Top IIMs in India: Rankings, Fees, Placements, and Admission Guide

Whether you're preparing for the CAT exam or just looking into the best management education institutes in India, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) probably appear at the top of your list. Since the establishment of the first IIM at Kolkata in 1961, the institutes have emerged as the top public business schools of India churning out business leaders, entrepreneurs and policy makers. Presently there are 21 IIMs across the country, but all are not the same in terms of value of brand, placements and return on investment.
In this guide, we cover the best IIMs in India according to the NIRF 2025 rankings, fee details, placements, and much more before you apply.

What Makes an IIM "Top Ranked"?

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is the most reliable ranking report issued by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, every year, for management institutes. It evaluates institutes on five general parameters: Teaching, Learning and Resources; Research and Professional Practice; Graduation Outcomes; Outreach and Inclusivity; and Perception. The NIRF 2025 rankings were released on 4th September 2025, and IIM, Ahmedabad secured its 6th position in India as the top management institute.

Top 10 IIMs in India (NIRF 2025 Ranking)

Let's look at the leading names in more detail.

1. IIM Ahmedabad

IIM Ahmedabad is the top business school in India for six years in a row in the NIRF rankings. It has been adapted from Harvard Business School and adopted as the gold standard in teaching in the Indian management education system. The institute has an extensive network of alumni that include CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, unicorn founders and policy makers. The competition for admission is high, and generally a CAT percentile of 99+ is needed.

2. IIM Bangalore

IIM Bangalore has been ranked second for the last six years, is known for its competencies in the areas of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy. Being situated in India's tech & startup hub, it offers students unparalleled exposure to consulting, product management and VC opportunities. The institute also has one of the most reputed Doctorate of Philosophy (FPM) program in the country. The PGP programme is of a very high caliber, and consistently draws the best global recruiters.

3. IIM Kozhikode

The NIRF Rankings have seen IIM Kozhikode rise steadily and firmly take its place in the top three. It has established a good reputation in the field of digital transformation, innovation and analytics driven management education. The institute has improved placement rates year-on-year owing to its picturesque campus and increasing ties with the industry. It is increasingly being viewed as a new player in the more established and older ranks of Indian management institutes, the IIMs.

 4. IIM Lucknow

 The NIRF 2025 results have seen IIM Lucknow improve its ranking to the 4th position among the IIMs, which is the highest ranking it has ever received. It is particularly popular for its specialized Agribusiness Management program, one of the rare such courses offered by any of the best B-schools in India. The institute has also an excellent general PGP programme with a good balance of academic and industry interface. It is a dual campus organization (Lucknow and Noida) that provides flexibility for students and recruiters.

5. IIM Mumbai (formerly NITIE)

 The institute was started as National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) and officially became an IIM in 2023. Unlike other IIMs, it has a strong legacy in the domains of Operations Management, Supply Chain and Industrial Engineering. With an academic pedigree and Mumbai being the financial capital, its speedy ascent in the ranks is not surprising. It is a great option for students that need to pursue the career paths that involve operation.

6. IIM Calcutta

 IIM Calcutta is the undisputed leader in finance education among B-schools in India, being one of the first two IIMs (Ahmedabad was the other) established in 1961. The emphasis on finance courses and links to international banks make it a preferred option for students seeking careers in investment banking and finance. The institute also provides great opportunities for international exchange with the foremost universities in the world. It is always in the top 5 most trusted IIM brands list, as per the liking of recruiters.

7. IIM Indore

 IIM Indore is one of the bigger IIMs with a large and active alumni network as the number of students enrolled in the institute is comparatively high to the other IIMs. It's both academically rigorous and industry relevant, especially in marketing and business analytics. The institute also has a second campus in Mumbai for its executive programs. It has been performing steadily and has secured a stable rank among the top IIMs.

8. IIM Raipur

 IIM Raipur is a relatively new IIM (founded in 2010) that has quickly earned a good reputation in the area of placements given its relatively low fees and high ROI. The institute is highly focussed on experiential learning and has established its niche with industry engagement and research applications. It has improved its NIRF ranking and continues to maintain its quality improvement in teaching and the outcomes of its graduates. It's an increasingly popular choice among mid-percentile CAT scorers.

