IIMs NIRF Ranking 2026: Top IIMs in India; Old vs New IIM Comparison, Ranking Parameters and Weightage
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NIRF MBA Ranking 2026 is expected to be announced soon. This year too, the top IIMs - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kozhikode, Calcutta,Lucknow and Indore are expected to grab positions in top 10. Check here past year IIM MBA NIRF ranking and parameters on which institutes are ranked.
IIM NIRF Ranking (representative image)
The IIMs hold top ranks in MHRD-NIRF Management rankings every year and is expected to be the same for this year too. The Government of India is soon expected to release the NIRF MBA Ranking 2026. Candidates planning to pursue MBA in 2027, can base their admission plan on the basis of the latest NIRF IIM rankings. It will help them compare IIMs with other top ranking MBA colleges in India and prepare for the CAT 2026 exam accordingly.
Every year, over 1000 MBA colleges in India participate in the NIRF rankings out of which the Government ranks only top 100. All 21 IIMs find a spot in the list. The top six IIMs (BLACKI) dominate the top 15 ranks, with IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, IIM Bangalore and IIM Kozhikode being in the top 10.
- NIRF Ranking 2026 Release Date
- What is NIRF Ranking?
- NIRF Ranking 2026 Management: Parameters and Weightage
- IIM Rankings 2026: NIRF List
- Previous Year IIM NIRF Ranking
- IIMs NIRF Rankings 2025 and 2024
- Old IIMs vs New IIMs NIRF Ranking: A Comparison
- Top IIMs in India 2025 NIRF Ranking Analysis
NIRF Ranking 2026 Release Date
The Ministry of Education, Government of India has not announced the NIRF Ranking 2026 release date. However, based on last year’s schedule one can expect them to conduct announcement ceremony anytime soon.
- NIRF 2025 was released on September 4, 2025.
- NIRF 2024 was announced in August 12, 2024.
The process of NIRF ranking 2026 began in January 2026 with the ministry inviting institutes to submit data by March 2026. Post that, every entry is evaluated and goes through verification stage where the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) verifies claims against sources like Scopus, Web of Science, and patent databases post which the final ranking is released.
⚡ NIRF Methodology of Ranking of Management Institutions in India
Know why IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kozhikode, Calcutta always rank higher than any other top MBA college in India.
What is NIRF Ranking?
National Institutional Ranking Framework or the NIRF is a ranking frame work which aims to rate educational institutions for various streams on the basis of their performance on various parameters that define the basis of good education system in the country. The first ranking list was announced by the Ministry of Education in 2015.
Several private agencies have been ranking colleges for Management education before NIRF too. Since NIRF is a government agency which determines rankings based on research outputs, faculty, placement, infrastructures, it sort of acts as a stamp of approval to the ranking for management institutions to be free of bias. The top IIMs list can be checked through NIRF management category rank.
NIRF Ranking 2026 Management: Parameters and Weightage
To understand how NIRF MBA ranking 2026 will be done, it is important to understand the parameters on which the institutions are evaluated and why one institute scores more than another and vice versa. The NIRF ranking criteria for MBA colleges is based on below-mentioned parameters.
Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR)
The first parameter is Teaching, Learning & Resources, which carries 30 points. Under this parameter, the following are evaluated:
A. Student Strength including Doctoral Students (SS): 20 marks
B. Faculty-student ratio with emphasis on permanent faculty (FSR): 30 marks
C. Combined metric for Faculty with PhD (or equivalent) and Experience (FQE): 20 marks
D. Financial Resources and their Utilisation (FRU): 30 marks
Research and Professional Practice (RP)
The second parameter for MBA and IIMs NIRF ranking, Research and Professional Practice, also carries 30 points. Under this parameter, the following are evaluated:
A. Combined metric for publication: 40 marks
B. Combined metric for quality publication: 40 marks
C. Footprint of Projects, Professional Practice and Executive Development Programs: 20 marks
Graduation Outcomes (GO)
The third parameter for MBA and IIMs NIRF ranking, Graduation Outcome, carries 20 points. Under this parameter, the following are evaluated:
A. Combined metric for Placement and Higher Studies (GPH): 40 marks
B. Metric for University Examinations (GUE): 20 marks
C. Median Salary (GMS): 40 marks
Outreach and Inclusivity (OI)
The fourth parameter for MBA and IIMs NIRF ranking, Graduation Outcome, carries 10 points. Under this parameter, the following are evaluated:
A. Percentage of Students from Other States (Region Diversity RD): 30 marks
B. Percentage of Women (Women Diversity WD): 30 marks
C. Economically and Socially Challenged Students (ESCS): 20 marks
D. Facilities for Physically Challenged Students (PCS): 20 marks
Peer Perception (PP)
The fifth parameter for MBA and IIMs NIRF ranking, Peer Perception, carries 10 points. Under this parameter, the following are evaluated:
A. Peer Perception: Employers & Academic Peer (PR): 100 marks
IIM Rankings 2026: NIRF List
IIMs NIRF ranking 2026 list will be shared by Shiksha once it is released by the Ministry of Education. IIMs are the top B-Schools in India and they have managed to remain on top for decades, courtesy their most advance level education, infrastructure and strong placement cell. The IIMs enjoy best ROIs among top management institutions in India. The top IIMs such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta and IIM Kozhikode are also often ranked among top 100 B Schools in the world.
