MBAUniverse.com Rankings 2026: IIM Ahmedabad Reclaims No. 1; India’s Best AI-Ready B-Schools Revealed

Let’s start with the big breaking news from MBAUniverse.com 2026 Rankings. Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM A) has captured the top spot in Rankings 2026, topping IIM Bangalore which had occupied the number 1 rank for four years consecutively. IIM Bangalore had achieved the Rank 1 for the first time in 2022. Last year, a resurgent IIM Ahmedabad has edged out sibling IIM Calcutta to claim the rank 2 in MBAUniverse.com Ranking 2025. This year, IIM A has further moved up to the No 1 rank. IIM Calcutta is ranked No 3 B-school in India by MBAUniverse.com Rankings 2026. 

In this year’s ranking, we also reveal India’s Best AI-Ready B-schools. Read complete details. 

Before we delve deeper into the rankings, it is important to understand the mega trends reshaping Indian management education. These trends form the broader context for the rankings and have a direct influence on the methodology and the outcomes.

1. Technology, AI is Transforming Businesses
2. MBA Placements Undergoing Significant Shift
3. Financial ROI of MBA is Under Pressure
4. MBA Admissions Process Needs Recalibration
5. NIRF, Accreditations Pulling B-Schools in Different Directions

As these interlinked trends are reshaping the Indian management education landscape, only agile and forward-looking B-schools can sustain, and improve their rankings. The following sections provide a concise overview of these mega trends.

First Trend: Technology, AI is Transforming Businesses 
Businesses today are navigating a profound shift as artificial intelligence and related technologies move from experimental pilots to drivers of strategic business transformation. According to McKinsey’s State of AI survey, AI adoption has broadened significantly across industries, with more than 90 percent of organisations using AI in at least one business function (McKinsey & Company, 2024). McKinsey’s research further shows that organisations capturing meaningful value from AI are redesigning workflows and decision-making structures to integrate AI deeply into core functions (McKinsey & Company, 2024). This strategic shift is echoed in analyses by BCG and the World Economic Forum on the role of AI in industry transformation. Taken together, these insights highlight that AI-led technologies, much like the Internet in 2000s, are becoming foundational to how modern businesses operate, compete, and create value. This AI-led transformation is fundamentally altering firms’ talent requirements, shifting demand toward professionals who combine domain expertise with digital, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.

Second Trend: MBA Placements have Transformed 
Career outcomes are undeniably the primary driver for MBA aspirants, serving as the single most influential factor in their decision-making process. MBA Placements have transformed in the last five years. As highlighted in the recent Indian Management Conclave (IMC) Theme Paper, in the backdrop of digital business transformation, companies today do not have the time or the inclination to groom fresh MBAs through long and intense training programs. MBA hiring has therefore shifted toward candidates who are ‘role-ready’ for their sector. Increasingly, to get hired from MBA campuses, “role-specific competencies and skills’ matter more than broad, generic management and business knowledge. Hence, campus recruitment approach has moved away from traditional ‘management trainee’ profiles toward clearly defined roles such as ‘business analysts’ or ‘risk analysts.’ The IMC Theme Paper provided ample evidence of this shift toward role-specific hiring. A related trend is the growing concentration of MBA hiring in a few sectors. As citied in the theme paper, just three sectors now account for over 75% of all MBA placements among the Top 50 Indian B-schools. These are Global Capability Centers (GCC) and IT Services (34%), Consulting (25%), and BFSI (26%). These trends have clear implications for B-schools.

Third Trend: MBA Aspirants Are Questioning Financial ROI of MBA
MBA aspirants are increasingly questioning the financial return on investment (ROI) of an MBA. MBAUniverse.com analysis of B-school placement reports shows that average salaries have stagnated or declined in last few years, even at top institutions. For instance, IIM Bangalore’s average salary fell from Rs. 35.92 lakh in 2024 to Rs. 34.88 lakh in 2025, while IIM Calcutta’s average dropped from Rs. 35.07 lakh to Rs. 34.23 lakh over the same period (Table 1). This salary stagnation is occurring alongside relentlessly rising MBA fees that beats the inflation. For example, IIM Bangalore’s fees increased from Rs. 24.70 lakh (2023–25) to Rs. 26.50 lakh (2024–26), while IIM Calcutta’s fees jumped sharply to Rs. 33.50 lakh for the 2025–27 batch (Table 2).

This combination of falling salaries and rising costs is compressing financial ROI, making value-for-money a central concern for aspirants and parents. MBA aspirants’ concerns about rising fees and softer placement outcomes are reflected in entrance exam trends. CAT 2025 registration saw a 10 percent drop in registrations to about 2.95 lakh.

