, with 6,239 faculty members in the single-year list and 3,372 in the career-long category. IITs led with 755 researchers, followed by NITs (330) and IISc (117). Diverse institutions like AIIMS, ICAR, and private universities also featured prominently. Spanning 174 subfields, the rankings highlight India's growing research impact across disciplines, cementing its place in global academic excellence.

Indian academia has once again made a mark on the global stage with an impressive presence in the prestigious World's Top 2% Scientists ranking. This annual list, meticulously curated by Stanford University in collaboration with Elsevier, recognizes researchers across the globe for their exceptional contributions to their respective fields. In the 2025 edition, Indian scientists have performed commendably, with 6,239 faculty members making it to the single-year ranking and 3,372 securing a spot in the career-long impact category.

IITs Lead the Charge

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) continue to dominate as the largest contributors among Indian institutions, with 755 researchers earning a place on the list. The National Institutes of Technology (NITs) follow closely, boasting nearly 330 faculty members. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, a beacon of research excellence, has 117 scientists recognized for their impactful work.

Representation Across Disciplines

The rankings extend beyond engineering and technology, with significant representation from medical, agricultural, and multidisciplinary institutions. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), for instance, has 80 scholars featured, with 56 of them hailing specifically from AIIMS New Delhi. This strong showing underscores the pivotal role of medical research in India’s academic landscape.

Agricultural research also finds recognition, with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) contributing 88 scientists to the list. Private institutions like Chitkara University in Punjab have also made their mark, with 59 researchers being acknowledged for their scholarly influence.

Diverse Institutions Contribute

The rankings reflect the breadth and diversity of India's academic ecosystem. Jadavpur University and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) have 50 and 51 faculty members in the elite group, respectively. Aligarh Muslim University has 46 researchers recognized, while Panjab University stands out with 48. These institutions illustrate that India’s contributions to global research are not limited to its premier technical and medical colleges but extend to general and multidisciplinary universities as well.

A Multidisciplinary Showcase

The Stanford/Elsevier ranking spans 174 subfields and 22 major disciplines, ranging from chemistry and physics to specialized technical and medical areas. While larger research hubs dominate the list, the rankings also highlight the efforts of smaller institutions, regional colleges, and niche research centers. This inclusion reflects the depth and variety of research being conducted across the country.

A Benchmark for Academic Excellence

The Top 2% list has become a benchmark for global academic recognition, providing a valuable indicator of research impact for institutions and scholars alike. For Indian academia, the rankings serve as both a testament to its growing influence on the global stage and a source of inspiration for aspiring researchers.

India’s strong presence in this ranking is a reminder of the country’s vast intellectual capital and its potential to shape the future of science, technology, and innovation. As institutions across the nation continue to invest in research and development, their contributions to global knowledge are bound to grow even further.