London: Cash-strapped and resource-poor Indian universities have failed to make it to a list of the worlds top 100 institutions under 50 years old, sources said. South Koreas Pohang University of Science and Technology heads a list of the worlds Top 100 young universities for the second consecutive year.

The annual  100 Under 50 rankings, China and Russia lagging behind in terms of newer universities. There are no many  examples of Indias universities under 50 years which are currently meeting  tough global standards.

South Koreas experience shows that it is possible for nations with sufficient political will to build in a relatively short time world-class universities that can compete with the traditional elites in the US and the UK, sources said.

Overall, however, the UK still has the most representatives in the list, with 18 in the top 100 institutions but down from 20 last year. Other strong national systems include Australia (13 institutions), the US (eight), France (seven), Spain (six) and Taiwan (five).