IIM Colleges in India are the most prestigious management institutions in the country, offering world-class education, robust industry exposure, and exceptional placement opportunities. In 2025, legacy IIMs such as Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta continue to dominate with average packages around ₹32–35 lakh and top packages exceeding ₹1 crore. Newer and baby IIMs, while building their brand, provide strong ROI with fees ranging from ₹10–18 lakh and average packages between ₹12–20 lakh. This guide explores every IIM in India, covering rankings, fees, placement trends, specialization strengths, admission processes, and career opportunities to help aspirants make informed decisions.
India’s MBA landscape has grown tremendously over the past two decades. While private business schools have emerged, IIM Colleges in India remain the benchmark for high-quality management education. Established with the vision of nurturing future business leaders, these institutes combine rigorous academics, practical learning, and exposure to global business practices.
MBA aspirants across India consider IIMs as their top choice because of the unparalleled career opportunities, strong alumni networks, and excellent placement records. Each IIM, whether an old, new, or baby IIM, offers unique advantages in terms of specialization, pedagogy, and industry interaction.
Several factors make IIMs the most preferred MBA institutes in India:
Rigorous Academic Curriculum: The case-study method, combined with simulations, live projects, and experiential learning, ensures students develop analytical and leadership skills.
Expert Faculty: Faculty members are experienced academicians and industry practitioners with exposure to global business practices.
Strong Alumni Network: Graduates of IIMs occupy top leadership positions worldwide, offering mentorship and networking opportunities for students.
Exceptional Placements: Consistent demand from multinational corporations ensures high placement rates with lucrative packages.
Global Exposure: Exchange programs and international projects enhance students’ global business understanding.
Corporate Connect: Guest lectures, internships, and live projects facilitate hands-on learning and industry exposure.
IIMs can be classified into three categories based on establishment, reputation, and placement strength:
Old IIMs have a strong brand reputation and excellent placement records. They include:
IIM Ahmedabad: Established in 1961, it is India’s premier management institute. It is renowned for consulting, finance, and strategy programs. Average packages in 2025 are around ₹34 lakh, with top offers exceeding ₹1 crore. The rigorous curriculum, case-study methodology, and global collaborations make it highly competitive.
IIM Bangalore: Founded in 1973, it is known for analytics, strategy, and technology-driven management programs. Average packages are ₹33–34 lakh with top offers of ₹1.1 crore. The campus emphasizes entrepreneurship and innovation.
IIM Calcutta: The first IIM in India, established in 1961, is highly reputed for finance, investment banking, and analytics. Average salary packages are around ₹33 lakh with top offers exceeding ₹1 crore.
IIM Lucknow: Established in 1984, it offers a balanced MBA program with a focus on consulting, operations, and marketing. Average packages are ₹32 lakh, with top packages around ₹70–80 lakh.
IIM Kozhikode: Known for operations, analytics, and IT management, Kozhikode offers average packages of ₹28–30 lakh. The campus emphasizes innovation and entrepreneurship.
IIM Indore: Offers a strong academic program with a focus on leadership and strategy. Average packages are around ₹28 lakh, with top packages up to ₹70 lakh.
Legacy IIMs attract students with high CAT percentiles (typically 95+) and offer international placements, making them the first choice for aspirants aiming for top corporate roles globally.
These IIMs were established between 2007–2018 and are quickly gaining recognition. They provide good placement packages and strong ROI for students:
IIM Shillong: Average packages of ₹20–26 lakh. Strong in marketing, operations, and analytics.
IIM Udaipur: Offers programs in finance, marketing, and strategy. Average packages around ₹18–21 lakh.
IIM Raipur: Focuses on analytics, operations, and consulting. Average packages of ₹16–20 lakh.
IIM Ranchi: Known for technology and operations management. Packages range from ₹15–20 lakh.
IIM Kashipur: Emerging institute with focus on leadership and management roles. Packages ₹14–18 lakh.
IIM Tiruchirappalli, IIM Nagpur, IIM Visakhapatnam: Offer MBA programs with average packages of ₹12–18 lakh, emphasizing mid-tier corporate opportunities and analytics-driven roles.
New generation IIMs have a growing industry connect, providing students with leadership opportunities, internships, and placement options that are improving each year.
