‘Is an MBA from a Baby IIM really worth it?’ is an important question which sparks debates and discussions on platforms like reddit, quora, etc. Before answering the question, it is essential to understand ‘what are Baby IIMs’ and how they are different from IIM ABC or other IIMs. These IIMs are relatively new. They are often categorized as ‘third-generation IIMs’ established during the 2010s. Based on popular opinion, baby IIMs are considered worth the investment for freshers having little to no prior work experience.
This blog is prepared to summarize the key highlights of each IIM falling in the baby IIM category and uses only the official facts or verifiable information. Students preparing to take admission into the newer IIMs may consider the insights presented in this blog to make a better decision through careful analysis and thorough study of key factors. These factors include eligibility criteria, admission process, fee, scholarships, placement highlights and so on.Â
Join iQuanta’s diversified student community for free and prepare with other 4.1L+ peers. Get access to 24*7 doubt-solving, mentorship, free webinars, etc all at one single platform.
Are Baby IIMs Tier 3 Institutions?
No, baby IIMs are not tier 3 institutions like private tier 3 colleges. Instead, baby IIMs are third generation IIMs which have proved to be a better choice for Indian students compared to private tier-3 MBA colleges. Baby IIMs offer decent placements under the brand name of IIMs. Tier-3 colleges are Amity Business School, Jaipuria Institute of Management, ITM Business School and so on.
While IIMs still maintain a brand image, tier-3 colleges offer lower brand value compared to IIM. In terms of admission requirements, the cutoffs for baby IIMs are generally higher around 80-90+ compared to the 60-70 percentile cutoff range which is accepted for tier-3 colleges. Not only are IIMs a brand, even if they are baby IIMs, but the quality of education and peer groups is typically better at baby IIMs compared to private B-schools under tier-3 category.
List of Baby IIMs in India
Best baby IIMs in India are the newer generation IIMs which are an excellent choice for students with slightly lower CAT scores (80-90 percentile range) and a target to gain a brand name on their graduation degree. Before taking a decision on the matter of pursuing an MBA from a baby IIM, it is important to know the list of baby IIMs in India. Each IIM is a unique institution offering different opportunities and exposure to MBA candidates. Below are the names of all 9 IIMs which fall under the baby IIMs category.
- Indian Institute of Management Amritsar (IIM Amritsar)
- Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya (IIM Bodh Gaya)
- Indian Institute of Management Jammu (IIM Jammu)
- Indian Institute of Management Nagpur (IIM Nagpur)
- Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur
- Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur
- Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam
- Indian Institute of Management Kashipur
- Indian Institute of Management Trichy
How to Choose the Right Baby IIM?
The right IIM which you must choose for your MBA degree must have a strong alumni base, good industry recruitment partnerships, placement assistance and a credibility which lasts for lifelong. IIMs including newer ones are ideal for freshers or students having limited work experience. These IIMs are an important part of the larger IIM ecosystem. Newer generation IIMs must be chosen based on a thorough evaluation of different factors such as fees, placements, admission cutoffs, and personal career objectives.
IIM Amritsar
Mostly, IIM Amritsar falls under the newer generation or ‘baby’ IIMs category. The below mentioned statistics have been extracted from the official website of IIM Amritsar. College data given below shows the growing alumni base, number of students admitted to the college, and other details of the college. Those seeking answers on ‘Is an MBA from a baby IIM really worth it’ must evaluate the college highlights given below.
| Summarizing IIM Amritsar’s Growing Popularity Over the Years | |
| Particulars | Growth Statistics |
| Students at IIM Amritsar | 700+ |
| Alumni Base | 1300+ |
| Executive Program Hours | 3000+ |
| Recruiters and Corporate Stakeholders | 800+ |
IIM Body Gaya
The total number of recruiters and the overall placements report of IIM Bodh Gaya presents a promising career for prospective MBA candidates. Placement rate is 100%, even the summer placements have a 100% rate. This means that IIM Bodh Gaya will provide its students a chance to secure high paying jobs right after completing their education. Based on such placement results, you may choose IIM Bodh Gaya MBA over other options.
