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List of Top 10 IIMs in India 2026
If you are preparing for CAT 2026 or planning for an MBA in future, which colleges might you be looking at? Which IIM should you target if your goal is a strong MBA career in 2026? Every year, over 3 Lakh students apply for the CAT, dreaming of entering the 22 established IIMs. Also, the top IIMs in India include Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore; average packages look admirable with global-level infrastructure and industrial connections.
However, your CAT percentile is the first step towards IIM admissions, but fees, placements, location, and specialisations also matter. Therefore, checking each IIM beyond its rank can help you make a practical choice.
Top 10 IIMs in India 2026
Among the 22 IIMs, there are old, new and baby IIMs. Yet it's quite common for old IIMs to rank in the top 10 because of their industrial connections from decades ago. But that doesn’t mean newer IIMs are any less.
| IIM | Why Consider It? |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Strong brand, consulting, finance, and alums network |
| IIM Bangalore | Technology, consulting, entrepreneurship, and leadership |
| IIM Calcutta | Finance, consulting, analytics, and strong alum base |
| IIM Lucknow | Consulting, finance, marketing, and operations |
| IIM Kozhikode | Strong placements, academics, and diverse peer group |
| IIM Indore | General management, finance, consulting, and academics |
| IIM Shillong | Strong placements, niche sustainability focus, and a scenic, culturally rich campus experience. |
| IIM Mumbai | Operations, supply chain, analytics, and consulting |
| IIM Udaipur | Digital Enterprise Management (DEM), Operations, Global Supply Chain Management , Public Policy, CSR |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | Finance, marketing, operations, and growing placements |
The first seven institutes form the strongest group according to the supplied NIRF 2025 data. IIM Raipur, IIM Trichy, and IIM Ranchi also deserve attention while building your preference list.
Also Read: IIM Ranking List 2026: Fees, Placements ROI and Specializations
IIMs NIRF Ranking 2025
NIRF 2025 states that the management institutes are ranked using factors covering teaching, research, graduation outcomes, inclusivity, and perception. The official 2025 list places IIM Ahmedabad first, followed by IIM Bangalore and IIM Kozhikode. The latest NIRF Ranking for 2026 are yet to be released.
| NIRF Rank | IIM | State | Score |
| 1 | IIM Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 83.29 |
| 2 | IIM Bangalore | Karnataka | 81.56 |
| 3 | IIM Kozhikode | Kerala | 79.85 |
| 5 | IIM Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | 77.97 |
| 6 | IIM Mumbai | Maharashtra | 77.58 |
| 7 | IIM Calcutta | West Bengal | 77.34 |
| 8 | IIM Indore | Madhya Pradesh | 75.68 |
| 15 | IIM Raipur | Chhattisgarh | 65.03 |
| 16 | IIM Tiruchirappalli | Tamil Nadu | 64.95 |
| 18 | IIM Ranchi | Jharkhand | 62.77 |
| 19 | IIM Rohtak | Haryana | 62.60 |
| 21 | IIM Udaipur | Rajasthan | 61.79 |
| 23 | IIM Kashipur | Uttarakhand | 61.74 |
| 25 | IIM Nagpur | Maharashtra | 60.88 |
| 29 | IIM Visakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh | 59.95 |
| 31 | IIM Bodh Gaya | Bihar | 59.65 |
| 34 | IIM Sambalpur | Odisha | 58.59 |
| 35 | IIM Jammu | Jammu and Kashmir | 58.50 |
| 38 | IIM Shillong | Meghalaya | 57.70 |
| 51 | IIM Sirmaur | Himachal Pradesh | 54.03 |
| 64 | IIM Amritsar | Punjab | 51.70 |
Note: IIM Guwahati established in 2026 and hence is not included in the IIMs NIRF Ranking 2025.
Use these rankings alongside placements, fees, programme structure, and your career goals.
Which IIM Is Best for MBA in 2026?
The terms old IIMs, new IIMs, and baby IIMs help you understand institutional maturity. These categories are not official NIRF ranking groups, but they provide useful admission context.
IIM Category | Institutes | General Position | Key Advantages |
Old IIMs | Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore | Established before the major IIM expansion | Strong alumni, brand value, recruiter relationships, mature programmes |
New IIMs | Shillong, Udaipur, Trichy, Raipur, Ranchi, Kashipur, Rohtak | Established after 2008 | Modern campuses, improving placements, expanding corporate networks |
Baby IIMs | Jammu, Bodh Gaya, Nagpur, Sambalpur, Sirmaur, Visakhapatnam, Amritsar | Established during the later expansion | Growing ecosystem, developing alum base, future growth potential |
An IIM category should not be your only selection factor when comparing admission offers. The factors are mainly,
- Placement outcomes,
- Tuition fees,
- Programme quality, and
- Career goals deserve equal attention.
Top IIMs in India: Fees and Placements 2026
Fees and placements can change your final decision even after receiving a high-ranked IIM offer. A lower fee does not automatically mean lower career value, while a higher package does not guarantee higher savings.
