IIM Colleges in India: Cutoff, Placements & NIRF Rankings

IIM colleges — the Indian Institutes of Management — are the most prestigious management institutes in India. Getting into one can transform your career. Whether you are a fresher or a working professional, understanding the full list of IIM colleges, their fees, CAT cutoff, and placements is the first step.

• Total IIM colleges in India: 21
• Best IIM for MBA: IIM Ahmedabad (NIRF Rank 1, Average CTC: 36.14 LPA)
• Cheapest IIM: IIM Sambalpur (Fees: ~13 Lakhs)
• Lowest CAT cutoff IIM: Baby IIMs at 93+ percentile
• IIMs with 100% placement record: IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta
• Toughest IIM to get into: IIM Ahmedabad (CAT cutoff 99.5+ percentile)
• IIMs established with international help: IIM Calcutta (MIT Sloan), IIM Ahmedabad (Harvard Business School)

Complete List of IIM Colleges in India

Below is the full list of IIM colleges in India with their NIRF rankings, fees, average CTC, and CAT cutoff percentile for easy comparison:

Also Read: IIM CAP CALLS 2026

How Many IIM Colleges Are There in India?

There are currently 21 IIM colleges in India as of 2025. These are spread across different states and can be grouped into three categories:

• Old IIMs (established before 2000): IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore, IIM Mumbai
• New IIMs (established between 2007-2010): IIM Shillong, IIM Rohtak, IIM Udaipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi
• Baby IIMs (established after 2011): IIM Kashipur, IIM Trichy, IIM Nagpur, IIM Amritsar, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Visakhapatnam, IIM Jammu

Each category has its own set of strengths, fees structure, and placement records. The older IIMs are generally considered more prestigious, but new and baby IIMs are catching up fast.

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Which Are the Top 7 IIMs in India?

The top 7 IIMs in India, also commonly known as the BLACKI IIMs, are:

• IIM Bangalore (B)
• IIM Lucknow (L)
• IIM Ahmedabad (A)
• IIM Calcutta (C)
• IIM Kozhikode (K)
• IIM Indore (I)
• IIM Mumbai / NITIE (M)

These seven IIMs consistently rank in the top 10 in India (NIRF Rankings) and several of them appear in the QS World University Rankings as well. Getting into any of these is considered a major achievement for CAT aspirants.

Top 10 IIM Colleges in India

1. IIM Ahmedabad — Best IIM for MBA in India

IIM Ahmedabad is the number one management institute in India according to NIRF 2023. It was set up in 1961 with support from Harvard Business School. The average CTC here is 36.14 LPA, and the CAT cutoff is among the highest at 99.5 percentile and above. It offers a 100% placement record, making it the dream college for most MBA aspirants. Former RBI Governor Dr. Raghuram Rajan is one of its notable alumni.

• NIRF Rank: 1 | Fees: 26 Lakhs | Avg CTC: 36.14 LPA | CAT Cutoff: 99.5+

2. IIM Bangalore — Best for Startups and Networking

IIM Bangalore, established in 1973, is ranked #2 by NIRF and #48 in QS World Rankings. Its location in Bengaluru gives students exposure to the startup ecosystem. The average CTC is 35.92 LPA. The college attracts a young crowd and fosters an environment of risk-taking and innovation.

• NIRF Rank: 2 | Fees: 24.7 Lakhs | Avg CTC: 35.92 LPA | CAT Cutoff: 99+

3. IIM Calcutta — Oldest IIM, Triple Accredited

IIM Calcutta is the oldest IIM in India, established in 1961 with support from MIT Sloan School of Management. It holds a triple accreditation — AACSB (USA), AMBA (UK), and EFMD/EQUIS (Belgium) — making it one of the most globally recognized business schools in India. Average CTC stands at 32.62 LPA.

• NIRF Rank: 4 | Fees: 27 Lakhs | Avg CTC: 32.62 LPA | CAT Cutoff: 99+

4. IIM Lucknow — Best for Finance

IIM Lucknow is recognized as an Institution of Excellence by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. It is known for finance education and often prefers students from diverse backgrounds such as law and medicine. Average CTC is 30 LPA.

• NIRF Rank: 6 | Fees: 20.75 Lakhs | Avg CTC: 30 LPA | CAT Cutoff: 99+

5. IIM Kozhikode — Fastest Rising IIM

IIM Kozhikode jumped to #3 in NIRF 2023, higher than IIM Calcutta, due to its strong entrepreneurial culture and alumni-funded fellowship programme. It was also the first IIM to offer an executive learning programme. Average CTC is 28.05 LPA.

