There are 21 IIMs in India. Among the CAT aspirants, the best IIMs in India are – IIM BLACKI (Bangalore, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Kozhikode, Indore). IIM (IIM Bangalore) and IIMA (IIM Ahmedabad) are ranked among the top B-schools in Asia. IIM Indore and IIMK (IIM Kozhikode) are known for its management programmes. Among the oldest IIMs in India are IIM Calcutta and IIM Lucknow. They are also famous as the largest IIMs in India. The BLACKI IIMs are accredited with AACSB/AMBA and is consistent in maintaining its position as the top B-schools in India. Let’s get into more detail to understand which is the best IIM in India.
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Best IIM in India (as per NIRF Ranking 2024 – Management)
IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Kozhikode are the top 3 best IIMs in India as per NIRF Ranking 2024 in the Management category. Among the top 10 best IIMs in India are BLACKI IIMs. Tabulated below is the complete detail:
| Institutes | NIRF Ranking 2024 | NIRF Score |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 1 | 83.32 |
| IIM Bangalore | 2 | 81.16 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 3 | 77.90 |
| IIM Calcutta | 5 | 75.07 |
| IIM Mumbai | 6 | 74.73 |
| IIM Lucknow | 7 | 74.43 |
| IIM Indore | 8 | 73.53 |
Best IIM in India – IIM BLACKI at a Glance
CAT aspirants before deciding upon which IIM to opt for need to evaluate from multiple factors. Let’s take into consideration some factors that influence the desicion when selecting the IIM for admission for majority of CAT aspirants are tabulated below:
Best IIM in India – Total Fees
| Institutes | Total Fees |
| IIM Bangalore | Rs 26 Lakhs |
| IIM Lucknow | Rs 21 Lakhs |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Rs 26.5 Lakhs |
| IIM Calcutta | Rs 26 Lakhs |
| IIM Kozhikode | Rs 19 Lakhs |
| IIM Indore | Rs 25.5 Lakhs |
Best IIM in India – Average Package
| Institutes | Average Package |
| IIM Bangalore | Rs 35.9 LPA |
| IIM Lucknow | Rs 30 LPA |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Rs 34.4 LPA |
| IIM Calcutta | Rs 35.1 LPA |
| IIM Kozhikode | Rs 28.05 LPA |
| IIM Indore | Rs 25.68 LPA |
Best IIM in India – Batch Size
| Institutes | Total Fees |
| IIM Bangalore | 517 |
| IIM Lucknow | 576 |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 550 |
| IIM Calcutta | 580 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 537 |
| IIM Indore | 594 |
Best IIM in India – CAT Cutoff
| Institutes | CAT General Cutoff |
| IIM Bangalore | ≥80% each, ≥85% overall |
| IIM Lucknow | ≥85% each, ≥90% overall |
| IIM Ahmedabad | ≥70% in each section, ≥80% overall |
| IIM Calcutta | ≥80% VARC/DILR, ≥75% QA, ≥85% overall |
| IIM Kozhikode | ≥85% CAT, ≥75% sections |
| IIM Indore | ≥80% each, ≥90% overall |
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IIM Bangalore (IIMB)
IIM Bangalore is known for its strong academics and research. It is ranked among the top two IIMs in India. It is also known for its Public Policy, Finance and Analytics research centres.
IIM Bangalore Courses – PGP Curriculum & Specializations
The 2-year PGP is a flagship programme consisting 16 first year courses that are compulsory. Candidates can opt for elective subjects in Term 3 and in the second year like Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, Strategy, Supply Chain, etc. The IIMB curriculum includes classes include lectures, case analyses, simulations, team projects, and field immersions. Specializations are pursued via electives. Also, IIMB offers one-year EPGP and a 2-year MBA in Business Analytics.
IIM Bangalore Fees
The IIM Bangalore PGP fees is Rs 26 lakhs.
IIM Bangalore Placements
IIM Bangalore average package was recorded at Rs 35.92 LPA. The median salary package is Rs 32.50 LPA. Among the jobs offered, 47% of offers were made in consulting sector, 16% in finance sector, 9% in IT sector, 5% in FMCG sector. Among the top recruiters at IIM Bangalore placement include McKinsey, BCG, Bain (consulting); Amazon, Google, Microsoft (tech); Citi, Goldman (finance); and FMCG. Around 163 companies visit the campus every year.
IIM Bangalore Admissions
- For PGP 2025-27 admission, candidates need to clear CAT.
