CM Saini Hails MDU Rohtak's 25 Researchers in Stanford Top-2% List
Synopsis
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini celebrated MDU Rohtak's achievement as 25 researchers — 15 faculty members and 10 scholars — secured places on the Stanford-Elsevier World's Top 2% Scientists list, calling it a matter of pride for the entire state.
Key Takeaways
25 researchers from Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak have been named in the Stanford–Elsevier World's Top 2% Scientists list.
The cohort includes 15 faculty members and 10 research scholars , reflecting both senior and emerging scientific talent.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini publicly congratulated all 25 researchers on 9 October 2026 via X.
The Stanford–Elsevier list ranks scientists globally on citation impact, placing them among fewer than 2% of active researchers worldwide.
MDU Rohtak, founded in 1976 , is Haryana's largest affiliating university and a key hub for state-level research activity.
Twenty-five researchers from a single state university in Haryana have cracked the world's most-watched scientific ranking — and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini wants the country to take note. On Friday, 9 October 2026, Saini took to X to celebrate Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, after 15 faculty members and 10 research scholars from the institution earned places on the prestigious Stanford–Elsevier World's Top 2% Scientists list.
What the Stanford–Elsevier list actually measures
The Stanford–Elsevier ranking is one of the most cited benchmarks in global academia. Compiled annually by researchers at Stanford University in partnership with academic publisher Elsevier, it uses citation data — how often a scientist's published work is referenced by peers worldwide — to identify the top 2% of researchers across disciplines. Inclusion signals that a scientist's output is genuinely shaping their field, not merely adding to its volume. For a university in a tier-2 Indian city to place 25 names on that list in a single cycle is a measurable, externally validated achievement.
MDU Rohtak's growing research footprint
Maharshi Dayanand University, established in 1976 in Rohtak, is Haryana's largest affiliating university, covering a wide swathe of the state's colleges and departments. The institution has steadily invested in research infrastructure across science, technology, and interdisciplinary domains. The entry of both senior faculty — the 15 faculty members — and early-career researchers — the 10 research scholars — into the Stanford list suggests the pipeline of scientific talent is deepening, not just holding steady at the top.
CM Saini's congratulations and what they signal
Posting in Hindi, Saini called the feat 'gaurav ka vishay' — 'a matter of pride' — for all of Haryana, and extended warm congratulations and best wishes to every scientist and research scholar named. The Chief Minister's public acknowledgement does more than celebrate: it frames research excellence as a state-level priority, signalling to universities across Haryana that academic output carries political visibility. In a state historically associated with agriculture and industry, placing homegrown scientists on a world stage is a reputational pivot worth amplifying.
For MDU's 25 researchers, the recognition lands them in a global cohort of fewer than 200,000 scientists drawn from millions of active researchers worldwide. The institution, and the state, will be watching whether this cohort grows next year.
Point of View
Sectors traditionally underweighted in Haryana's political narrative. The inclusion of both faculty and early-career scholars in the Stanford list is analytically significant: it suggests an institutional pipeline, not a one-off senior achievement. For a state competing with Delhi-NCR for talent retention, this ranking offers a rare, externally validated data point. Watch whether the state follows the congratulations with tangible research-funding announcements.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Stanford–Elsevier Top 2% Scientists list?
It is an annual ranking compiled by researchers at Stanford University using Elsevier citation data to identify the world's top 2% of scientists across all disciplines based on the impact of their published research.
How many MDU Rohtak researchers made the Stanford Top 2% list in 2026?
A total of 25 researchers from Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak — including 15 faculty members and 10 research scholars — were named in the Stanford–Elsevier World's Top 2% Scientists list.
What did Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini say about the MDU achievement?
CM Saini called the achievement a matter of pride for all of Haryana and extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the scientists and research scholars who made the list.
Where is Maharshi Dayanand University located?
Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) is located in Rohtak, Haryana, India. It was established in 1976 and is the state's largest affiliating university.
Why does inclusion in the Stanford–Elsevier list matter for an Indian university?
The list is based on global citation impact, meaning the researchers' work is being referenced by scientists worldwide. For a state university, it provides rare, externally validated proof of research quality that goes beyond national assessments.
