Baby IIMs In India 2026: List, Course, Fees, Cutoff, Ranking & Admission

Baby IIMs are IIM campuses that were set up between 2011 and 2016. Since they are the newest among all IIMs, they are called Baby IIMs. Each Baby IIM is mentored by one of the top six older IIMs. The course syllabus and teaching style are very similar to older IIMs. IIMs in India are divided into three groups based on when they were established. Old or Main IIMs known as BLACKI M were established before 1996. New IIMs were established between 1996 and 2010. Baby IIMs were established between 2011 and 2016.

How Many Baby IIMs Are There in India?

There are 9 Baby IIMs in India.

Note: IIM Jammu was established in 2016 but is grouped under Baby IIMs as it is part of the same third-generation IIM expansion.

Also Read: New IIM Rankings 2026

Baby IIMs Ranking 2025 (NIRF)

NIRF rankings are released every year by the Ministry of Education. Baby IIMs have been consistently ranked among the top 100 MBA colleges in India. IIM Visakhapatnam holds the best NIRF rank among all Baby IIMs.

Also Read: IIM Colleges In India

Baby IIMs Fees 2026

MBA fees at Baby IIMs range from ₹17 lakh to ₹21 lakh for the full two-year programme. Fees are paid semester-wise in instalments, which makes it manageable for most students. IIM Kashipur has the lowest fees among all Baby IIMs, while IIM Sambalpur has the highest.

Also Read: BLACKI IIM Colleges list

Baby IIMs Cutoff 2025

The qualifying CAT cutoff for Baby IIMs ranges between 82 and 94 percentile for General category students. Final cutoffs after the interview round can go higher up to 95–97 percentile depending on the institute and batch. IIM Visakhapatnam has the lowest qualifying cutoff among all Baby IIMs at 82 percentile, making it a preferred target for students in the 82–88 percentile range.

Overall Qualifying Cutoff — General Category

Category-wise Cutoff

Baby IIMs Average Package — Placements 2025

Campus placements at all Baby IIMs are conducted every year. Top domestic and international companies visit these campuses to hire MBA graduates across functions like finance, marketing, operations, and consulting. IIM Trichy leads with the highest average CTC of ₹19.43 LPA, followed closely by IIM Kashipur at ₹18.10 LPA.

Baby IIMs Courses Offered

Baby IIMs offer full-time MBA, Executive MBA, and PhD programmes. Some also offer integrated programmes like IPM and BTech+MBA. Here is a quick overview of key programmes at each Baby IIM.

Baby IIMs Admission Process 2026

Admission to Baby IIMs follows a clear three-step process. Every candidate must appear for CAT 2026 as it is the only accepted entrance exam for all IIM MBA programmes.

• In the first step, candidates are shortlisted for the interview round based on their CAT score, academic record, work experience, and diversity factors.

• In the second step, shortlisted candidates appear for Written Ability Test and Personal Interview. Some Baby IIMs conduct this round through a common process. IIM Kashipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, and IIM Trichy conduct a Joint Admission Process known as JAP. IIM Bodhgaya, IIM Jammu, and IIM Sirmaur conduct a Common Admission Process known as CAP.

• In the third and final step, a merit list is prepared based on a composite score that includes CAT score, interview performance, academics, and work experience.

Baby IIMs vs New IIMs vs Old IIMs

Best Baby IIM for Students

Choosing the right Baby IIM depends on your CAT percentile, budget, and career goals. Here are some quick recommendations based on different student profiles.

• Best for Placements — IIM Trichy, IIM Kashipur
• Best NIRF Rank — IIM Visakhapatnam (Rank 29)
• Lowest Fees — IIM Kashipur (₹17.30 L)
• Lowest Cutoff — IIM Visakhapatnam (82 percentile)
• Best for Analytics MBA — IIM Kashipur, IIM Amritsar
• Best for Healthcare MBA — IIM Jammu, IIM Bodhgaya
• Best for Integrated Programme — IIM Jammu, IIM Bodhgaya
• Best ROI on Fees vs Package — IIM Trichy, IIM Kashipur

Who Should Target Baby IIMs?

CAT Aspirant Scoring 88–93 Percentile Baby IIMs like IIM Amritsar, IIM Jammu, and IIM Visakhapatnam are realistic targets. These colleges offer a recognised IIM degree with strong campus placements at fees below ₹20 lakh.

Working Professional Seeking an Executive MBA IIM Sambalpur, IIM Trichy, and IIM Kashipur offer Executive MBA programmes designed for professionals with work experience. These programmes allow candidates to upgrade their management skills without leaving their jobs.

Student Interested in a Niche MBA If you want a specialised MBA in areas like Tourism, Healthcare, Analytics, Family Business, or Digital Business, Baby IIMs offer unique programmes that older IIMs typically do not.

Budget-Conscious Aspirant For students looking for an IIM education under ₹18 lakh in total fees, IIM Kashipur, IIM Sirmaur, and IIM Visakhapatnam are the most affordable options with decent placement records.

Conclusion

Baby IIMs, established between 2011 and 2015, are a strong option for CAT aspirants who score between 82 and 95 percentile and want an IIM degree with solid placement support. Among all Baby IIMs, IIM Trichy and IIM Kashipur lead in placements with average CTCs of ₹19.43 LPA and ₹18.10 LPA respectively. IIM Visakhapatnam offers the best NIRF rank at 29 and the lowest qualifying cutoff at 82 percentile. Fees are affordable at ₹17–21 lakh compared to older IIMs. With mentor IIM support and growing industry connections, Baby IIMs are a practical and value-for-money MBA option in India. Start your CAT 2026 preparation early and use an IIM Call Predictor tool to identify the best Baby IIM for your profile.