• NIRF Rank: 3 | Fees: 21 Lakhs | Avg CTC: 28.05 LPA | CAT Cutoff: 99+

6. IIM Indore — First IIM with IPM Programme

IIM Indore was the first IIM to launch an Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) for undergraduate students in 2014. Because of this, its batch size is larger, which attracts top companies. In placements 2024, the highest CTC exceeded 1 Crore.

• NIRF Rank: 8 | Fees: 22.5 Lakhs | Avg CTC: 25.68 LPA | CAT Cutoff: 99+

7. IIM Mumbai — Best for Operations Management

IIM Mumbai Formerly known as NITIE (National Institute of Industrial Engineering), IIM Mumbai was one of the best institutes in the country even before receiving IIM status. It is considered the top college for operations and supply chain management. Average CTC for the top 50% of the batch is 33.84 LPA.

• NIRF Rank: 7 | Fees: ~24 Lakhs | Avg CTC: 33.84 LPA (top 50%) | CAT Cutoff: 98+

8. IIM Raipur

IIM Raipur is ranked #11 by NIRF 2023. Even as a newer IIM, it has made a name through experimentation and a niche approach to management education. Average CTC is 17.3 LPA.

• NIRF Rank: 11 | Fees: 17 Lakhs | Avg CTC: 17.3 LPA | CAT Cutoff: 95+

9. IIM Rohtak — Highest Female-to-Male Ratio

IIM Rohtak has a unique 3:1 female to male student ratio. The selection process is very profile-driven, meaning even students at 99 percentile have been rejected while those at 92 percentile have secured admission. Average CTC is 19.27 LPA.

• NIRF Rank: 12 | Fees: 18.3 Lakhs | Avg CTC: 19.27 LPA | CAT Cutoff: 96+

10. IIM Udaipur — Youngest IIM in Global Rankings

IIM Udaipur is ranked among the top 200 globally in QS Rankings, making it the youngest B-School in India to achieve a global ranking. Its profile-focused admission criteria means a strong academic and professional background matters more than just CAT scores. Average CTC is 20.32 LPA.

• NIRF Rank: 16 | Fees: 20.4 Lakhs | Avg CTC: 20.32 LPA | CAT Cutoff: 95+

Baby IIM Colleges in India: Admission Criteria, Fees, and Placements

Baby IIMs are those established after 2011. They are mentored by older IIMs and follow similar curriculum and pedagogy. They are a great option for students who want the IIM brand at a lower cost and a slightly lower CAT cutoff.

IIM Selection Criteria

IIM admission goes beyond just your CAT exam percentile. Here is a breakdown of the typical IIM selection criteria:

• CAT Score and Percentile: The primary filter. Different IIMs have different sectional and overall cutoffs.
• Class 10 and Class 12 Marks: Many IIMs include academic scores from school to diversify their batch.
• Graduation Marks: Your undergraduate performance plays a role, especially in older IIMs.
• Work Experience: Preferred by some IIMs, while others actively seek freshers.
• Gender Diversity: Institutes like IIM Rohtak give weightage to gender balance.
• Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI): Final round after shortlisting.

Each IIM has a different weightage system for these factors, so always check the official admission criteria on their website before applying.

Which IIM Has 100% Placement?

IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta are known for their 100% placement records. These top IIMs attract the best companies from sectors like consulting, finance, FMCG, technology, and e-commerce. Even newer IIMs are improving their placement records year after year, with companies visiting their campuses for both summer internships and final placements.

How to Apply to IIM Colleges: A Step-by-Step Workflow for Students

• Step 1 - Register for CAT: Visit the official CAT website and fill in your application before the deadline.
• Step 2 - Prepare for CAT: Focus on Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. Use coaching platforms like Coachify Institute for structured preparation.
• Step 3 - Check Shortlisting Criteria: After results, each IIM releases a shortlist based on CAT score, academic records, and diversity factors.
• Step 4 - Appear for WAT-PI: Prepare for the Written Ability Test and Personal Interview. These are crucial for final selection.
• Step 5 - Apply for Education Loan: If needed, contact nationalized banks like SBI, Canara Bank, or private lenders. Most IIMs are on the approved list for education loans.
• Step 6 - Accept Offer and Report to Campus: Pay the fees and complete the admission formalities.

Conclusion 

IIM colleges in India are among the finest management institutions in the world. Whether you are targeting IIM Ahmedabad at the top or a baby IIM like IIM Sambalpur, every IIM gives you a quality education and strong placement support. The key is to know which IIM suits your profile, your CAT percentile, and your career goals. Start your preparation early, aim high, and make a well-informed decision using the comparison tables and details shared in this guide.