- General-category applicants needed ≥80th percentile in each section and ≥85th overall.
- Shortlisting for WAT/PI uses a composite: 55% CAT score, 25% academics (10th/12th/Bachelor), 10% work experience, and 10% diversity/gender.
- Final admission weightage is as follows: PI – 40%, WAT – 10%, CAT – 25%, academics – 15%, work experience – 10%.
IIM Lucknow (IIML)
IIM Lucknow is also one of the best IIM in India. It is the third olders IIM in India. It is known for its strong placement highlights in the finance and consulting sector. IIM L is ranked among the top 5 B-schools in India. I
IIM Lucknow (Noida and Lucknow campuses) is India’s 3rd oldest IIM, known for strong placement in finance/consulting. It is regularly ranked among India’s top 5 B‑schools.
IIM Lucknow Courses – PGP Curriculum & Specializations
IIM Lucknow courses list comprises a flagship MBA (PGP) and specialized MBA (e.g. Agri-Business, SUSTMGT) programmes. The course curriculum is a mix of case studies, simulations, and field projects. Special specializations at IIM Lucknow that can be opted as electives are consulting, finance, data analytics, and sectors like agribusiness or healthcare.
IIM Lucknow Fees
The IIM Bangalore PGP fees is Rs 20-22 lakhs.
IIM Lucknow Placements
IIM Lucknow average package is Rs 30 LPA and the median package is Rs 27 LPA. IIM L highest international package offered was Rs 1.23 CPA. Rs 65 LPA is the IIM Lucknow highest package. Top sector include consulting, analytics, Finance, FMCG/Retail, IT and E-commerce. Top recruiters in IIM L placements are Google, BCG, Morgan Stanley, PepsiCo, etc. Over 600 offers were made to 576 PGP/ABM students.
IIM Lucknow Admissions
- For 2025–27 admission, IIM Lucknow minimum CAT cutoffs (Stage I) include: general-category ≥85%tile in each section and ≥90 overall. Sectional cutoff is the highest at IIM Lucknow compared to other IIMs.
- In Stage II, the composite score for shortlisting is 60% to normalized CAT, 10% each to 12th and graduation marks, 10% to work experience, plus diversity scores (up to 10% for female/non-engineer). IIML uses only 12th and bachelor’s academics, not 10th.
- Candidates then sit WAT/PI (with placement weight on PI). Applicants should have ≥95+ percentile in CAT for higher admission chances.
IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA)
IIMA is ranked 1 as per the NIRF Ranking in the management category. It is one of the best IIM in India and also the most sought after IIM among the CAT aspirants.
IIM Ahmedabad Courses – PGP Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum: IIMA curriculum is usually caste-based along with live classes, simulations and group projects.
Specializations: IIM Ahmedabad specializations include Finance, Strategy, IT Management, Healthcare, Consumer Marketing and over 120 elective subjects. IIMA also offers a one-year full-time MBA (PGPX) for experienced professionals, and a specialized MBA in Agri-Business (FABM).
IIM Ahmedabad Fees
The IIM Ahmedabad PGP fees is Rs 26.50 lakhs.
IIM Ahmedabad Placements
- IIM Ahmedabad average package is recorded at Rs 34.26 LPA.
- The highest package at IIM Ahmedabad is Rs 1.15 CPA.
- The median package is Rs 39.4 LPA.
- Top Sectors: Consulting, Finance, FMCG, Tech, and E-commerce.
- Top Recruiters: Amazon, Capital One, Reliance, Bain
IIM Ahmedabad Admissions
- For admission in IIM Ahmedabad, candidates need to score 70th percentile in each CAT section and 80 overall for the general category.
- Composite Score (CS) include 65% for CAT score and 35% on the Application Rating (AR). AR is derived from 12th and graduation marks, with normalization by stream and work experience. 35% of weight goes to past academics and up to 5 – 10% to work experience.
- For IIMA, focus on scoring 95+ in CAT, have strong academic records and perform well in WAT and PI.
IIM Calcutta (IIMC)
IIM Calcutta is one of India’s oldest IIM and is the second oldest B-school in India. IIMC was India’s first to receive triple accreditation – AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA.
IIM Calcutta PGP Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum: Case-based along with lectures and projects.
Specializations: The top specializations include Economics, Finance, Marketing, Ops, HR. IIMC offers unique specializations through certification courses in Financial Risk Management (FRM), Digital Finance, Product Management, and more.