Also Read: List of IIMs: Ranking Courses, Seats and Fee Intake
Factors Which Might Influence NIRF IIM Ranking NIRF 2026
Although, the NIRF evaluates every entry on the above mentioned 5 main parameters, it introduces new methodology or new data points if there are changes in the education field. If the NIRF, introduces new parameters this year, it will be known with the release of the NIRF 2026 management ranking.
Previous Year IIM NIRF Ranking
In NIRF 2025, IIM Ahmedabad bagged No. 1 spot with a total score of 83.29 out of 100. In 2024 too, the institute was ranked No.1 with 83. 32 points. IIM Bangalore has been ranked No.2 in both 2024 and 2025. Similarly IIM Kozhikode has been ranked No.3 for both 2024 and 2025 in the NIRF management ranking.
IIMs NIRF Rankings 2025 and 2024
Every year, there’s a movement of ranks basis the scores achieved by IIMs on the main 5 parameters. Check the below table for a comparison of IIMs NIRF Rankings 2025 and 2024. IIM Guwahati, the newest campus which was established in 2025 is not a part of IIM NIRF rankings yet.
| IIM List |
IIM Rankings (NIRF MBA 2025) |
IIM Rankings (NIRF MBA 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
1 |
|
| 2 |
2 |
|
| 3 |
3 |
|
| 7 |
5 |
|
| 6 |
6 |
|
| 5 |
7 |
|
| 8 |
8 |
|
| 15 |
14 |
|
| 16 |
27 |
|
| 18 |
17 |
|
| 19 |
12 |
|
| 21 |
22 |
|
| 23 |
23 |
|
| 29 |
26 |
|
| 31 |
33 |
|
| 15 |
14 |
|
| 34 |
50 |
|
| 35 |
42 |
|
| 38 |
24 |
|
| 64 |
47 |
|
| 25 |
31 |
|
| 51 |
57 |
|
| Not Ranked |
Not Ranked |
Old IIMs vs New IIMs NIRF Ranking: A Comparison
Out of the 22 IIMs, the institutes are categorized into – Old IIMs, New IIMs and Baby IIMs. Old IIMs are those which were established between 1961 and 1996 and they dominate the top 20 of NIRF Management Rankings, every year. New IIMs are those which have been established between 2007 and 2011 and Baby IIMs are those which have been established after 2015.
| IIM List |
Category |
IIM Rankings (NIRF MBA 2025) |
IIM Rankings (NIRF MBA 2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad |
Old IIM |
1 |
1 |
| IIM Bangalore |
Old IIM |
2 |
2 |
| IIM Kozhikode |
Old IIM |
3 |
3 |
| IIM Calcutta |
Old IIM |
7 |
5 |
| IIM Mumbai |
Old IIM |
6 |
6 |
| IIM Lucknow |
Old IIM |
5 |
7 |
| IIM Indore |
Old IIM |
8 |
8 |
| IIM Raipur |
New IIM |
15 |
14 |
| IIM Trichy |
New IIM |
16 |
27 |
| IIM Ranchi |
New IIM |
18 |
17 |
| IIM Rohtak |
New IIM |
19 |
12 |
| IIM Udaipur |
New IIM |
21 |
22 |
| IIM Kashipur |
New IIM |
23 |
23 |
| IIM Raipur |
New IIM |
15 |
14 |
| IIM Shillong |
New IIM |
38 |
24 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam |
Baby IIM |
29 |
26 |
| IIM Bodh Gaya |
Baby IIM |
31 |
33 |
| IIM Sambalpur |
Baby IIM |
34 |
50 |
| IIM Jammu |
Baby IIM |
35 |
42 |
| IIM Amritsar |
Baby IIM |
64 |
47 |
| IIM Nagpur |
Baby IIM |
25 |
31 |
| IIM Sirmaur |
Baby IIM |
51 |
57 |
| IIM Guwahati |
Baby IIM |
Not Ranked |
Not Ranked |
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Top IIMs in India 2025 NIRF Ranking Analysis
NIRF Ranking: IIM Ahmedabad
As per the NIRF Management Rankings 2025, IIM Ahmedabad’s total score out of 100 was 83.32. Here’s how the it scored on the five parameters:
- TLR: 91.84 /100
- RP: 64.91/100
- GO: 98.72/100
- OI: 72.01/100
- PR: 93.26/100
NIRF Ranking: IIM Bangalore
IIM Bangalore’s total score out of 100 was 81.16 in the NIRF MBA ranking 2025. Here’s how the it scored on the five parameters:
- TLR: 90.08 /100
- RP: 56.71/100
- GO: 98.41/100
- OI: 74.54/100
