Latest news with #IIT-Madras
The Print
4 days ago
- Business
- The Print
QS Rankings: IIT-Madras breaks into top 200, but Indian institutes behind in foreign student intake
IIT-Madras broke into the top 200 for the first time, climbing 47 places to secure the 180th position. On the other hand, IIT-Bombay's rank declined to 129 from 118 the previous year. Released Friday, the latest QS World University Rankings saw IIT-Delhi emerge as the top-ranked Indian institution at 123, marking a jump of 27 places from the previous year. New Delhi: Three Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) were in the top 200 of the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026, which also showed Indian institutions lagging on key indicators, such as the international student ratio and faculty-student ratio. Overall, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US was the world's top university for the 14th consecutive year. While Imperial College London remained in second place, and Stanford University remained in third. Indian institutes performed well on indicators such as employer reputation, with five institutions featuring in the global top 100, including the IITs in Delhi, Bombay, Madras, and Kanpur, as well as Symbiosis International. Eight institutions ranked in the global top 100 for citations per faculty. Two universities—the University of Delhi and the University of Mumbai—also performed well in employment outcomes, securing spots in the top 100. However, the rankings show Indian institutes still lag in attracting foreign students, with no Indian university currently featuring in the global top 500 for this metric. Even India's top-performing research institutions, such as the IITs, which excel in indicators like academic reputation and citations per faculty, do not rank among the world's top 1,200 for international student ratio. Also Read: Road to expansion clear, but 3rd-gen IITs are caught in loop of low enrolment & falling placements Faculty-student ratio & international students The QS rankings are based on nine indicators: academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, citations per faculty, international student ratio, international faculty ratio, international research network, employment outcomes, and sustainability. This year they highlighted that 78 percent of Indian universities experienced a decline in their scores in the international student ratio indicator, while 63 percent saw a drop in their faculty-student ratio indicator. On the international student ratio indicator, Amity University in Noida ranks highest among Indian institutions, at 540th position with a score of 34.9. 'This highlights a key area for future focus as India seeks to strengthen its global engagement and position itself as a truly international education destination,' the QS statement said. In case of faculty-student ratio, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) is the only Indian university to feature in the global top 350, ranking at 257 this year—an improvement of 25 places since last year. 'However, 63 percent of Indian universities saw a decline in this indicator, highlighting one of the sector's most complex structural challenges. Faculty-student ratio is a critical measure of academic capacity and educational quality,' the statement added. 'As Indian universities work to expand access and enrollment, scaling faculty recruitment accordingly remains a persistent challenge—especially in the public sector, where resource constraints and regulatory frameworks can slow the pace of hiring.' Jessica Turner, CEO of QS, said Indian universities are clearly making progress in strengthening their global research footprint and advancing in areas such as citations per faculty, sustainability, and international research networks. 'But the rankings also highlight the next frontier—attracting more international students and faculty, and building academic capacity to support quality at scale,' she said. How IoEs & other institutes fared Among institutions showing improvement, IIT-Kharagpur climbed to 215 from 222 last year. IIT-Kanpur rose to 222 from 263, while IIT-Guwahati improved its position from 344 to 334. Some institutions recorded a drop in rankings, including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, which fell to 219 from 211 last year. IIT-Roorkee slipped from 335 to 339, while Anna University dropped from 383 to 465. Delhi University, meanwhile, maintained a status quo at 328. Six of India's 11 Institutions of Eminence (IoEs)—both public and private—improved their positions this year, including IIT Madras. Launched by the Union government in 2017, the IoE scheme was aimed at propelling Indian higher education institutions into top global rankings. University of Delhi, University of Hyderabad, and Banaras Hindu University retained their previous rankings. Among private universities, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) stood at 668th. Meanwhile, eight new Indian universities debuted on the rankings this year. These include IIT-Gandhinagar, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Lovely Professional University, Shiv Nadar University, and Ashoka University. As a result, according to the QS statement, India now has 54 institutions in the rankings, making it the fourth most represented country—behind only the US (192), the UK (90), and Mainland China (72). Dr Ashwin Fernandes, QS Regional Director for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, said the addition of eight Indian universities—more than any other country—signals an encouraging trajectory. 'With increasing global engagement, investment in research, and a sharp focus on employability, Indian universities are beginning to align more closely with the expectations of a rapidly evolving knowledge economy,' he said. (Edited by Sanya Mathur) Also Read: JEE Advanced 2025 results: IIT cutoffs drop to three-year low
Economic Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Economic Times
IIT-Madras's student is India's youngest female Ironman. Who is Renee Noronha?