 9. IIM Tiruchirappalli

 IIM Tiruchirappalli is a newer institute, and has made it to the top 10 IIMs, showing rapid development in terms of infrastructure and academic standards. It has established a strong foothold in South India and is also gaining interest among the regional recruiters as well as the national ones. The Institute's emphasis is on the development of well-rounded managers through a combination of core courses and hands-on projects. It's on the rise, so it will be a show-stopper in the years to come.

10. IIM Ranchi

 Founded in 2010, IIM Ranchi has been steadily climbing the ranks and is among the best ranked IIMs in 2025. It's famous for its sense of community and expanding business connections with various companies, particularly in eastern India's industrial and mining regions. Higher emphasis is being given by the institute in the last few years on raising the research output and faculty quality of the institute. It is still a cost effective and high-yield investment for future managers.
Apart from the established big names, newer IIMs such as Raipur, Tiruchirappalli, Ranchi, Rohtak and Udaipur are catching up fast with decent ROI at a reasonably lesser fee.

IIM Fees: What Should You Budget?

 The annual tuition fees for MBA/PGP programs in IIMs vary depending on the institution, ranging from ₹15 lakh to ₹25+ lakh per year for the entire duration of the course (two years). Newer IIMs are generally cheaper, and the older and higher-ranked IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta) are at the higher end. Many IIMs provide education loans, scholarships for students based on need and merit waivers for fees, meaning that the "sticker price" is not necessarily what students will pay themselves.

Read more : Best MBA Colleges in Pune

How to Get Into an IIM: The Admission Process

 The Common Admission Test (CAT), which is held annually in November, is the main way that the IIMs accept students. Here's the typical process:
1. CAT Exam: Computer Based Test That assesses Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning.
2. Shortlisting: Depending on CAT percentile (95 percentile for the top IIMs, and 99 percentile for Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta etc.) and academic profile and work experience.
3. WAT-PI Round: Shortlisted candidates go through a Written Ability Test and Personal Interview. Some of the leading IIMs also include the class X and class XII grades as a part of shortlisting criteria.
4. Final Selection: A composite score combining CAT, academics, WAT-PI, and work experience determines the final offer.

Read More : MBA Colleges in Bangalore/Bengaluru

Final Thoughts

 Tops in the management education space in the country continue to be led by the top IIMs, including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Kozhikode, with their strong faculty, industry relationships, and placement records. However, India's newer IIMs are making a statement that a lower NIRF rank does not imply a lower value degree. No matter which IIM you're aiming at, try to score high percentile in CAT, create a balanced profile and select the program according to your future career aspirations and not only the name of the program.
 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which is the No. 1 IIM in India as per NIRF 2025?

 For 6 years, IIM Ahmedabad has been ranked as the top institute in the management category by the NIRF 2025 Rankings.

2. How many IIMs are there in India?

 By 2025, there will be 21 IIM campuses in India, including some older, established campuses such as Ahmedabad and Calcutta, and newer ones such as Sirmaur and Bodh Gaya.

3. What percentile is required to get into a top IIM?

 Most of the elite IIMs, such as the IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta, will generally shortlist candidates with a CAT percentile of 99+. Other top 10 IIMs will generally look for a CAT percentile of 95+.

4. What is the average fee for an MBA at a top IIM?

 There is no fixed fee for the two year PGP/MBA program at the top IIMs since they can be easily paid through scholarships and loans, the range of fees vary from ₹15 lakh to ₹25+ lakh per year.

5. Which IIM is best for finance or marketing specialization?

 IIM Calcutta has a good finance program, IIM Indore has a good marketing program and IIM Kozhikode has a very good analytics program.

 6. Are newer IIMs like Raipur or Udaipur worth considering?

 Yes. For those considering ROI, newer IIMs have improved consistently in NIRF and placement scores, with placement rates often at lower fees.

Published: 30 Sep, 2026

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