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The Hindu
8 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Urgent need seen for integrating Indian Knowledge Systems in today's education
There is an urgent need to integrate the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into the current education system, Ashok Rao, retired professor from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) said in Dharwad on Thursday. 'We should all realise its importance and efforts should be made to give it due prominence,' Prof. Rao said. He was delivering a special lecture on Indian Knowledge Systems as part of an eight-day refresher programme titled Perspective and Sensitivity of the New National Education Policy, organised by the Malaviya Mission Teachers Training Centre at Karnatak University. Prof. Rao emphasised that the Indian education system has traditionally held its own unique significance. He explained that globally, there are five major knowledge systems—Western, Arabic, Indian, and Indigenous knowledge systems—among which the Western Knowledge System has had a dominant influence on India's current educational structure. He noted that the Western model has greatly impacted the economic, social, and industrial sectors across the world, including India. 'However, we must now focus on understanding and strengthening Indian Knowledge Systems,' he said. Highlighting the pluralistic and multicultural dimensions of Indian education, Prof. Rao said the importance of transmitting the Indian Knowledge Systems to the current generation through well-structured educational institutions. He called for reforms in both the curriculum and institutional-focused education models to better reflect Indian values. Indian Knowledge Systems is deeply rooted in culture, ethics, religion, diversity, wellness, traditions, and heritage. However, currently, there is a shortage of qualified teachers to effectively impart this knowledge. Prof. Rao said that Gautam Buddha deserves credit for introducing the concept of meditation from India to the world.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
QS World University Rankings 2026: IIT Delhi leads the way, see the full list of Indian universities and their rankings
India makes biggest leap in QS World Rankings 2026, IIT Delhi leads at 123rd. (Getty Images) QS World Rankings 2026: India has recorded its most robust presence yet in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with a total of 54 institutions making the list. This marks a significant rise from 46 universities in 2025 and 45 in 2024. The 390% increase from just 11 ranked universities in 2014 positions India as the fastest-growing higher education system among G20 nations. It also ranks India as the fourth most represented country in the global rankings, behind the U.S., UK, and China. This upward trajectory reflects a growing focus on improving the quality and international visibility of Indian higher education institutions. However, while the quantity of ranked universities is increasing, India continues to face challenges in aspects critical to global competitiveness, such as international student diversity and faculty resources. Top performers and rising stars At the forefront of India's academic success is the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), which climbed to a joint 123rd position with Georgia Institute of Technology, USA — its best-ever ranking. In previous years, IIT Delhi was ranked 150th in 2025 and 197th in 2024, showing steady improvement. This rise is underpinned by strong scores in employer reputation (ranked 50th globally), citations per faculty (86th), and academic reputation (142nd), reflecting growing recognition among employers and peers alike. IIT Bombay remains among the top Indian universities, holding the 129th spot despite slipping from its all-time best rank of 118 last year. The institution scores particularly well for employer reputation, ranked 39th worldwide. Another notable highlight is IIT Madras, which leapt 47 places to break into the global top 200 for the first time, now positioned at 180th. This represents one of the most significant ranking improvements in 2026. Other prominent Indian universities in the global top 500 include IIT Kharagpur (215), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore (219), and IIT Kanpur (222). Additionally, prestigious non-IIT institutions such as Delhi University (328) and Anna University (465) continue to maintain respectable positions. Rank University Location Overall Score Citations per Faculty Academic Reputation 123 Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) New Delhi 65.5 93.1 67.9 129 Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) Mumbai 64.8 82.9 73 180 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) Chennai 58.4 90.2 57 215 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) Kharagpur 54.5 97 43 219 Indian Institute of Science Bangalore 54.2 99.9 56.6 222 Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) Kanpur 54 84.1 49.4 334 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) Guwahati 42.3 96.9 25.4 339 Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR) Roorkee 42.2 96.6 26.8 556 Indian Institute of Technology Indore Indore 30 97 8 566 Indian Institute of Technology BHU Varanasi Varanasi 29.3 98 9.3 664 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) Sangareddy 