India rises in QS World Rankings, 54 institutions ranked in 2026 list

India's higher education institutes scaled up global rankings with a record 54 universities being pegged as the global best, according to QS World University Rankings in 2026. It is up from 46 in 2025 and 45 in 2024, making India's representation the fourth-largest after the US, UK, and China.
The number will rise further, said education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on the back of India's National Education Policy's thrust on research, innovation, and internationalisation. 'Our government is committed to furthering research and innovation ecosystems for the benefit of India's youth,' said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. IIRF also came out with India's top research institutes on Thursday.

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Hindustan Times

42 minutes ago

• Hindustan Times

Khalistani extremists using Canada to plan violence in India: Intel report

New Delhi: Politically motivated violent extremism threat in Canada since mid-1980s has manifested through Khalistani extremists seeking to use violent means to create an independent nation state called Khalistan within India's Punjab, a report by Ottawa's intelligence agency has said. It said a small group of Khalistani extremists are continuing to use Canada as a base for fundraising and planning of violence primarily in India. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service's report for 2024 was released on Wednesday, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney with a focus on rebuilding bilateral ties that plummeted to an all-time low following a diplomatic spat over the killing of a Khalistani separatist. The report said ongoing involvement in violent activities by Canada-based Khalistani extremists continues to pose a national security threat to Canada and Canadian interests. The report was also critical of New Delhi for what it called India's foreign interference activities in Canada. 'In particular, real and perceived Khalistani extremism emerging from Canada continues to drive Indian foreign interference activities in Canada,' it alleged. The report appeared to clearly vindicate New Delhi's consistent position that pro-Khalistani elements in Canada have been carrying out anti-India activities with impunity. 'Since the mid-1980s, the PMVE (politically motivated violent extremism) threat in Canada has manifested primarily through Canada-based Khalistani extremists seeking to use and support violent means to create an independent nation state called Khalistan, largely within Punjab,' the report said. Under its India section, the report alleged that 'Indian officials, including their Canada-based proxy agents, engage in a range of activities that seek to influence Canadian communities and politicians'. 'When these activities are deceptive, clandestine or threatening, they are deemed to be foreign interference,' it claimed. New Delhi had previously trashed such charges levelled by Canadian authorities. The report also said China poses the greatest intelligence threat to Canada, besides naming Pakistan, Russia and Iran. The report also mentioned the case of killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The India-Canada relations hit rock bottom following then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in 2023 of a potential Indian link to the killing of Nijjar. India had rejected the charges. In October last year, India recalled its high commissioner and five other diplomats after Ottawa attempted to link them to the Nijjar case. India also expelled an equal number of Canadian diplomats. The report said Canada's investigation into the 2023 killing of Nijjar continued in 2024. 'Four individuals were arrested in May 2024 and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Criminal proceedings are ongoing,' it said. 'In mid-October, as part of ongoing RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) investigations, the RCMP announced that evidence pointed to a link between agents of the government of India and criminal networks to sow violent activity in South Asian communities in Canada,' the report alleged.

The Hindu

an hour ago

• The Hindu

PM Modi likely to participate in photoshoot with foreign students on Yoga Day

Around 400 foreign students pursuing their education in various educational institutions in the city are likely to interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and even go for a photoshoot during the International Yoga Day celebrations schedule to be held on June 21. According to a tentative schedule, Mr. Modi may interact with the foreign students, a majority of them studying in Andhra University and GITAM Deemed to be University, briefly, sources said. At least 2,000 foreign students from over 50 countries are pursuing their UG, PG and PhD courses in various institutions in the city. These include around 1,000 from AU and 470 from GITAM. With their academic year scheduled to begin in July, most of them have gone on summer vacations. These institutions are bringing the available foreign students to the event and training them in yoga. During a conversation with some foreign students on Thursday with The Hindu, many of them said that the practice session was their first experience as they had never done yoga. 'Many of us are in the habit of going to the gym, playing indoor and outdoor games. Yoga is new for us. We have been practising yoga for the last week and it gives the feeling of wellbeing,' said Victor from Uganda, who pusrusing education in GITAM Deemed to be Unviersity A Japanese national, Soko Takeuchi, who did her PG in yoga in Pune, is currently pursuing her Ph.D at Department of Yoga and Consciousness at Andhra University. She is now a trainer for international students of AU. Every day, 90 to 100 students get trained by her in the international hostel. 'I love yoga. I am happy that I am a trainer for the international students,' Ms. Soko told The Hindu. Elina Mubhengi, an AU student from Nambia said, 'I had read about yoga in my school days, but after joining my course here at AU, I experienced it first hand. I am happy to know that our university has a Yoga Village for individuals who are interested in pursuing courses.' GITAM University Director (International Students Affairs) Prof. K.P.C. Kishan said that many students were not aware of yoga. 'Now, they are learning it and are getting a positive feeling. We have learnt about the special interaction programme with the Prime Minister. We are waiting for the final call from the organisers of the event,' he said. AU International students co-ordinator for yoga event, Prof. N.M Yugandhar said, 'We have been allotted compartment C-2, which is 100 metres away from the main venue at the RK beach. Around 150 foreign students from our university, who have been trained by Japanese yoga expert Soko, will participate in the event.'

