USTM scientists rank among world's top 1,000 scholars in 2026 global index
Synopsis
A 15-year-old private university in Shillong just placed three of its scientists among the world's top 1,000 researchers — with one ranked 15th in India. For Northeast India's academic ecosystem, USTM's 2026 Scholarly Index showing is a signal that the region is no longer just catching up; it's beginning to lead.
Key Takeaways
Three USTM faculty members from Shillong, Meghalaya have been ranked among the world's top 1,000 scholars in the 2026 Scholarly Index Ranking .
Deb achieved World Rank 129 and India Rank 15 for research on indole derivative synthesis.
Yugal Kishore Mohanta secured World Rank 398 and India Rank 45 for nanoparticle research.
Golam Mohiuddin was placed at World Rank 844 and India Rank 89 for liquid crystal research.
USTM, founded in 2011 , received an 'A' grade from NAAC in 2021 and features among the top 200 in the NIRF rankings.
Three faculty members from the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) in Shillong have secured positions among the world's top 1,000 scholars in the 2026 Scholarly Index Ranking, marking a notable milestone for the institution and underscoring the Northeast's growing footprint on the global research map.
The Three Ranked Scientists
Mohit L. Deb emerged as the highest-placed of the trio, achieving a World Rank of 129 and an India Rank of 15. His scholarly work centres on the synthesis of indole derivatives, a field with broad applications in pharmaceutical chemistry. Yugal Kishore Mohanta secured a World Rank of 398 and an India Rank of 45, recognised for his research into the synthesis and applications of nanoparticles — an area of mounting relevance in nanobiotechnology and adjacent disciplines. Golam Mohiuddin was placed at World Rank 844 and India Rank 89 for his contributions to liquid crystal research.
Significance for USTM and the Northeast
According to university officials, the recognition reflects sustained research output across specialised scientific fields and signals the institution's rising international visibility. The achievement carries added weight given USTM's relatively brief institutional history — it was established in 2011 as the first state private university dedicated to science and technology in the Northeast. In its first National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation cycle in 2021, the university received an 'A' grade. USTM has also featured among the top 200 universities in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), according to the institution.
Research Areas in Focus
The three ranked disciplines — indole derivative synthesis, nanoparticle applications, and liquid crystal research — span chemistry, materials science, and nanobiotechnology. Notably, these are fields with significant commercial and industrial downstream potential, suggesting USTM's research priorities align with emerging global technology trends. The university said its emphasis on research, innovation, and academic excellence runs alongside commitments to teaching, community engagement, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
What This Means for Northeast India's Academic Ecosystem
The inclusion of three faculty members from a single Northeast institution in a global top-1,000 list is being viewed as evidence that the region's universities can compete on an international research stage. This comes amid broader efforts by both the Centre and state governments to strengthen higher education infrastructure in India's northeastern states. USTM said the ranking reinforces the potential of institutions in the region to contribute to internationally recognised scientific research and bolsters the Northeast's emerging academic and innovation ecosystem. All eyes will now be on whether this recognition translates into increased research funding and collaborative opportunities for the university.
Point of View
Better-funded institutions in specialised scientific research. The broader question is whether this reflects a structural shift or an outlier driven by a few high-output faculty. Sustaining these rankings will require institutional investment in research infrastructure, doctoral programmes, and industry linkages — areas where most Northeast universities still lag. If USTM can convert this visibility into grants and collaborations, it could become a genuine model for the region.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which USTM scientists ranked in the 2026 Scholarly Index and what are their global ranks?
Three USTM scientists made the global top 1,000: Mohit L. Deb at World Rank 129 (India Rank 15), Yugal Kishore Mohanta at World Rank 398 (India Rank 45), and Golam Mohiuddin at World Rank 844 (India Rank 89). Their fields span indole derivative synthesis, nanoparticle applications, and liquid crystal research respectively.
What is the Scholarly Index Ranking?
The Scholarly Index Ranking is a global benchmarking list that evaluates and ranks academic researchers based on their scholarly output and contributions across scientific disciplines. The 2026 edition places USTM's three faculty members among the world's top 1,000 researchers.
When was USTM established and what are its accreditation credentials?
The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) was established in 2011 as the first state private university focused on science and technology in Northeast India. It received an 'A' grade from NAAC in its first accreditation cycle in 2021 and has featured among the top 200 institutions in the NIRF rankings.
Why is this ranking significant for Northeast India?
It demonstrates that universities in Northeast India can compete on a global research stage, a region historically underrepresented in top academic rankings. USTM's recognition is seen as strengthening the Northeast's emerging academic and innovation ecosystem and may encourage greater research investment in the region.
What research areas are USTM's ranked scientists known for?
Mohit L. Deb researches the synthesis of indole derivatives, Yugal Kishore Mohanta focuses on the synthesis and applications of nanoparticles in nanobiotechnology, and Golam Mohiuddin contributes to liquid crystal research — all specialised fields with growing global scientific and industrial relevance.