Synopsis Renee Noronha, a 19-year-old IIT Madras student, has achieved a remarkable feat. She is now India's youngest female Ironman. Renee completed the Ironman Hamburg European Championship in an impressive 14 hours. This includes a 3.8 km swim, 180 km cycling, and a 42.2 km marathon. She balanced this with her studies. Earlier, she finished an Ironman in New Zealand. Renee Noronha is studying in Data Science and Applications in IIT-Madras. (Pic credits- @ At just 19, most college students are still figuring out their next exam schedule or summer internship. But Renee Noronha, a student of IIT Madras, has already conquered one of the world's most gruelling endurance challenges — not once, but twice. She's now officially India's youngest female Ironman, and her journey from a gymnast in Mumbai to the finish line of the Ironman Hamburg European Championship is nothing short of completed the triathlon — a 3.8 km swim, 180 km cycling, and a 42.2 km full marathon, all within a tight 17-hour window — in just 14 hours, shaving off over two and a half hours from her previous time at Ironman New Zealand. What's more impressive? She did it while balancing her academic load at one of India's most competitive story didn't start with triathlons. She was a professional artistic gymnast from the age of six to sixteen. Her transition to endurance sports happened somewhat unexpectedly after she participated in the Ironman Kids event in Goa at 16 and finished first in her age group. 'At first, it seemed like a sprint,' she told TOI, 'and I felt like doing more.' More turned out to be an Olympic-distance triathlon. And soon, a full Ironman. In 2023, at just 18 years and 49 days, Renee became the youngest Indian to finish a full Ironman in New Zealand. But it was in Hamburg, Germany, earlier this month, that she felt she truly pushed her to her followers on Instagram, Renee recounted the magic of hearing those four iconic words: 'You. Are. An. Ironman.' After crossing the finish line, she was handed her medal — a moment she described as 'the best of the entire day.' She met her dad, took photos, proudly held up the Indian flag, and made calls to family back home. She even got her medal engraved with her name and finish time — a personal keepsake that marked the culmination of months of sweat, pain, and persistence. A post-race massage turned into a sweet chat with a volunteer, who later asked Renee to leave her a message in a notebook — a moment Renee gladly immortalised. The next day, she hit the mall, waited 45 minutes for what she calls 'the best wagyu doner kebab,' met her coach for celebratory gelato, and headed to the airport. At Hamburg, Renee finished 15th in her age group (18-24) with a swim time of 1:30:33, a 6:58:54 bike ride, and a 5:16:45 marathon. Renee is currently based in London, where her family moved last year, but she continues to study remotely at IIT Madras, pursuing a degree in Data Science and Applications. Her roots, however, remain Goan — with family from Santa Cruz — and her ambitions stretch far beyond conventional 2023, at just 18 years and 49 days old, Renee Noronha became the youngest Indian woman to complete a full Ironman, achieving this feat at the Ironman New Zealand race. Battling cold winds and rain near the finish line, she impressively secured fourth place in her age group. With two Ironman finishes before turning 20, Renee has firmly established herself as a rising talent in the world of global endurance sports. ( Originally published on Jul 14, 2025 )
Mint
15-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia slams IIT-Madras director's comment on the benefits of cow urine
Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia has raised concerns over scientific credibility after a video of IIT-Madras Director V Kamakoti claiming cow urine has 'anti-bacterial and anti-fungal' properties went viral on social media. Reacting to the clip on X (formerly Twitter), Bhatia wrote, 'Shocked by IIT Madras Director's viral video claiming cow urine is 'anti-bacterial, anti-fungal' with digestive benefits. If educated leaders spout this, how can we trust their decisions for elite institutions?' The video in question, from a Maatu Pongal event held in Chennai earlier this year, shows Kamakoti narrating an anecdote about an ascetic who allegedly cured his fever by drinking cow urine. 'In 15 minutes, his fever subsided,' he said, adding that the practice has 'scientific backing'. The remarks, originally made during the 'Go Samrakshana Sala' event on January 15, resurfaced online, reigniting criticism over pseudoscientific claims being made by heads of academic institutions. Kamakoti also spoke at the event about the importance of organic farming and the role of indigenous cow breeds in agriculture and the rural economy. Bhatia's comment has triggered fresh debate on social media, with many questioning the line between tradition and science, while others defended Kamakoti's views as part of cultural belief systems. A user wrote, 'Andh bhakti knows no borders …it thrives across regions, classes, and age groups.' Another user commented, 'They have become educated by studying but their brain has not developed as expected. They have become so engrossed in religious faith that they have not been able to get out of the swamp of superstition.' Soon after his tweet went viral, Bhatia asked, 'After my tweet on the IIT Director's cow urine wisdom went viral, I thought it was an isolated case. But wait — now I see a cop sipping straight from the source, actors endorsing it, and a guru swearing by it. Seriously… did I miss the national memo? Is this the new elixir of India?' Earlier, the director's remarks had also drawn flak from political leaders and academics, who warned that such statements, made without medical consensus, risk undermining public trust in scientific research and education.