- PR: 100/100
NIRF Ranking: IIM Kozhikode
IIM Kozhikode’s total score out of 100 was 77.90 in the NIRF MBA ranking 2025. Here’s how the it scored on the five parameters:
- TLR: 86.99 /100
- RP: 64.91/100
- GO: 98.72/100
- OI: 72.01/100
- PR: 93.26/100
NIRF Ranking: IIM Calcutta
IIM Calcutta’s total score out of 100 was 75.07 in the NIRF MBA ranking 2025. Here’s how the it scored on the five parameters:
- TLR: 83.67 /100
- RP: 48.10/100
- GO: 99.09/100
- OI: 70.46/100
- PR: 85.29/100
NIRF Ranking: IIM Mumbai
IIM Mumbai’s total score out of 100 was 74.43 in the NIRF MBA ranking 2025. Here’s how the it scored on the five parameters:
- TLR: 80.82 /100
- RP: 59.14/100
- GO: 99.41/100
- OI: 75.85/100
- PR: 52.82/100
NIRF Ranking: IIM Lucknow
IIM Lucknow’s total score out of 100 was 74.43 in the NIRF MBA ranking 2025. Here’s how the it scored on the five parameters:
- TLR: 84.25/100
- RP: 64.91/100
- GO: 49.09/100
- OI: 71.17/100
- PR: 79.81/100
NIRF Ranking: IIM Indore
IIM Indore’s total score out of 100 was 83.32 in the NIRF MBA ranking 2025. Here’s how the it scored on the five parameters:
- TLR: 84.80 /100
- RP: 55.27/100
- GO: 93.49/100
- OI: 72.37/100
- PR: 57.93/100
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
Read More:
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- IIM Bangalore got 100 in Perception; Know Why IIM Ahmedabad Won Rank 1 in NIRF 2025
- IIM Bangalore Tops FT Master in Management Ranking 2026; Ranked 25th in the World
Commonly asked questions
The total number of questions in the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section of CAT exam is 22 (as per CAT 2024 question paper). Earlier, the number of DILR questions was 20.
There is equal number of question distribution between Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, which means both sections have 11 questions each. The total marks for DILR is 66. The questions on Data Interpretation as based on Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, whereas Logical Reasoning questions are based on Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Caselets and Syllogism. This section of the CAT is usually moderate in terms of difficulty level and about 12-14 correct attempts are good enough to score high marks. Some of the other important topics include Series, Proposition, Direction Sense, Coding-Decoding, Assumptions, Clocks and Calendars, Statements, Binary Logic, Data Structures, Data Sufficiency and Data Arrangement. To score high in this section, candidates must practice a good number of practice tests and sectional mock tests. The better you learn to interpret given data and apply reasoning to a given situation, the better you get at solving related questions.
FIB is not important for CAT VARC as no direct questions are asked. However, it plays a role in VARC preparation and practice.
Commonly asked questions
CAT exam is held in about 170 cities across India. Candidates can choose up to six cities as their preferred test location. The list of test cities for CAT is available in application form. Candidates should choose the test city carefully as the request to change the test city later may or may not be accepted due to non-availability of seats at the centres in that particular city. Given below are the cities where CAT exam is usually held.
India's premiere b-schools accept CAT for MBA admissions. More than 2.5 lakh candidates fighting for limited seats at these institutes make the exam tough to crack.