| IIM Bodh Gaya Growth Reflected in Research and Publications | |
| Placements and Publications | Figures |
| Placement Rate | 100% |
| Summer Placement Rate | 100% |
| Publications | 450 |
| Largest Intake for MBA Courses | 462 students |
| Recruiter Participation | 190+ |
IIM Jammu
IIM Jammu’s official placement records have been published on its website and shows an increase in the average salary provided to students in 2025. Both median and average salaries have increased in 2025 placements indicating a positive placement trend at IIM Jammu. This serves as the basis for selecting a newer IIM like IIM Jammu.
| IIM Jammu Notable Achievements in Academics | |
| Key Highlights | Statistics |
| Global Partners | 24+ Institutions across the world |
| International Accreditations | 2 (BGA and EFMD) |
| International University Partners | 12+ |
| Women Percentage in 2025 Batch | More than 35% |
| Increase In Average Salary in 2025 | 38% |
| Increase In Median Salary in 2025 | 17.6% |
IIM Nagpur
The placement highlights at IIM Nagpur paint a bright picture. 100% of the students in the previous batch were placed on a high payroll. This IIM also offers Global programmes with international exposure in countries like Japan, France, UAE, etc. CTCs and batch sizes have increased during the last year highlighting preference for IIM Nagpur among MBA aspirants.
| Reasons to Join IIM Nagpur | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Global Immersion Programmes | Japan, France, South Korea, Singapore, and UAE (Dubai) |
| Median Salary Growth | 20% from 2024-25 |
| Batch Size Growth | 35.88% from 2024-25 |
| New Recruiters Growth | 20.99% from 2024-25 |
| Top Recruiters | Aditya Birla Capital, Tata Capital, and Tech Mahindra |
IIM Sambalpur
IIM Sambalpur’s top quartile has received a high salary during the last placement cycle. Freshers with diverse academic backgrounds study at IIM Sambalpur. The number of recruiters visiting IIM Sambalpur crossed 200 in 2025. Major sectors in which the students were offered high salary packages at IIM Sambalput include BFSI, NBFC, IT and so on. Check the yearly increase in IIM Sambalpur’s placement numbers in terms of salaries, recruiters and so on.
| Key Facts and Figures of iIM Sambalpur | |
| Facts | Figures |
| Hostel Buildings | 11 (4 for girls and 5 for boys) |
| Increase in the Number of Recruiters Visiting | 32.51% in 2025 |
| Growth in Highest Salary Percentage | 106.81% in 2025 |
| Increase in Average Salary (2025) | 17.58% |
| Increase in Median Salary (2025) | 14.27% |
IIM Sirmaur
IIM Sirmaur publishes its placement reports in an official format on its main website. Students can go through the details mentioned in the table below to receive an overview of the outcome of selecting IIM Sirmaur for their MBA studies. So far, 8 batches have graduated from this newer IIM with the 2025 batch having 80% freshers.
| IIM Sirmaur Key Highlights So Far | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Number of Batches Graduated So Far | 8 |
| International Partnerships | Sainte Marie De Chavagnes, Cannes, France, University of Bordeaux, University of Paris and International Tourism Studies Association |
| 2025 Batch Freshers | 80% |
| Average CTC 2025 (Male & Female) | Female – ₹12.40 LPA Male – ₹13.70 LPA |
| Median Annual CTC Growth (CAGR) | 91% |
IIM Vishakhapatnam
Below are a few achievements of IIM Vizag or IIM Vishakhapatnam which are important characteristics distinguishing the college from others. The college has helped 600+ students receive a successful IIM branded degree. It also has more than 50 faculty and delivers 500+ courses in the management domain.
| IIM Vishakhapatnam’s Achievements Over the Years | |
| Key Highlights | Statistics |
| Experienced Faculty | 50+ |
| Programs Delivered | 500+ |
| Students Nurtured | 600+ |
| Learning Hours | 15,453+ |
IIM Kashipur
IIM Kashipur has a high gender diversity ratio with 37% of the 2025 batch accounting for female students. Its flagship courses are preferred by candidates across India and include MBA and MBA Analytics. More than 190 recruiters participated in the IIM Kashipur campus placements in 2025.