Table 1: MBA Salaries Stagnant

Table 2: MBA Fees are Rising 

Fourth Trend: India’s MBA Admissions Process Needs Recalibration
India’s MBA admissions process is increasingly out of sync with contemporary industry needs. Most top B-schools continue to prioritise high CAT/XAT cut-offs as the primary signal of “input” quality to recruiters and ranking agencies, often at the expense of a holistic assessment of candidate potential. The real “profile” of applicants, particularly soft skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, and adaptability, remains secondary for most leading institutions. The admission process of most IIMs is particularly misaligned due to concerns over RTI and other public scrutiny of assessment criteria. This misalignment is demonstrated by a recent study that found significant disagreement between industry experts and academics on the relative importance of key managerial competencies. The findings underscore the need for a more competency-aligned and future-oriented MBA selection framework.

Fifth Trend: NIRF, Accreditation Altering B-Schools’ Priorities?
Even as the business landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, requiring swift and strategic responses from B-schools, multiple external forces are pulling institutions in divergent directions. For instance, the NIRF Rankings, which place significant weight on research output and perception metrics, often incentivise priorities that does not align with immediate industry or student needs. At the same time, some international accreditations demand B-schools to “globalise” their curriculum, student and faculty pool. Except for say top 25 B-schools, aren’t the 99.5% of B-schools in India well advised to focus on meeting the expectations of their students and industry recruiters?
With this context, it’s time for the mega ranking reveal! 

The defining headline of the 2026 rankings is a seismic shift at the top of the ranking. For four consecutive years (2022–2025), IIM Bangalore maintained an iron grip on the No. 1 position in the MBAUniverse.com Rankings, cultivating an aura of invincibility. However, 2026 marks a turning point as IIM Ahmedabad successfully reclaims the throne—albeit by a razor-thin margin of just 4.5 points out of 1,000. Meanwhile, IIM Calcutta, despite the leadership turmoil in recent years, retains its No. 3 rank, leveraging a formidable legacy that continues to attract top-tier participants and deliver elite placement outcomes.

While the “Big Three IIMs” continue to occupy the top three spots, SPJIMR Mumbai (Rank 4) has proven its mettle once again. SPJIMR continues to outperform legacy B-schools through its highly differentiated approach, which emphasizes strong industry relevance, unique pedagogical interventions, and profile-based admissions. Notably, IIM Lucknow (Rank 5) and IIM Mumbai (Rank 7) have both gained ground, reflecting a resurgence in their institutional momentum. Two second-generation IIMs—IIM Kozhikode at Rank 6 and IIM Indore at Rank 9—further solidify the IIM dominance within this elite Top 10 segment.

A closer look at FMS Delhi’s (Rank 8) scores across the Input-Process-Outcome matrix reveals both its defining strengths and critical areas for improvement. While FMS Delhi boasts exceptionally high placement outcome scores (405.2)—placing it at Rank 6 in that specific category—it faces challenges in academic processes, including a lower faculty-to-student ratio, infrastructure limitations, and a modest research output. However, for MBA aspirants, FMS Delhi remains the undisputed leader in ROI among Indian B-schools. With a 2025 average salary of ₹34.10 lakhs, at par with the “Big Three IIMs”, and fees of just ₹2.32 lakhs, it firmly secures its place within the Top 10 of this outcome-focused ranking for smart MBA aspirants. IIFT New Delhi, witnessing a renewed dynamism following the launch of its international campus in Dubai and significant improvement in placement outcomes, maintains it’s standing to round out the Top 10. 

Check the table Radar Chart for Top 10 B-schools that graphical shows how input-process-output scores vary for each B-school displaying their strengths and areas of further improvements, relative to their peers. Especially notice the differences in Output and Process webs, which is based on the I-P-O scores in preceding table 4.

Table 3: India’s Top 10 B-schools – Ranks | MBAUniverse.com Ranking 2026 

Table 4: India’s Top 10 B-schools – IPO Scores | MBAUniverse.com Ranking 2026

Figure 1: Radar Chart for Top 10 B-schools – MBAUniverse.com Rankings

The 2026 data confirms that the 11–20 segment comprises highly competitive B-schools, each eager to break into the elite Top 10. MDI Gurgaon (Rank 11, total score: 739.5) sits just five points behind IIFT Delhi (Rank 10, total score: 744.6), underscoring the extreme intensity of this tier. A key insight from this ranking band is the significantly tighter spread of total scores compared to the Top 10. While the score range for the Top 10 spanned 153.9 points, it narrows to just 81.38 points for this segment, implying that the schools ranked 11–20 are much more closely matched in their overall competitiveness.