News18
14-07-2025
- Health
- News18
'Shocked': Hotmail Co-Founder Sabeer Bhatia Reacts To IIT Madras Director's Cow Urine Claim
Last Updated: Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia criticized IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti's viral video on cow urine's health benefits, sparking social media debate on its scientific credibility. Reacting to an old video of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Director V Kamakoti, Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia on Monday raised concerns over the credibility of elite academic institutions. The video of IIT-Madras director had gone viral earlier this year. In the video, Kamakoti had claimed that cow urine has 'anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties" and aids digestion. In response to the viral video, Bhatia wrote on X, 'Shocked by IIT-Madras Director's viral video claiming cow urine is 'anti-bacterial, anti-fungal" with digestive benefits. If educated leaders spout this, how can we trust their decisions for elite institutions?(sic)" Shocked by IIT Madras Director's viral video claiming cow urine is 'anti-bacterial, anti-fungal" with digestive benefits. If educated leaders spout this, how can we trust their decisions for elite institutions? 😲🇮🇳 #CowUrine #IITMadras #ScienceVsSuperstition — Sabeer Bhatia (@sabeer) July 14, 2025 His post has sparked widespread debate on social media as many netizens defended Kamakoti's view about cow urine, pointing to traditional practices and alternative medicine systems. While some backed Bhatia's concern, arguing that such statements undermine scientific credibility. Supporting Kamakoti's claims, a user on X that goes by the name @AyurvedaMonk wrote, '@sabeer ji is shocked that #IITMadras Director claimed the antibacterial & antifungal qualities of #CowUrine & he is very much worried about the scientific temper of this country & such elite I request you not to worry because entire world has been publishing large numbers of researches about cow urines' health benefits. I hope you'll find this attached tweet helpful & will share with others.(sic)" In the viral video, Kamakoti shared an anecdote about a person who reportedly cured his fever by consuming cow urine. 'An ascetic was having high fever and was thinking of calling a doctor. I forgot the sanyasi's name, but he said, 'Gomutran pinami' and immediately drank cow urine. In 15 minutes, his fever subsided," Kamakoti said in the video. While the IIT Madras director asserted that such practices have scientific grounding, critics argued that claims lacking consensus from the medical community can be misleading, especially when made by senior academic figures. Kamakoti had made the remarks during the 'Go Samrakshana Sala' event held on January 15 in Chennai as part of the Maatu Pongal celebrations. At the event, he had also emphasized the benefits of organic farming and the importance of indigenous cattle in agriculture and the economy. However, his comments drew sharp criticism from several political leaders. While critics had questioned the appropriateness of such claims coming from the head of a premier technical institution. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
11-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
India 'Will Have Largest Workforce By 2047': NSA Ajit Doval
Chennai: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Friday spoke about India's rising economic stature and military might on the world stage and also made a prophesy about likely milestones that the country will achieve by 2047, the landmark year when we celebrate 100 years of Independence. He said that the country has the potential to grow at an exponential rate and the GDP may grow by eight times will 2047. Doval, while addressing the gathering at the 62nd convocation ceremony of IIT-Madras, chronicled the country's journey from its troubled past to a bright future on the back of solid contributions from a host of national icons and also urged the students to shape themselves as dynamic leaders. The NSA also underlined the importance of adopting high-value technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and sought to draw a comparison with China in developing 5G technology. "The Chinese took 12 years and invested $300 billion to develop 5G. We didn't have that much time or that much money. But, in just two-and-a-half years, we went to create an indigenous alternative," he remarked. Rallying behind the popular sentiment at the conclave, Doval said that the big dreams of tomorrow are very much within our reach, however it requires collective effort of countrymen. He supported the views expressed by one of the learned professors that by 2047, India's GDP could multiply by as many as eight times and it could reach $32 trillion. "If that happens, our per capita income will grow from $2,500 dollars to $22,000. The country will have about 1.1 billion working population - highly skilled across multi-oriented disciplines. There will be a burgeoning middle class while the country's demography, civilisational and spiritual strength will add another dimension to its prowess," he told the gathering. He added that in contrast to India, China would have a squeezed workforce and may see its workforce reduce to 23 per cent to less of what it has today. The NSA called upon the students to prepare themselves as 'leaders of tomorrow' to sustain the multi-pronged challenges of the next era, as they will be the ones who will serve as the 'X factor'. He further said that the country's technological advancements will be at a critical juncture and will need a careful calibration to safeguard national security. Emphasizing on 'Operation Sindoor's' accuracy, Doval said that the entire operation was completed in 23 minutes and objected to irresponsible and careless reportage by foreign portals about damages on the Indian side. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