These recently established IIMs (2015 onwards) focus on expanding quality MBA education across India:
IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Amritsar, IIM Jammu, IIM Rohtak: Fees are relatively low (₹10–16 lakh), average packages range from ₹12–17 lakh.
These institutes offer programs designed for mid-tier roles and sectors such as marketing, operations, HR, and analytics.
The ROI for students is strong, considering the lower investment and improving placement trends.
Placements continue to reflect strong demand for management professionals:
Legacy IIMs: Average packages ₹32–35 lakh, top offers exceeding ₹1 crore. Key sectors include consulting, finance, analytics, and technology.
New Generation IIMs: Average packages ₹15–25 lakh. Sectors include marketing, HR, operations, and analytics.
Baby IIMs: Average packages ₹12–17 lakh. Sectors include mid-tier marketing, operations, and analytics roles.
Consulting: Top legacy IIMs dominate with global consulting offers.
Finance & Banking: Legacy IIMs are preferred for investment banking and private equity roles.
Marketing & Sales: Newer IIMs see strong placements in FMCG, retail, and e-commerce sectors.
Operations & Analytics: Mid-tier and baby IIMs are emerging strongly in data analytics and operational management.
Human Resources: Specialized programs in HR are available in mid-tier IIMs, offering leadership roles.
Finance: IIM Calcutta, Ahmedabad, Bangalore
Consulting & Strategy: IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Lucknow
Marketing: IIM Udaipur, Indore, Kozhikode
Operations & Analytics: Kozhikode, Indore, Raipur, Ranchi
HR & Leadership: Baby and mid-tier IIMs
Choosing an IIM should align with your career goals and specialization preferences.
Step-by-step process:
Entrance Exam: CAT is mandatory, with percentile requirements depending on IIM tier.
Shortlisting: Based on CAT score, academics, and work experience.
Selection Rounds: WAT, GD, and PI.
Final Selection: Composite score considering CAT, academics, work experience, and interview performance.
Legacy IIMs require 95+ percentile. Newer IIMs require 85–95, and baby IIMs accept 80–90 percentiles.
Preparation Tips:
Strong quantitative and verbal skills for CAT.
Research on current affairs and business trends.
Mock interviews and case studies practice.
Leadership and teamwork experiences.
Legacy IIMs: Fees ₹25–29 lakh, average packages ₹32–35 lakh. ROI is high due to strong placements and global opportunities.
New IIMs: Fees ₹14–19 lakh, average packages ₹15–25 lakh. Good ROI for mid-tier sectors.
Baby IIMs: Fees ₹10–16 lakh, average packages ₹12–17 lakh. ROI improves due to lower investment and emerging corporate tie-ups.
Consulting & Strategy: Top roles offered by legacy IIMs in McKinsey, BCG, Bain-type roles.
Finance: Investment banks, private equity, fintech firms.
Product & Technology: Tech giants recruit for product management, analytics, and data science roles.
Marketing & Sales: FMCG, retail, and e-commerce companies.
HR & Operations: Emerging leadership roles in mid-tier and baby IIMs.
Alumni occupy leadership roles worldwide, offering mentorship and networking advantages to new graduates.
What is the average salary at IIMs in 2025?
Legacy IIMs: ₹32–35 lakh; New IIMs: ₹15–25 lakh; Baby IIMs: ₹12–17 lakh.
Which IIM is best for finance?
IIM Calcutta, Ahmedabad, and Bangalore.
Are baby IIMs worth considering?
Yes, due to affordable fees and improving placements.
What CAT percentile is needed for top IIMs?
Legacy IIMs require 95+, newer IIMs 85–95, baby IIMs 80–90.
Do IIMs offer international placements?
Legacy IIMs do, with packages exceeding ₹70 lakh to ₹1 crore.
IIM Colleges in India remain the gold standard for MBA education in 2025. Legacy IIMs offer unmatched placements, brand recognition, and global career opportunities, while new and baby IIMs provide affordable, high-quality education with strong ROI. Understanding fees, placements, specializations, and career goals is essential to select the right IIM for your MBA journey. Regardless of choice, an IIM degree significantly enhances career prospects and leadership potential in India and globally.