- The college has a strong recruiter pull.
- Placements are good with the overall ROI being positive.
- Among the baby IIMs group, IIM Kashipur is a relatively older IIM with more alumni and provides stable, clear placement reports.
IIM Trichy
A recent image has been framed around IIM Trichy indicating a difficulty getting placed. The Times of India has reported that 1 in every 7 IIM Trichy graduates fails to get placed. The news was published during June, 2025. It has also been mentioned that this is not true for the whole batch, as 27% of the 2025 batch received placement packages crossing ₹20 Lakh. Here are some important pointers about IIM Trichy and course outcome.
- About 59 students from the 2023-2025 batch were not placed owing to external factors.
- Despite a falling job rate in the 2025 market as reported by IIM Trichy officials, the highest CTC has only increased over the years.
- Officials at IIM Trichy state that the value of the IIM tag is not the most important factor deciding placements, rather the job market is demanding specialized skills like HR, Analytics, Sustainable-marketing, Robotics, etc.
Baby IIMs Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Before you decide whether a newer generation IIM is worth your investment or not, it is important that you check the minimum requirements at the IIMs including the admission and selection criteria. CAT cutoffs are the primary factor deciding your entry into these third generation IIMs. Apart from your CAT percentile, it is important to have a decent academic and personal profile. Having work experience is optional since mostly freshers prefer to join baby IIMs.
Common Eligibility Criteria Across All Baby IIMs
IIMs require students to clear institute-wise CAT cutoffs. The CAT cutoff serves as the official eligibility criteria for admission into these new generation management schools. To be shortlisted, you have to clear the minimum cutoffs or marks and fill out the college application form online. JAP or CAP are two counselling procedures for admission into these IIMs. Admission is also done directly based on a candidate’s score in CAT and their academic profile.
Minimum CGPA Required for Baby IIMs Admission
CAT scores are mandatory followed by a minimum marks criteria in your bachelor’s or last qualifying exam. Check the table below to know the category-wise minimum academic eligibility criteria for all newer IIMs which is mostly common.
| Minimum Last Qualifying Percentile Required for Baby IIMs Admission | |
| Category | Minimum Marks |
| General | 50% marks in Bachelor’s Degree |
| EWS | |
| NC-OBC | |
| SC | 45% marks in last qualifying exam |
| ST | |
| PwD | |
Final-Year Students May Apply to Baby IIMs
If you still have to appear for your final examination of your bachelor’s degree or similar course, you are eligible to apply for CAT and likewise IIMs. Based on the CAT score and overall profile, final year students if selected for a baby IIM will be offered admission provisionally. To increase your chances of admission into top IIMs including newly established ones, you must keep a close track of the last date to register for CAT 2026, and other important details. If you belong to the reserved categories, you may avail reservation benefits.
Why MBA from Baby IIM?
Baby IIMs or new generation IIMs like IIM Trichy, IIM Ranchi or IIM Amritsar are best for freshers who want to attain an IIM degree and land a secure well-paying job. Although having a job after completion of your degree depends on external factors like the market scenario, skills in demand, recruiters presence and so on, it is still important to choose a decent MBA college which gives you a good start at the beginning of your management career.
Here are some interesting details on baby IIMs which will help you decide whether it is worth it to join one or not.
- Mostly the batches of baby IIMs comprise freshers. This data reveals that freshers find baby IIMs worth it for their management studies compared to experienced individuals.
- Newer generation IIMs hold the IIM brand tag and offer strong placement opportunities to graduates.
- These IIMs are growing every year with numbers indicating increase in the batch size and a good gender diversity ratio.
- In the placement scenario, baby IIMs have reported an increase in highest CTCs, median salary packages as well as average CTCs over the last few years.
- Choosing baby IIMs is a good decision because these institutions offer better peer groups, exposure and a structured career boost compared to private MBA colleges/local institutions offering management studies in India.
