MAHE's Landmark Achievement in THE Impact Rankings 2026
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, has secured the world No. 1 position for SDG 5 - Gender Equality in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2026. This marks a significant leap from rank 11 in the previous edition, reflecting MAHE's focused efforts on promoting gender equity.
In addition to this top rank, MAHE achieved rank 5 globally for SDG 3 - Good Health & Well-being, a dramatic improvement from rank 74 in 2025. The university also improved its rank for SDG 4 - Quality Education from 43 to 23, and for SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals, it jumped from the 601-800 band to rank 93. Overall, MAHE retained its position in the 101-200 global band.
Strategic Focus on Sustainable Development Goals
The rankings recognize MAHE's commitment to research, teaching, outreach, and institutional stewardship aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Dr. Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, stated: "MAHE's performance in the THE Impact Rankings 2026 is a testament to our unwavering commitment to creating meaningful societal impact through education, research, healthcare, and community engagement. Securing the No. 1 global rank for Gender Equality and achieving top-five status in Good Health & Well-being reflect the collective efforts of our faculty, researchers, students, healthcare professionals, and partners."
Dr. Christopher Sudhakar, Director Quality, MAHE, added: "MAHE's outstanding performance in the THE Impact Rankings 2026 reflects a deeply embedded culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement across the institution. Achieving the No. 1 global rank for SDG 5 and significant advancements in SDGs 3, 4, and 17 demonstrate that our quality assurance framework extends beyond academic excellence to creating measurable societal impact."
Institutional Context and Future Outlook
MAHE offers over 400 specializations across Health Sciences, Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Technology & Science streams, with campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. In 2020, the Ministry of Education awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, MAHE continues to strengthen its global standing through enhanced collaboration, broadened access to quality education, and impactful community outreach initiatives.