26.4 84 10.3 691 Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) Vellore 25 34.3 20.5 801-850 Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) Gandhinagar n/a 53.2 7 851-900 Manipal Academy of Higher Education Manipal n/a 9.7 14.7 951-1000 Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar Bhubaneswar n/a 55.6 5 1401+ Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad Prayagraj n/a 27.5 4 Ongoing challenges in internationalisation and faculty ratio Despite these improvements, India's rise in global higher education has been uneven. One of the key areas of concern remains the International Students Ratio. A substantial 78% of Indian universities have witnessed a decline in this metric, and no Indian institution ranks within the top 500 globally for attracting international students. This impacts campus diversity and global exposure for students. Read Also: India hits new high in QS rankings with 54 entrants Furthermore, the Faculty-Student Ratio presents structural challenges. OP Jindal Global University stands out as the only Indian university within the global top 350 for this indicator, highlighting a broader need for faculty expansion and better resource allocation across institutions. QS World University Rankings 2026: MIT takes the lead, see which other institutions made the top 10 The rankings also reveal a slight dip in the number of Indian universities in the global top 500, falling from 12 in 2025 to 11 in 2026, suggesting room for improvement despite the growth in overall presence. India's place in the Asia-pacific context and global outlook India's rise contrasts with the broader Asia-Pacific region, which now leads globally with 565 ranked universities, surpassing Europe (487) and the Americas (358). With the addition of eight new Indian universities — more than any other country — India signals expanding institutional momentum and a commitment to advancing research capacity and international recognition. Globally, the QS World University Rankings 2026 were once again topped by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for the 14th consecutive year, followed by Imperial College London, Stanford University, University of Oxford, and Harvard University. This global context underscores India's emerging role in a rapidly evolving, multipolar academic landscape. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Choosing A College In 2025? These Are India's Top 10 Universities According To Global Rankings
Board exam results are out, and for many students, the next big step is choosing the right college or university. With so many options across the country, it can be difficult to decide. Students can refer to the US News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings 2025 to get insights into top institutions globally and in India. This ranking evaluates universities based on academic reputation, research output, and global standing, helping students make informed decisions about their higher education options. This year, more than 2,250 universities from 105 countries were evaluated, and several Indian universities have earned top spots. If you are looking for the best in education, research, and career opportunities, these universities are worth considering. India's Top 10 Universities In Global Rankings Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Chennai Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Shoolini University, Bajhol Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Mumbai Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore and Chennai Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi Symbiosis International University, Pune In addition to these, many other Indian universities have also been featured in the rankings. These include Chandigarh University, IIT Kharagpur, Banaras Hindu University, Panjab University, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, University of Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, and AIIMS New Delhi. Private institutions like Amity University, JSS Academy, BITS Pilani, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Lovely Professional University, and Christian Medical College Vellore are also among the top performers. For students who are still undecided, this global list is a helpful guide to choosing the right college. Whether your goal is research, job opportunities, or international exposure, these universities offer strong academic foundations.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Fungus, not insect, is true source of prized lac pigment: Indian Institute of Science studeyt
