Research methodology
THE WEEK-Hansa Research Best Universities Survey 2026 provides insight into the hierarchy of multidisciplinary, technical and medical universities in the country. This year, the study was done across 15 cities.
To be eligible, universities had to be recognised by the UGC, offer full-time postgraduate degree courses in at least two disciplines and should have graduated at least three batches from the postgraduate programmes.
A primary survey was conducted with 597 academic experts, across select cities. The respondents were asked to nominate and rank the top 20 universities in India.
Perceptual score was calculated based on the number of nominations and the actual ranks received.
For factual data collection, a dedicated website was created and the link was sent to universities. Eighty-one universities responded within the stipulated time.
Factual score was calculated based on information from universities and secondary sources on the following parameters: Age of the institution and accreditation, infrastructure and facilities, faculty, research and academics, student intake and exposure
Final score = Perceptual score (out of 400) + factual score (out of 600)
Some universities could not respond to the survey. Among them, for the universities which confirmed that they wished to be ranked, the composite score was derived by combining the perceptual score with an interpolated factual score based on their position in the perceptual score list.