BLACKI IIM: College List, Packages, fess & admission process

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Every year, lakhs of students appear for the CAT exam with one goal in mind — securing a seat at one of India's top IIMs. Among all the IIMs in the country, six institutions have consistently stood out for their academic rigor, placement records, and overall reputation. These six are collectively referred to as BLACKI IIM. Each of these institutes has carved a distinct identity in the world of management education, attracting top recruiters, producing industry leaders, and offering some of the most competitive PGP programs in Asia. Understanding what each BLACKI IIM offers — and how they differ from one another — helps aspirants make more informed decisions about where to direct their preparation and aspirations.

Letter	IIM
B	IIM Bangalore
L	IIM Lucknow
A	IIM Ahmedabad
C	IIM Calcutta
K	IIM Kozhikode
I	IIM Indore

LIST OF BLACKI IIMs

Choosing the right IIM depends on multiple factors — fees, average salary package, CAT cutoff, and available seats. Each of the six BLACKI IIMs differs significantly across these parameters, and a side-by-side comparison makes it easier to understand where each institute stands relative to the others.

IIM	Total Fees (Approx.)	Average Package	CAT Cutoff (Approx.)	Seats (Approx.)
IIM Ahmedabad	₹25 Lakhs	₹36.14 LPA	99+ percentile	385
IIM Bangalore	₹24.5 Lakhs	₹35.92 LPA	99+ percentile	512
IIM Calcutta	₹27 Lakhs	₹35.07 LPA	99+ percentile	480
IIM Lucknow	₹20.75 Lakhs	₹30 LPA	97–98 percentile	435
IIM Kozhikode	₹22.5 Lakhs	₹28.05 LPA	95–97 percentile	420
IIM Indore	₹21.14 Lakhs	₹25.68 LPA	95–97 percentile	550

BLACKI IIM College List

1. IIM Ahmedabad

IIM Ahmedabad is ranked No. 1 in India by NIRF since 2020 and is considered the most prestigious management institute in the country. It has been consistently ranked No. 1 by the Eduniversal Best Masters Ranking as well.

Key Highlights:

Flagship program: PGP (2 years)
Total fees: Approx. ₹25 Lakhs
Average package: ₹36.14 LPA
Top recruiters: McKinsey, BCG, Goldman Sachs, Bain & Co.
CAT cutoff: 99+ percentile
Total seats: ~385

IIM Ahmedabad places a strong emphasis on case-based learning, research excellence, and managerial leadership. It is the top choice for students aiming for consulting and finance roles.

2. IIM Bangalore

Located in India's tech capital, IIM Bangalore has strong ties with the startup ecosystem and leading corporate giants. It has notable collaborations with Goldman Sachs, Kotak Bank, and NITI Aayog for incubation and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Key Highlights:

Flagship program: PGP (2 years)
Total fees: Approx. ₹24.5 Lakhs
Average package: ₹35.92 LPA
Top recruiters: Amazon, Bain & Co., Flipkart
CAT cutoff: 99+ percentile
Total seats: ~512

IIM Bangalore is especially well-regarded for tech-driven management roles and its proximity to the Bengaluru startup hub makes it a top pick for students interested in product management and entrepreneurship.

3. IIM Calcutta

IIM Calcutta holds the distinction of being the first IIM established in India. It is also the first triple-accredited institute in India, holding accreditations from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS simultaneously.

Key Highlights:

Flagship program: MBA (2 years)
Total fees: Approx. ₹27 Lakhs
Average package: ₹35.07 LPA
Top recruiters: JP Morgan, HSBC, Tata Group
CAT cutoff: 99+ percentile
Total seats: ~480

IIM Calcutta has a strong legacy in finance and is among the top choices for students looking to enter investment banking, consulting, or BFSI (Banking, Financial Services & Insurance) sectors.

4. IIM Lucknow

IIM Lucknow is widely recognized for its focus on leadership, governance, and analytics. It aims to be a globally relevant center of management excellence and has strong industry collaboration programs.

Key Highlights:

Flagship program: PGP (2 years)
Total fees: Approx. ₹20.75 Lakhs
Average package: ₹30 LPA
Top recruiters: Deloitte, PwC, Accenture
CAT cutoff: 97–98 percentile
Total seats: ~435

With relatively lower fees compared to the top three BLACKI IIMs and still excellent placement records, IIM Lucknow offers strong ROI for CAT aspirants.

5. IIM Kozhikode

IIM Kozhikode is one of the fastest-growing management schools in India. Starting with just 42 students in 1997, it graduated over 1,200 students in 2024. It is known for high academic standards and a strong emphasis on research and innovation.

Key Highlights:

Flagship program: PGP (2 years)
Total fees: Approx. ₹22.5 Lakhs
Average package: ₹28.05 LPA
Top recruiters: Microsoft, Google, HUL
CAT cutoff: 95–97 percentile
Total seats: ~420

IIM Kozhikode's growth trajectory and improving placement stats make it an increasingly attractive option for aspirants who may not crack the 99 percentile barrier.

6. IIM Indore

IIM Indore, established in 1996, is known for its modern infrastructure, state-of-the-art sports facilities, and strong IT backbone. It has been a consistent collaborator with PSUs, the government sector, and private industry.