Bengaluru: The red lac pigment, long thought to be made by insects, may actually originate from a yeast-like fungus living symbiotically inside them, researchers at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have found. By sequencing the lac insect's microbial community, the team from department of developmental biology and genetics discovered that only the fungus, not the insect or its bacteria, carried genes needed to produce laccaic acid, the key compound in the pigment. Their findings were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "For thousands of years, India has been a key producer of lac pigment," Shantanu Shukla, assistant professor and corresponding author of the study, said. The pigment, derived from resin secreted by the insect, is widely used in textiles, food colouring, handicrafts, and traditional art. Lac insects, which feed on the sugary sap of host trees such as "Butea monosperma" (commonly known as Flame of the Forest), secrete shellac and laccaic acid. However, the pathway through which the pigment is synthesised has remained unclear for decades. Repeated efforts to locate the required genes in the insect's own genome had been unsuccessful. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The new study suggests the insect lacks the capability to produce tyrosine, an amino acid essential for laccaic acid synthesis, and relies instead on microbial partners. "Such missing nutrients are often supplied by symbiotic bacteria or fungi in insects," said Shukla. By sequencing the bacterial and fungal communities associated with the insect, researchers narrowed down their search to two candidates: a "Wolbachia" bacterium and a yeast-like fungus. The fungus, previously hinted at, but not fully characterised in earlier studies, turned out to possess the entire genetic toolkit for pigment synthesis. This included genes for enzymes that catalyse the formation of aromatic molecules, which form the structural basis of laccaic acid. According to Vaishally, a PhD student and first author of the paper, isolating the role of the fungus was not straightforward. "The fungus is uncultivable, and the insects cannot survive outside their host plants. All our work had to be done using plant-reared insects, which made it challenging," she said. One striking feature of the fungus is its location and mode of inheritance. It is present not just in the insect's haemolymph — comparable to blood — but also inside its egg cells. "The fungus enters the oocyte as it matures and is passed on to the next generation. This kind of vertical transmission is rare and noteworthy," Shukla said. Researchers also observed treating the insects with a fungicide led to reduced pigment production and stunted growth. This indicates the insect likely depends on the fungus for more than just pigment synthesis, possibly for other nutrients it cannot obtain from its sap-based diet. "The yeast-like organism is central to the story. Fungal symbionts are still poorly understood in insects, and this study adds to our understanding of their evolutionary role," Shukla said. The findings suggest a more complex biological relationship behind the production of lac pigment than previously known, and may open up avenues for studying fungal symbiosis in other pigment-producing insects.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
IISc researchers unravel the mystery behind how lac insect produces pigment
In a new study, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have unravelled the mystery behind how the lac insect produces laccaic acid that is used to make lac pigment. The lac pigment is a prized commodity used in food colouring, textiles, dyes, handicrafts, and folk art. According to IISc, the lac insect grows on certain trees (like the flame of the forest), drinks its sugary sap, and secretes a sticky resin called shellac. It also makes a bright red compound called laccaic acid, which is used to make the pigment. 'How the insect produces laccaic acid has remained a source of mystery. For decades, scientists have unsuccessfully hunted for genes coding for its synthesis in the insect's genome,' IISc said. However, now the researchers have found that the colourful pigment extracted from the lac insect may actually be produced by a symbiotic yeast-like organism living inside the insect. The team also showed that the yeast-like organism exclusively harbours genes coding for key ingredients in the pigment synthesis pathway. India, a key producer 'For thousands of years, India has been a key producer of lac pigment. The pathway for the pigment production was not very clear,' said Shantanu Shukla, assistant professor in the Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, IISc. IISc said that one of the key ingredients required for laccaic acid synthesis is an amino acid called tyrosine, which the insect cannot make on its own or source from the tree sap. Such missing ingredients are usually supplied by symbiotic bacteria or fungi that live inside insect bodies and secrete these molecules in exchange for housing. The team sequenced the entire bacterial and fungal microbiome of the insect and zeroed in on two possible candidates: a bacterium belonging to the Wolbachia genus and a yeast-like fungus. Previous studies by other researchers had hinted at the presence of the fungus but had not identified it or sequenced its genome. In the current study, the team found that neither the insect nor the bacterium carried the genes needed to make tyrosine and other components of the pigment pathway. But the yeast-like organism did — it carried the entire set of genes needed for laccaic acid production. This includes genes coding for various enzymes which catalyse the production of aromatic molecules that are the building blocks of laccaic acid. Inside egg cell Mr. Shukla said that the fungus is actually inside the insect's oocyte (egg cell). The fungus floats around in the insect's haemolymph — the equivalent of animal blood — and as soon as the oocyte matures, it latches on to it and enters the oocyte, and gets transmitted to the offspring that emerges from the oocyte.
