Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
(IIT Kanpur)Last Updated: Jun 08, 2026
Established
1959
Campus Size
1055.00 Acres
Total Students
9,500
Faculty
450
Student-Faculty
21:1
IIT Kanpur Rankings: Recognition Among India's Premier Engineering Institutes
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur holds a prominent position in India's engineering education landscape, consistently earning recognition from major national ranking frameworks. The institute has established itself as one of the top-tier engineering institutions in the country, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and world-class faculty. IIT Kanpur's performance in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) underscores its standing among India's most reputable engineering colleges, where it competes alongside other premier IITs for recognition in engineering education, research output, and overall institutional performance.
Beyond national rankings, IIT Kanpur receives international recognition from globally renowned ranking systems including QS World University Rankings, which evaluates institutions on parameters such as academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, and international diversity. The institute's inclusion in these international ranking systems highlights its significance in the global higher education ecosystem and its appeal to international students and academic partnerships. IIT Kanpur's strong emphasis on research and innovation, combined with its rigorous curriculum and distinguished alumni network, contributes to its competitive positioning in world rankings of engineering and technology institutions.
The institute's consistent recognition across multiple ranking platforms reflects its dedication to maintaining the highest standards in engineering education, research infrastructure, and professional development. IIT Kanpur's reputation extends beyond rankings through its tangible contributions to industry, startups, and technological advancement. For prospective engineering students, these rankings serve as a testament to the institute's quality of education, faculty expertise, and the career prospects that come with an IIT degree, making it a preferred choice for competitive entrance examinations and higher engineering studies in India.
IIT Kanpur Rankings 2025
IIT Kanpur is ranked by 3 major ranking bodies as of 2025. The institution is ranked #4 in Engineering by India Today; #4 in Engineering by NIRF; #5 in Overall by QS India.
India Today
#4
Engineering · 2025
Score: 87.50
NIRF
#4
Engineering · 2025
Score: 86.70
QS India
#5
Overall · 2025
Score: 82.10
India Today Rankings
India Today Best Colleges Survey
| Category | Year | Rank | Score | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | 2025 | #4 |
87.50
|
1 |
| Engineering | 2024 | #3 |
88.10
|
— |
2025 vs 2024: 1 declined
NIRF Rankings
National Institutional Ranking Framework by the Ministry of Education, Government of India
| Category | Year | Rank | Score | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | 2025 | #4 |
86.70
|
1 |
| Engineering | 2024 | #3 |
87.30
|
— |
2025 vs 2024: 1 declined
QS India Rankings
Quacquarelli Symonds Indian University Rankings
| Category | Year | Rank | Score | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2025 | #5 |
82.10
|
1 |
| Overall | 2024 | #4 |
82.70
|
— |
2025 vs 2024: 1 declined
How IIT Kanpur Compares
India Today Engineering Rankings - Top 10 Institutions
| Institution | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank | Score | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | #2 | 90.00 | 1 | |
| #3 | #4 | 89.50 | 1 | |
|
IIT Kanpur
|
#4 | #3 | 87.50 | 1 |
| #5 | #6 | 86.80 | 1 | |
| #6 | #5 | 84.50 | 1 | |
| #7 | #8 | 82.30 | 1 | |
| #9 | #11 | 80.50 | 2 | |
| #10 | #12 | 79.50 | 2 | |
| #11 | #10 | 78.00 | 1 | |
| #12 | #13 | 77.50 | 1 |
Latest News about IIT Kanpur
IIT Kanpur Launches National Quantum Computing Research Centre with ₹150 Crore Funding
Apr 22, 2026
IIT Kanpur Placement Season 2025-26 Records Highest-Ever Average Package
Apr 22, 2026
IIT Kanpur Retains Top-5 Rank in NIRF 2026 Engineering Category
Apr 22, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions - IIT Kanpur Rankings
Q: What is the NIRF ranking of IIT Kanpur in 2025?
IIT Kanpur is ranked #4 in NIRF 2025 Engineering. It has consistently held a position within the top 5 in NIRF Engineering rankings. IIT Kanpur is known for its strong research output, innovative curriculum, and distinguished faculty, contributing to its high NIRF scores in teaching and research parameters.
Q: What is IIT Kanpur's QS World University ranking?
IIT Kanpur is ranked #263 in QS World University Rankings 2025. While this is lower than IIT Bombay (#118) and IIT Delhi (#150), IIT Kanpur has shown consistent improvement in QS rankings over recent years. The institute scores particularly well in employer reputation and academic peer review from engineering-focused assessments.
Q: How does IIT Kanpur compare with other IITs in rankings?
In NIRF 2025 Engineering: IIT Madras (#1), IIT Delhi (#2), IIT Bombay (#3), IIT Kanpur (#4), IIT Kharagpur (#5). In QS World: IIT Bombay (#118), IIT Delhi (#150), IIT Madras (#227), IIT Kanpur (#263). IIT Kanpur compensates with the highest average placement package (₹29.10 LPA) among the older IITs.
Q: Is IIT Kanpur an Institute of Eminence?
Yes, IIT Kanpur is designated as an Institute of Eminence (IoE) by the Government of India. It also holds NAAC A++ accreditation, is recognised as an Institute of National Importance under the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961, and its programmes are accredited by NBA (National Board of Accreditation).
Q: What is IIT Kanpur known for academically?
IIT Kanpur is particularly known for its Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering departments, which are among the best in India. The institute pioneered computer science education in India (the first IIT to establish a CS department in 1971 with Arpanet connectivity). IIT Kanpur's research in AI, robotics, and aerospace is nationally recognised.
Q: Has IIT Kanpur's ranking improved over the years?
IIT Kanpur has maintained a stable top-5 NIRF Engineering ranking. Its QS World ranking has seen improvement from #291 (2022) to #263 (2025). The institute's research output and industry partnerships have grown significantly, and its placement outcomes (₹29.10 LPA average) increasingly outperform higher-ranked IITs in terms of salary metrics.