The following figures use the supplied information and should be checked against official admission documents. Placement figures can also vary by batch and reporting methodology.
IIM | Approx. MBA Fees | Highest Package | Average Package |
IIM Ahmedabad | ₹27.50 Lakh | ₹2.20 Cr | ₹34.45 LPA |
IIM Bangalore | ₹26.50 Lakh | — | ₹35.35 LPA |
IIM Calcutta | ₹27.00 Lakh | ₹1.45 Cr | ₹36.00 LPA |
IIM Lucknow | ₹20.75 Lakh | ₹1.00 Cr | ₹33.20 LPA |
IIM Kozhikode | ₹23.50 Lakh | ₹81 LPA | ₹28.18 LPA |
IIM Indore | ₹25.15 Lakh | ₹70 LPA | ₹29.57 LPA |
IIM Mumbai | ₹25.00 Lakh | ₹71.40 LPA | ₹34.50 LPA* |
IIM Shillong | ₹26.18 Lakh | ₹71.50 LPA | ₹26.44 LPA |
IIM Trichy | ₹21.00 Lakh | ₹44.98 LPA | ₹19.27 LPA |
IIM Raipur | ₹20.00 Lakh | ₹42.66 LPA | ₹20.70 LPA |
IIM Kashipur | ₹17.30 Lakh | ₹33.12 LPA | ₹14.95 LPA |
IIM Ranchi | ₹19.20 Lakh | ₹50.39 LPA | ₹19.29 LPA |
IIM Rohtak | ₹17.90 Lakh | ₹36.00 LPA | ₹18.73 LPA |
IIM Nagpur | ₹21.00 Lakh | ₹69.57 LPA | ₹18.07 LPA |
*IIM Mumbai's average package refers to the batch’s top 50% placement figure.
CAT Cutoff for Top IIMs
The CAT cutoff has two layers: the qualifying cutoff and the final-call percentile.
- A qualifying cutoff only makes you eligible for further consideration.
- The actual percentile needed for a competitive interview call can be considerably higher.
IIM | Safe CAT Percentile | What Your Profile Should Support |
IIM Ahmedabad | 99–99.8+ | Strong CAT score with balanced academics |
IIM Bangalore | 99–99.8+ | High percentile with strong overall profile |
IIM Calcutta | 99–99.8+ | Excellent CAT performance and academic consistency |
IIM Lucknow | 99–99.7+ | High percentile with competitive academics |
IIM Kozhikode | 99–99.7+ | Strong percentile and balanced profile |
IIM Indore | 98–99.5+ | High percentile with good academic record |
IIM Mumbai | 98–99.5+ | Strong CAT score with relevant profile strengths |
IIM Shillong | 98.5–99.5+ | High percentile with competitive overall profile |
IIM Tiruchirappalli | 95–98+ | Good percentile and suitable academic profile |
IIM Raipur | 94–97+ | Competitive percentile with overall profile strength |
IIM Ranchi | 95–98+ | Good percentile and consistent academics |
IIM Rohtak | 97–99+ | High percentile with suitable eligibility profile |
IIM Nagpur | 95–98+ | Competitive CAT performance and academic profile |
The cut-offs might look like a dream for CAT 2026 aspirants, but to get packages in lakhs, preparation becomes mandatory. Without effort, there is no outcome.
Also Read: Minimum Percentile Required for IIM Admission 2026, RTI Data
How to Choose the Best IIM in 2026?
Choosing the best IIM in 2026 requires more than checking the highest ranking. Your decision should connect the institute's strengths with your career plans and financial comfort.
Factor | What You Should Check | Why It Matters |
CAT Cutoff | Required and competitive percentile | Helps create realistic application targets |
Total programme cost and additional expenses | Shows the financial commitment | |
Placements | Average, median, highest package, recruiters | Indicates career opportunities |
Finance, consulting, marketing, analytics, operations | Matches your intended career | |
City, industry access, living costs | Affects exposure and expenses | |
Alumni Network | Alum strength across industries | Supports networking and career movement |
Total intake and competition | Influences classroom interaction | |
Curriculum | Electives, projects, exchange opportunities | Shapes your learning experience |
Fees compared with realistic salary outcomes | Helps assess financial value | |
Campus Life | Infrastructure, clubs, committees, activities | Adds value beyond classroom learning |
If your priority is brand value, IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta remain strong choices. If finance attracts you, IIM Calcutta deserves particular attention alongside Ahmedabad and Bangalore.
For operations and supply chain careers, IIM Mumbai can offer a highly relevant learning environment. If you want balanced career options, IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore deserve close comparison.
List of Top 10 IIMs in India 2026: Conclusion
The top IIMs in India 2026 offer different advantages depending on your career goals. IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta remain highly attractive for brand value and placements, while IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore and Mumbai provide strong opportunities across Consulting, Finance, Marketing, Business Analytics and Operations. However, rankings alone should not decide your MBA preference list. Compare CAT cutoffs, fees, average packages, specializations, ROI and career opportunities before selecting an institute. Ultimately, the best IIM is the one that aligns your CAT performance, financial plans and long-term career goals.