A major highlight of this year’s rankings is the significant four-rank jump recorded by IIM Ranchi. Ranked at 18 (total score: 671.5), IIM Ranchi has delivered the strongest year-on-year growth among India’s top B-schools. This leap is the result of a consistent increase in its career outcomes, and strategic initiatives undertaken over the last three years.

NMIMS Mumbai (Rank 12, Total Score 735.8) and IIM Tiruchirappalli (Rank 20, Total Score 658.1) have both successfully climbed the ladder. The dip in IIM Shillong’s position serves as a stark reminder: in the highly competitive 11–20 ranking band, standing still is equivalent to falling behind.

Another major highlight of the MBAUniverse.com Rankings 2026 is the exit of IIM Udaipur from the prestigious Top 11–20 bracket, having previously held the #16 spot in 2025. Capitalizing on this shift, IMI New Delhi (Rank 16, Total Score 678.3) and IMT Ghaziabad (Rank 17, Total Score -674.9) have each climbed one position. Notice the intense competition in this ranking table—a mere 3.4 points out of 1,000 separate IMI Delhi from IMT Ghaziabad, which has gained some points! While XIM Bhubaneswar successfully maintained its rank 19, IIM Trichy has climbed one position to secure its place within the prestigious Top 20 table.

Table 5: India’s Top 10-20 B-schools | MBAUniverse.com Ranking 2026

What makes the MBAUniverse.com Ranking unique is its inclusive approach: it ranks the majority of IIMs, several IITs, and nearly all prominent private B-schools, ensuring that every segment is as fiercely contested as the Top 10 or Top 20. Unsurprisingly, the Rank 21–35 league table reflects this high level of competition. Following the ascent of second-generation IIMs (such as IIM Ranchi) into the Top 20 table, third-generation IIMs like IIM Nagpur have now also cemented their place within this ranking band.

Despite the stiff competition, GIM Goa has further consolidated its position, climbing one spot to Rank 23 (total score – 643.6). IIM Raipur (Rank 24, Total Score – 640.4), IIM Kashipur (Rank 25, Total Score – 630.8) and IIM Nagpur (Rank 26, Total Score – 624.5) occupy prominent place with 21-35 B-schools rankings table. FORE Delhi (Rank 27, Total Score – 618.2) has climbed one spot, outperforming several IIMs and IITs in the process. Conversely, K J Somaiya Mumbai has slipped by one rank. 

The highlight of this segment is the exit of IIM Udaipur from the Top 11–20 bracket into this segment. Once a showcase of research-driven B-school, IIM Udaipur seems to be struggling to keep pace. For context, IIM Udaipur has about 10% lower placement outcomes compared to IIM Ranchi.

Another highlight of this year’s MBAUniverse.com Rankings 2026 is the rise of IIM Sambalpur, which has delivered a breakout performance, leaping 8 places to Rank 31. Another notable highlight in this segment is MDI Murshidabad, which secured a three-place climb to reach Rank 35.

Table 6: MBAUniverse.com Ranking 2026 – Top 21-35 B-schools in India 

Getting into the Top 50 of the MBAUniverse.com Rankings 2026 is a significant achievement, considering there are over 3,000 MBA/PGDM programs in India. The institutions ranked in the 36–50 bracket represent the elite top 2% of management education in the country.

SIBM Bengaluru (Rank 36, Total Score 598.3) has surged by four places in this year's rankings. Great Lakes Gurgaon (Rank 38, Total Score 585.8) and JAGSoM Bangalore (Rank 39, Total Score 579.9) have both made impressive debuts within the highly competitive Top 40 bracket. IIM Amritsar and IIM Sirmaur further solidify the Top 40 line-up. Additionally, Jaipuria Noida (Rank 41, Total Score 559.8) has climbed two spots following a strong all-round performance, while LM Thapar School of Management, Chandigarh (Rank 44, Total Score 545.9) emerges as a promising new entrant. Other notable private PGDM institutions, including IBA Bangalore, IPE Hyderabad, IMI Bhubaneswar, and SDMIMD Mysuru, have successfully outperformed numerous competitors to retain their positions in the prestigious Top 50.

Table 7: MBAUniverse.com Ranking 2026 – Top 36-50 B-schools in India 

While the spotlight often falls on the Top 20, the 51–75 bracket represents the significant “Value-for-Money” segment that consists of regional leaders with growing national footprint. Refer table 6. These institutions are characterized by their strong regional dominance, specialized industry niches, and consistent performance in placement ROI outcomes. In an era of escalating tuition costs, these B-schools provide relevant alternatives to aspirants looking for high ROI B-schools. This segment serves as the breeding ground for ambitious B-schools poised to break into the Top 50 in the coming years. 