IIM Calcutta Fees
The IIM Calcutta PGP fees is Rs 26.5 lakhs.
IIM Calcutta Placements
- IIM Calcutta average package is Rs 35.07 LPA.
- The highest international package at IIM Calcutta is Rs 1.15 CPA.
- IIM Calcutta highest package is Rs 60 LPA.
- The median package at IIM Calcutta is Rs 33.7 LPA.
- Top Sectors: Consulting, Investment Banking, General Management, Marketing, IT, Analytics..
- Top Recruiters: McKinsey, BCG, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Reliance, and Amazon.
IIM Calcutta Admission
- For PGP 2025–27 admission, the CAT cutoff is ≥80th percentile in VARC & DILR, ≥75 in QA, and ≥85 overall.
- Shortlisting uses a composite of CAT and academics/gender diversity. At Stage II, weightages were: CAT score (56 points), Class 10 (10), Class 12 (15), and a 4-point bonus for female/transgender.
- For guaranteed admission, aim for 95+ percentile CAT and a good performance in WAT and PI.
Best IIM in India – IIM Kozhikode and IIM Indore
IIM Kozhikode
- Curriculum: Case studies, simulations, lectures and projects.
- Top Specializations: Business Analytics, Machine Learning, and Behavioural Management.
- The IIM Kozhikode fees is Rs 18-20 LPA.
- The IIM Kozhikode average package is Rs 28.05 LPA.
- The median package is Rs 27 LPA.
- The IIM Kozhikode highest package is Rs 72.02 LPA.
- Top Sectors: Consulting, Finance, IT, Analytics, and FMCG.
- Major Recruiters: Accenture, BCG, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, and Google.
IIM Indore
- Curriculum: Case studies, lectures and group projects.
- Top Specializations: Finance and Operations, Advertising/PR, Aviation Management, and Government Affairs.
- The IIM Indore PGP fees is Rs 25.68 LPA.
- The IIM Indore average package is recorded at Rs 25.68 LPA.
- The median package at IIM I is Rs 24.5 LPA.
- The IIM Kozhikode highest package is Rs 1 CPA.
- Top Sectors: Consulting, Finance, IT, Analytics, and General Management.
- Major Recruiters: HDFC Bank, PwC, JSW, ZS.
In order to take admission in the best IIM in India, you need to aim for 99+ percentile in CAT, despite the minimum cutoff provided for each IIMs. The highly competitive nature of CAT exam makes it mandatory for aspirants. Thus, to stream your preparation there are multiple online CAT coaching platforms that have strategically crafter multiple modules to help aspirants bell the CAT at ease. With the help of iQuanta’s guidance, over 500 aspirants scored 99+ percentile in CAT 2024.
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Best IIM In India – IIM Bangalore, IIM Lucknow, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore – FAQs
Among the top 21 IIMs in India, the best IIMs are IIM Bangalore, IIM Lucknow, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore, cumulatively known as IIM BLACKI.
IIM Bangalore fees for PGP is Rs 26 lakhs. The course fees for IIM Lucknow is 21 Lakhs. The IIM Ahmedabad PGP course fees is Rs 26.5 lakhs. The course fees for IIM Calcutta is 26 Lakhs, IIM Kozhikode is 19 Lakhs and IIM Indore is Rs 25.5 Lakhs.
The minimum cutoff of IIM Bangalore is ≥80% in each section, ≥85% overall. For IIM Lucknow, the CAT cutoff is ≥85% for each section, ≥90% overall. The minimum CAT cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad is ≥70% in each section and ≥80% overall. For IIM Calcutta, the cutoff is ≥80% for VARC/DILR, ≥75% for QA, ≥85% overall. IIM Kozhikode cutoff is ≥85% for CAT and ≥75% for each sections. IIM Indore cutoff is ≥80% for each section and ≥90% overall.
The top recruiters for IIM Bangalore is McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Citi, Goldman and FMCG. For IIM Lucknow, the top recruiters are Google, BCG, Morgan Stanley, and PepsiCo. The top recruiters visiting IIM Ahmedabad placements are Amazon, Capital One, Reliance, Bain. McKinsey, BCG, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Reliance, and Amazon are the top recruiters at IIM Calcutta placements. IIM Kozhikode top recruiters include Accenture, BCG, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, and Google. The top recruiters of IIM Indore are HDFC Bank, PwC, JSW and ZS.