Key Highlights:

Flagship program: PGP (2 years)
Total fees: Approx. ₹21.14 Lakhs
Average package: ₹25.68 LPA
Top recruiters: EY, ICICI Bank, Amazon
CAT cutoff: 95–97 percentile
Total seats: ~550

IIM Indore also offers the IPM (Integrated Programme in Management) — a 5-year program for students right after Class 12, making it unique among BLACKI IIMs.

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BLACKI IIM Admission Process 2026

Getting into a BLACKI IIM requires clearing multiple rounds. Here is a step-by-step breakdown:

Step 1 — CAT Exam All BLACKI IIMs accept CAT scores. The exam is held once a year, usually in November. A high CAT percentile is the first and most critical step.

Step 2 — IIM Shortlisting (January) Based on CAT scores, academic profile, work experience, and diversity factors, IIMs shortlist candidates for the next round.

Step 3 — WAT-GD-PI Rounds (February to April)

Written Ability Test (WAT): Tests analytical and writing skills through an essay prompt
Group Discussion (GD): Evaluates teamwork, communication, and leadership abilities
Personal Interview (PI): One-on-one interview focusing on academics, work experience, and career goals

Step 4 — Final Admission Offers (May) The final merit list is prepared based on cumulative performance across CAT score, WAT-GD-PI, academic record, and work profile. Offers are released in May.

BLACKI IIM Rankings 2026

Rankings play an important role in how aspirants and recruiters perceive a business school. In India, the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) rankings released by the Ministry of Education are considered the most credible reference point for comparing management institutes. All six BLACKI IIMs consistently feature in the top positions of the NIRF management rankings, which reflects their academic quality, research output, placement strength, and peer perception.

IIM	NIRF Rank 2024	Known Strength
IIM Ahmedabad	1	General Management, Consulting
IIM Bangalore	2	Tech, Entrepreneurship
IIM Calcutta	3	Finance, BFSI
IIM Lucknow	4	Analytics, Consulting
IIM Kozhikode	5	Research, FMCG
IIM Indore	6	Infrastructure, IPM

Which BLACKI IIM is Best for You?

If you want Consulting: IIM Ahmedabad or IIM Bangalore — McKinsey, BCG, and Bain recruit heavily from these campuses.

If you want Finance/Investment Banking: IIM Calcutta — JP Morgan and HSBC have strong hiring pipelines here.

If you want the best ROI on fees: IIM Lucknow — strong placements at ₹20.75 Lakhs total fees.

If your CAT percentile is 95–97: IIM Kozhikode or IIM Indore are your best BLACKI options.

If you want the IPM route (after Class 12): IIM Indore is your only BLACKI option.

Conclusion

BLACKI IIM colleges represent the gold standard of management education in India. Whether you are aiming for the top three — Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta — or targeting Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore, all six offer world-class PGP programs, strong placement records, and excellent career outcomes. Your choice should depend on your CAT percentile, target industry, budget, and long-term career goals. Start your CAT preparation early, aim for the highest percentile possible, and use this guide to pick the right BLACKI IIM for your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which are the hardest IIMs to get into?

IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta are the hardest to get into. They typically require a CAT percentile of 99 or above, along with a strong academic record and work experience profile.

What are the eligibility criteria for top management programs in India?

To apply for the PGP program at any BLACKI IIM, you need a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST) from a recognized university, along with a valid CAT score.

How do the flagship management programs of BLACKI IIMs compare?

All six BLACKI IIMs offer a 2-year PGP (or MBA) program. IIM Ahmedabad and Bangalore are known for their case-based learning approach, while IIM Calcutta has a stronger quantitative and finance focus. IIM Lucknow emphasizes leadership and governance, IIM Kozhikode focuses on research, and IIM Indore is recognized for its infrastructure and the unique IPM offering.

Which BLACKI IIM offers the best ROI based on placements?

IIM Lucknow offers one of the best ROI ratios among BLACKI IIMs — ₹20.75 Lakhs in fees against an average package of ₹30 LPA. IIM Ahmedabad and Bangalore offer the highest absolute packages but at higher fee levels too.

Which IIM offers the best executive MBA program?

IIM Bangalore's EPGP and IIM Calcutta's PGPEX are among the most highly regarded executive MBA programs. Both rank consistently well in global executive education rankings.

What factors influence the standing of top business schools in India?

Key factors include NIRF ranking, CAT cutoff, average placement packages, recruiter quality, faculty research output, international accreditations (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS), and alumni network strength.

Which BLACKI IIM is best for a finance specialization?

IIM Calcutta is widely regarded as the best BLACKI IIM for finance, given its strong BFSI recruiter base including JP Morgan and HSBC. IIM Ahmedabad is also an excellent choice for investment banking roles.

How do BLACKI IIMs compare based on faculty and research output?

IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore lead in research output and faculty qualifications. IIM Kozhikode has also been investing heavily in research and innovation, making it a rising name in management research circles.

What are the top-ranked management institutes in India for MBA?

As per NIRF 2024, the top-ranked management institutes in India are IIM Ahmedabad (1), IIM Bangalore (2), IIM Calcutta (3), IIM Lucknow (4), IIM Kozhikode (5), and IIM Indore (6) — all part of the BLACKI IIM group.

What are the eligibility criteria for postgraduate programs at BLACKI IIMs?

Candidates need a recognized bachelor's degree with minimum 50% aggregate marks (45% for reserved categories), a valid CAT scorecard, and must clear the WAT-GD-PI rounds conducted by each IIM individually.