First Post

an hour ago

• First Post

FirstUp: Air India to cut wide-body international flights, Iran foreign minister in Geneva... Top news today

Air India will reduce its international services on wide-body aircraft by 15 per cent starting today and will continue until at least mid-July amid concerns over safety and operational challenges after the Ahmedabad plane crash. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet his European counterparts in Geneva today as the conflict with Israel escalates read more Air India has announced a temporary reduction in its international services, cutting wide-body aircraft operations by 15 per cent starting today, a move that will remain in effect until at least mid-July. File image/ PTI Friday, June 20, is going to be a busy end to the week, with several important events lined up for the day. First, Air India will reduce its international services on wide-body aircraft by 15 per cent starting today and will continue thereafter until at least mid-July. The decision comes just days after the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, amid escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, Tehran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Geneva to meet his European counterparts in Geneva. The United Nations' Security Council (UNSC) will also hold their emergency session on the West Asian conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Narendra Modi will also visit Odisha and participate in a state-level event scheduled at Janata Maidan. Here is all that is set to take place today. Air India to cut wide-body international flights Air India has announced a temporary reduction in its international services, cutting wide-body aircraft operations by 15 per cent starting today, a move that will remain in effect until at least mid-July. The airline, which typically operates around 70 international flights daily using its twin-aisle fleet, is scaling back amid a series of operational challenges. Air India has announced a temporary reduction in its international services, cutting wide-body aircraft operations by 15 per cent starting June 20. File image A combination of factors has led to this decision. Airspace closures across several countries have increased flight durations to and from Western destinations. Additionally, following last Thursday's crash of flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad, enhanced inspections of Boeing 787 aircraft have further limited the availability of wide-body planes. In recent days, a number of Air India flights have experienced delays and cancellations, prompting growing concerns among passengers. Iran's Foreign Minister to meet European counterparts in Geneva Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to meet with his European counterparts in Geneva today, as an Israeli airstrike campaign continues to target his country. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to meet with top European diplomats in Geneva today. File Image/Reuters According to Iran's state news agency IRNA, Araghchi will hold talks with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Araghchi noted that the meeting is taking place at the request of the European foreign ministers. As per a Times of Israel report citing a German source, the aim of the talks between Iran and the Europeans, taking place in coordination with the United States, is to persuade the Iranian side to firmly guarantee that it will use its nuclear program solely for civilian purposes. The talks are said to be followed by a structured dialogue at the expert level. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD UNSC to hold emergency session on Israel-Iran conflict The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting for Friday to address the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. This marks the second session requested by Iran in recent days, with support from Russia, China, and Pakistan, following Israel's recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. As part of its request, Iran has asked for briefings from the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, as well as the UN political affairs chief, Rosemary DiCarlo, to once again address the council. PM Modi to visit Odisha Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Odisha on Friday to mark the one-year anniversary of the BJP-led government in the state. After arriving at Biju Patnaik International Airport, the prime minister will lead a roadshow and participate in a 'Tiranga Yatra' on his way to Janata Maidan, where the main anniversary event will be held. PM Modi will travel to Mumbai and is scheduled to inaugurate the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (Waves). PTI/File Photo Modi is expected to address a public gathering during the celebration, where he will highlight the government's achievements and outline future plans for the state. As part of the event, the Odisha government will also unveil its 'Vision Document for 2036,' laying out long-term development goals and priorities. In anticipation of large crowds and to ensure smooth arrangements, the state government has declared a school holiday in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack on Thursday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India-England test series The much-awaited Test series between India and England is all set to kick off a fresh cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (2025–27), bringing two red-ball powerhouses head-to-head once again. The first of the five-Test series begins on Friday, June 20, at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds, promising a thrilling contest between two sides. India Squad Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & Wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav England Squad Ben Stokes (Captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes With input from agencies