For more than two millennia, Sarnath has been a place where history, faith and archaeology converge. Located about 10 km from Varanasi, the site is believed to be where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, laying the foundation for the spread of Buddhism across Asia.

UNESCO inscribed Sarnath on the World Heritage List during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea. The decision makes it India’s 45th World Heritage Site, recognising its “Outstanding Universal Value”—a designation reserved for places considered important to the shared heritage of humanity.

The inscription comes at a time when countries are increasingly seeking global recognition not only for iconic monuments but also for cultural landscapes that have shaped civilizations and continue to influence communities today.

The Cradle of Buddhist Teachings

Long before it became an archaeological site, Sarnath was a centre of learning and pilgrimage. According to Buddhist tradition, it was here that Buddha delivered the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, or the First Sermon, introducing the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

The site later flourished under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka, who erected monuments that continue to define Sarnath’s landscape. Among them are the Dhamek Stupa, the remains of monasteries and temples, and the Ashokan Pillar, whose Lion Capital was adopted as India’s National Emblem after Independence.

Archaeologists consider Sarnath an important record of how Buddhist art, architecture and monastic traditions evolved and travelled beyond the Indian subcontinent.

What Makes a Site Worthy of UNESCO Recognition?

UNESCO’s World Heritage List is not simply a catalogue of famous monuments. To qualify, a site must demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value, meaning its significance extends beyond national borders and holds importance for present and future generations.

For cultural sites, UNESCO evaluates whether they represent exceptional achievements in architecture, urban planning, art or history, or whether they bear unique testimony to a civilisation or cultural tradition. Equally important are the site’s authenticity, its physical integrity and the existence of a long-term conservation and management plan.

The nomination process itself often takes several years. Countries first place potential sites on a Tentative List before preparing detailed documentation that is reviewed by independent experts. The World Heritage Committee then makes the final decision.

Among This Year’s New World Heritage Sites

Sarnath’s inscription was one among several decisions taken during the ongoing World Heritage Committee meeting. The committee also recognised the Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara in Japan for their role in the emergence of the Japanese imperial state, the Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites in China for documenting centuries of porcelain production, the Mount Amel Castles in Lebanon for their medieval military architecture, and the Rock Mosques and Associated Sacred Sites of Mangystau in Kazakhstan for their religious and cultural significance.

Together, these inscriptions reflect UNESCO’s effort to recognise diverse histories—from centres of religion and political power to industrial heritage and sacred landscapes—that have shaped societies across different parts of the world.

Recognition Demands Responsibility

World Heritage status often brings greater international visibility. It can attract researchers, pilgrims and tourists while encouraging governments to strengthen conservation measures and site management.

Yet the designation also raises important questions. Many World Heritage Sites around the world face increasing pressure from tourism, urban expansion and climate-related threats. For heritage managers, the challenge lies in balancing public access with the preservation of fragile monuments and archaeological remains.

In Sarnath’s case, the UNESCO inscription is likely to draw renewed global attention to one of Buddhism’s most sacred places. Whether that attention translates into stronger conservation, better visitor management and sustained investment in preserving the site’s archaeological wealth will determine the long-term impact of the recognition.

UNESCO’s recognition may formalise Sarnath’s place on the world map of heritage, but the greater distinction lies in ensuring that a site which shaped the course of human thought does not become merely a relic of it.

Choosing a university today is about much more than academics. Students now evaluate affordability, career opportunities, safety, research facilities, campus life and overall quality of living before deciding where to study. This shift has made student cities an important factor in higher education choices, as learners increasingly select not just a university, but a city where they can build their careers and shape their future.

For India, these choices carry national importance. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, more than 1.3 million Indian students were studying abroad in 2024, making India one of the world’s largest sources of international students. At the same time, the government wants to turn India into a global education hub through the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Study in India programme and by allowing foreign universities to open campuses in the country.

The QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings offer a useful reality check on how close India is to achieving that goal. Unlike university rankings, which judge institutions, this index measures what it is actually like to study and live in a city. This year, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai made it to the world’s top 150 student cities. The rankings highlight India’s biggest strengths—affordability and strong job prospects—but they also reveal where the country still has work to do.

Four Cities, One Picture of India’s Higher Education

India has one of the world’s largest higher education systems. According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021–22, the country has 1,168 universities, more than 45,000 colleges and over 4.3 crore students enrolled. Yet, despite this scale, only four Indian cities feature in the global rankings.

Mumbai is India’s highest-ranked student city at 91st, followed by Delhi (99th), Bengaluru (114th) and Chennai (123rd). Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai all climbed higher this year, while Bengaluru dropped six places.

The rankings also reflect India’s growing academic reputation. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, India had 52 universities listed—up from just 14 in 2017. That makes India the fifth most represented higher education system in the world. But stronger universities have not automatically made Indian student cities more attractive to students from across the globe.

Delhi Tops the World in Affordability

If there is one area where India clearly stands out, it is affordability. Delhi was ranked the world’s most affordable student city, with average international tuition fees of about US$2,700 a year. Mumbai ranked 12th, while Bengaluru and Chennai also featured among the world’s 30 most affordable student cities. The ranking takes into account both tuition fees and everyday living costs, including accommodation, transport and other daily expenses.

