New Delhi: After the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) and Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) featured in the Top 200 World University Rankings 2008, several other reputed institutions of higher learning from India have secured a spot among the top varsities of the world.

The 2008 edition of the THE-QS World University Rankings indicates the recognition of the depth of the Indian education system amongst the world's leading academics and employers with an increase to five in the world's top 400.

IIT-Delhi and IIT-Bombay, on the back of a worldwide improvement in technological universities, both reached the prestigious top-200 for the first time, cementing their positions as the leading schools in Asia and worldwide.

Also performing well, IIT-Kanpur and IIT-Madras have seen similar drastic increases in their rankings, a testament to the growing reputation of higher education in India.

Delhi University (DU) has, however, dropped several places to 274 this year. Last year, it stood at the 254th position.

Indian universities that feature amongst the top universities in the world are:

Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D)
2008 Rank: 154
2007 Rank: 307

Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B)
2008 Rank: 174
2007 Rank: 269

Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K)
2008 Rank: 242
2007 Rank: 401-500

Delhi University (DU)
2008 Rank: 274
2007 Rank: 254

Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M)
2008 Rank: 303
2007 Rank: 401-500

Now in its fifth year, the research is conducted by QS Quacquarelli Symonds. The rankings are published by the Times Higher Education.

Martin Ince, contributing editor of THE and co-editor of the Top Universities Guide says, "These rankings use an unprecedented and accurate amount of data to deliver the best overall look at the strength of the world's top universities. They are important for governments wanting to gauge the progress of their education systems, and are used in planning by universities across the world."

"The rankings allow prospective students, parents, academics, employers and journalists to gain an insight into international university education, helping them to make the right choices, whether it is in selecting a university for study or for partnership", Nunzio Quacquarelli, Managing Director of QS and co-editor of the Top Universities Guide told NNE.