Delhi Crowned the World’s Most Affordable Student City in QS Best Student Cities 2026.
International
Delhi has recently earned first place globally for affordability in the QS Best Student Cities 2026 rankings, part of a broader rise by Indian metros. This significant win reflects educational reforms, cost advantages, and rising employer confidence.
- In the latest rankings released on 9 July 2025 by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, Delhi climbed from 117th to 104th place overall and topped the global affordability index with a near-perfect score of 96.5. This evaluation included metrics for living expenses, tuition levels, and scholarship access.
- Mumbai secured the highest overall ranking among Indian cities at 98th, marking a sharp 15-place leap from last year. Bengaluru and Chennai also posted strong gains, advancing to 108th and 128th, respectively. The improvement reflects a “growing global appeal” of India’s higher education hubs.
- Delhi’s rise as the most budget-friendly student city aligns with national reforms like the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), which focus on internationalization, quality, and research-led development. QS CEO Jessica Turner noted these rankings signify “a structural shift in the country’s higher education landscape”.
Main Point :- (i) Beyond affordability, Delhi and Mumbai broke into the global top 50 in the “Employer Activity” indicator—reflecting strong demand for graduates. Bengaluru surged 41 places to reach 59th in that metric, while Chennai jumped 29 spots, showcasing rising trust in India’s student talent pool.
(ii) The presence of top-tier institutions also supports these results. Delhi hosts prestigious universities like IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Delhi and the University of Delhi. Mumbai features IIT Bombay and University of Mumbai. Bengaluru and Chennai are strong with institutions such as IISc (Indian Institute of Science), IIM (Indian Institute of Management) Bangalore, Anna University, and IIT Madras.
(iii) This year’s QS rankings coincide with India’s landmark achievement in the QS World University Rankings 2026, where a record 54 Indian universities appeared, making India the fourth most represented country globally. IIT Delhi led Indian higher education with its highest-ever placement at joint 123rd.
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