India Today Best Colleges Survey 2026: Hindu College, SRCC, AIIMS emerge on top

The 13th annual India Today MDRA Best Colleges Survey evaluates 50,000 institutions across 14 streams to guide students seeking admission into undergraduate and postgraduate courses. For the 2026 edition, the survey introduces a new category ranking the most improved colleges based on their five-year growth trajectory.

The Hindu College secures the top position in both arts and science streams, while Shri Ram College of Commerce retains its dominance in commerce. In professional courses, AIIMS Delhi remains the top medical college, and the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, leads in law.

IIT Delhi tops the public engineering college rankings, with BITS Pilani securing the first spot among private engineering institutions. The survey also highlights institutions like Mount Carmel College, Kirori Mal College, and AIIMS Jodhpur for showing the greatest progress over time. Other top-ranking institutions include NIFT Delhi for fashion, IIMC Delhi for mass communication, and TISS Mumbai for social work, reflecting their consistent academic excellence and robust infrastructure.