Table 8: Top 51-75 B-schools in India | MBAUniverse.com Ranking 2026

As noted earlier, AI and related technologies have gained rapid adoption by businesses and professionals. AI is also fundamentally reshaping the B-school value chain by necessitating a shift from legacy approach to new models. s highlighted in the IMC 2025 Theme Paper, select progressive B-schools are focusing on enhancing students’ “AI-readiness” by embedding digital competencies within curriculum design and teaching practices. Meanwhile, AI is accelerating the entire research lifecycle, from ideation and methodology development to data analysis and interpretation.

In this context, MBAUniverse.com has introduced India’s first AI-readiness ranking in B-schools. This ranking is based on following parameters:

• Number of hours of AI training for second-year students

• Total faculty training hours in AI 

• Development and Adoption of a formally approved and implemented AI policy

• Specific interventions in improving career and placement outcomes 

We have also incorporated a 2.5% weight for “AI-Readiness” within its Academic Process evaluation framework. 

Table 9: India’s Top 10 AI-Ready B-schools | MBAUniverse.com Ranking 2026

Prospective MBA students frequently consult multiple rankings to evaluate the standing of business schools before taking admission decision. The following table provides a comparative overview of top MBA colleges as positioned by three premier ranking frameworks: MBAUniverse.com Ranking 2026, Business Today Ranking 2025, and NIRF Management Ranking 2025.

This comparative analysis reveals that while Business Today 2025 ranking aligns with several MBAUniverse.com ranks, it notably excludes key institutions like IIM Bangalore and IIM Kozhikode, creating significant gaps for comparison. When compared with MBAUniverse.com, NIRF 2025 rankings show drastic variations, often placing leaders like SPJIMR (Rank 4 by MBAUniverse.com) as low as 20th. MBAUniverse.com 2026 emerges as the most comprehensive and outcome-driven ranking, successfully bridging the strategic omissions in BT, and drawbacks in NIRF rankings. Read overview of their methodologies in the following section.

Table 10: Top MBA Colleges in India | Comparative Rankings 2025-26

India’s MBA rankings ecosystem is crowded and methodologically fragmented. NIRF, Business Today, and MBAUniverse.com, the three prominent rankings that reflect fundamentally different philosophies about “what” to measure, “how” to measure and for “whom” to measure. Check their methodologies below. When benchmarked against the widely regarded Financial Times (FT) MIM rankings, MBAUniverse.com Rankings 2026 emerge as the closest Indian counterpart that is objective, data-driven, and anchored in career outcomes.

Since 2010, MBAUniverse.com conducts its annual MBAUniverse.com B-school Ranking which is recognized as one of India’s most credible MBA Ranking. Our ranking methodology highlights are: 

• Purely Quantitative, No Perception Bias: MBAUniverse.com Rankings are based solely on verified data. No weightage for subjective perceptions ensures complete transparency and objectivity.

• Holistic Assessment Framework: Since its inception, our Ranking has used a holistic assessment framework that measures ‘Input’, ‘Process’, and ‘Outcomes’ of a management school.

• Most Comprehensive MBA Ranking: Almost all top B-schools including almost all top IIMs, IITs, PGDM B-schools and Universities are ranked in this highly comprehensive ranking, offering the broadest coverage universe in India.
• Global Benchmarking: Our ranking methodology is regularly reviewed against leading global and national ranking frameworks to ensure continued excellence.
• Unmatched Reach & Influence: Informs 10,000+ policy makers, corporate leaders, and MBA educators; reaches over 200,000+ MBA aspirants making admission decisions.

MBAUniverse.com 2026 is also India’s first ranking to formally weight “AI-Readiness” within B-school curriculum and pedagogy. This forward-looking approach positions the ranking ahead of traditional frameworks that rely on legacy benchmarks.

Table 10: MBAUniverse.com Rankings 2026 Methodology – Weightages

Table 11: FT Masters in Management Rankings 2025 Methodology – Weightages

Table 12: Business Today Best B-schools 2025 Ranking Methodology – Weightages 

Table 13: NIRF 2025 Ranking Methodology – Weightages

In summary, MBAUniverse.com Rankings 2026 highlight a management education landscape that is undergoing rapid and irreversible change. With career outcomes, digital capabilities, and institutional agility emerging as decisive success factors, traditional notions of prestige alone are no longer sufficient to sustain leadership. The re-emergence of IIM Ahmedabad at the top, the rise of new-generation IIMs, and the growing prominence of private B-schools signal a more competitive and performance-driven ecosystem. By integrating AI-readiness and assigning the highest weight to placement outcomes, the rankings offer a forward-looking framework that aligns closely with what truly matters to today’s MBA aspirants and recruiters alike.