This comes at an important time. Tuition fees are rising in many popular study destinations, while tighter visa rules and changing immigration policies in countries such as Canada and Australia have made overseas education more expensive and uncertain.

Indian student cities also scored well in Employer Activity, an indicator that measures how attractive graduates are to employers using recruiter surveys and labour market data. Delhi ranked 29th globally and Mumbai 34th, showing that students graduating from these cities have strong employment prospects. Together, affordability and employability make a compelling combination. But in today’s competitive education market, they are only part of the story.

The Missing Piece: International Students

While more than 1.3 million Indians study abroad, India hosts only around 50,000 international students. Nearly one-third of them come from Nepal, showing that the country’s international student community is still concentrated in neighbouring countries rather than drawing students from across the world.

This gap is clearly visible in the Student Mix indicator, which measures the proportion of international students, the diversity of their nationalities, the size of the student population and how inclusive a city is. Mumbai ranked last globally at 150th, Delhi stood at 146th, while Bengaluru and Chennai were also among the bottom six student cities worldwide.

The message is clear: low costs alone cannot build a global education destination. Students today compare much more than tuition fees. They look for cutting-edge research, international collaborations, multicultural campuses, efficient public transport, safe neighbourhoods, affordable housing, student support services and a vibrant city life. These are the qualities that make education hubs such as Seoul, Tokyo and London stand out year after year.

Different Cities, Different Strengths

Each of India’s four ranked student cities has its own identity and strengths. Mumbai benefits from a rich mix of higher education institutions, including IIT Bombay, the University of Mumbai and the Institute of Chemical Technology. Combined with its position as India’s financial capital, the city ranked 34th globally for Employer Activity.

Delhi stands out for offering a rare combination of quality education, affordability and good career opportunities, making it especially attractive for students looking for value without compromising on outcomes.

Bengaluru remains the country’s technology and innovation capital. Its startup ecosystem, research institutions and presence of multinational technology companies continue to attract engineering and technology students. Although it has the highest average international tuition fee among the four cities—around US$5,400 a year—it still ranks among the world’s 30 most affordable student cities.

Chennai has steadily strengthened its position through institutions such as IIT Madras, Anna University and SRM Institute of Science and Technology. The city continues to build on its reputation as one of India’s leading destinations for engineering and technical education.

Together, these four cities show that India’s higher education strengths are spread across finance, technology, research and engineering rather than being concentrated in a single city.

The Next Test for India’s Education Ambitions

Global competition in higher education is increasing between student cities. Students compare entire urban ecosystems. They want excellent universities, but they also expect good public transport, safe streets, research opportunities, multicultural campuses and a lively academic environment. Cities such as Seoul, Tokyo and London consistently rank among the world’s best because they bring all these elements together.

India’s four ranked student cities show that the country has built a strong foundation. The challenge now is to make these cities as attractive to international students as they already are to Indian students. Only then can India move from being one of the world’s largest higher education systems to becoming one of the world’s leading education destinations.

India’s higher education landscape is undergoing significant change. With the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aiming to make the country a global education hub, universities are expanding international partnerships and implementing academic reforms. Even as discussions around governance, funding and academic quality continue, the latest Student City Ranking by QS offers a timely assessment of how India’s leading student cities compare on the global stage.

Among the world’s 150 ranked student cities, Mumbai emerged as India’s highest-ranked city, climbing seven places to 91st globally. Delhi followed at 99th, but distinguished itself by being named the world’s most affordable city for students, reflecting India’s longstanding advantage of relatively low tuition fees and living costs.

The rankings assess cities across six indicators—university performance, employer activity, affordability, student mix, desirability and student views. To qualify, cities must have a population of more than 250,000 and at least two universities featured in the QS World University Rankings.

Student City Ranking: Affordability Remains India’s Strongest Asset

Delhi emerged as the world’s most affordable student city, with average annual international tuition fees of around US$2,700. Mumbai ranked 12th on affordability, while Bangalore and Chennai also featured among the world’s 30 most affordable student cities.

Indian cities also performed well on graduate employability. Delhi ranked 29th and Mumbai 34th globally for Employer Activity, suggesting that employers increasingly value graduates from institutions in these cities.

These findings complement broader improvements in India’s higher education system, which has seen a growing number of universities gain international recognition in recent years. They also align with the country’s efforts to strengthen its global academic presence through institutional reforms and international collaborations.

Global Competitiveness Remains the Main Challenge

While affordability remains a clear advantage, the rankings indicate that cost alone has not translated into greater international appeal. All four Indian cities ranked near the bottom globally on Student Mix, an indicator measuring the size and diversity of international student populations. Mumbai ranked 150th and Delhi 146th, highlighting the limited presence of overseas students on Indian campuses.

The student city rankings suggest that India has established a strong foundation through affordability and improving graduate employability. However, achieving its ambition of becoming a global education destination will likely depend on a broader set of factors, including research excellence, international partnerships, campus diversity, student support and a globally competitive academic environment.