The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT is the third and the last section of the question paper. It has 22 questions and the total marks is 66. This section of the CAT exam is usually dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra. Most of the questions out of 22 are asked from these two topics. There are about 7-9 Algebra questions and 7-9 Arithmetic questions (the exact number varied for all three slots). Apart from these two topics, there are questions from Mensuration Modern Math and Number System in the Quantitative Aptitude section CAT. Some of the important sub topics in this section include: Arithmetic topics: Ratio and Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss Mixtures and Allegations Averages, Percentages, Mean Median Mode, Time and Work, Time Speed and Distance Algebra topics: Basics Algebraic Formulae, Number of integer solutions, Quadratic Equations, Finding out roots, Maxima and Minimal, Higher Degree Equations, Linear Equations, Problems on ages, Descartes Rule of Signs, Inequalities, Logarithm, Functions, Modifications of Graphs, The smallest Value in a Maximum Function Number System topics: Finding Out Last Two Digits, Number of Trailing Zeroes, Finding out Remainders based on, Basic Divisibility Rules, Binomial Theorem, Simplifying the Dividend (Single and/or Multiple Divisors), Basics of Numbers, Properties of Numbers, Divisibility Rules, Divisibility and Factors, the highest Common Factor and the lowest Common Multiple, Finding Out the Last Digit, Fermat's Theorem, Euler's Theorem, Pattern Recognition and Cyclicity of Remainders, Wilson's Theorem, Base Systems, Conversion of Bases, Addition/Subtraction/ Multiplication in different bases Geometry Topics: Lines and Angles, Triangles Basic Concepts, Area, Angles, Similar Triangles Polygons, Circles, Solids / Mensuration 3D Geometry, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry Modern Math topics: Sequence and Series Binomial Theorem, Set Theory, Permutation and Combination, Probability.
CAT exam conducted only once a year in the month of November. It is conducted in three shifts on a single day.
Commonly asked questions
Algebra is an important part of CAT Quant section. OF 7-8 Algebra based questions, 1-2 questions are directly based on Quadratic Equation.
Yes, Mensuration is an important topic for CAT Quantitative Aptitude. If forms a good chunk of Geometry questions.
Yes, Venn diagrams are very important for the CAT exam, especially for DILR and Set Theory in Quant. It helps solve overlapping data sets, and save time in exam.
IBS conducts IBSAT exam in remote proctired mode. In this mode of examination, exam can be taken from preferrable place. Students must make sure to fulfil the exam day guidelines to appear for online test.
Commonly asked questions
Yes, Surds and Indices is a useful topic for strengthening numerical skills and solving questions from algebra and number systems.
Para Summary, PAra Completion and Odd Sentence Out are all distinct topics.
- Para Summary requires candidates to be able to decode the main idea of a passage into a single sentence.
- Para Completion requires candidates to find the logical concluding sentence that finishes a paragraph.
- Odd Sentence Out requires candidates to identify the sentence that does not fit the main theme.
All the three CAT question papers of 2025 session were moderate to tough in terms of difficulty level. The CAT 2025 slot 2 question paper was slightly tougher than slot 1 and 3.
Yes, understanding Parts of Speech helps candidates improve grammar, sentence correction, para completion and overall Verbal Ability skills.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Yes, Bahra University gives tuition fee waivers based on entrance exam scores. The commonly listed slabs look like this:
- JEE Main (rank): below 16,999 gets 40%, 17,000 to 29,999 gets 30%, 30,000 to 50,000 gets 20%, and above 50,000 gets 10%.
- NEET (score): 500 and above gets 40%, 400 to 499 gets 30%, 3
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 4 days ago
No, according to the estimated data, you would need a CAT cutoff of atleast 94 percentile to be qualified for final admission offer. Note that this percentile is not official and is only an estimate, since the institute does not release the cutoff publicly.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, you can join IIM Kashipur without CAT, depending on the desired programme. You can get admission to any of the offered courses except MBA. Check the list below to know which exam is accepted for which programme.
- Executive MBA (EMBA): GMAT, IIM Kashipur EMAT (Executive Management Aptitude Test).
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Candidates must maintain a dedicated formula sheet for properties of polygons, circle theorems, and mensuration formulas. Instead of memorising blindly, candidates must solve 15-20 problems for each sub-topic to understand how and when to apply each formula.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
It is technically possible to get 99 percentile in CAT Quants if a candidates obtains a perfect score in Arithmetic and Algebra. However, it can be highly risky as CAT exam often has Geometry questions aligned with Algebra or Coordinate systems. Sometimes candidates must know two different concepts
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
Triangles (properties, similarity, congruence, and theorems) is the most heavily tested sub-topic in CAT exam. Other high-yield areas include Circles (tangents, chords, and cyclic quadrilaterals), Mensuration (area and volume of 2D/3D shapes), and Coordinate Geometry.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
Geometry is a an important topic in the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section. Candidates can typically expect 3 to 5 questions out of the 22 total QA questions, making up roughly 15% to 20% of the section.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Candidates should first understand basic concepts, including divisibility rules, prime factorisation, HCF and LCM, and remainders. They should then solve topic-wise practice questions and previous years' CAT questions to improve accuracy and problem-solving speed.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
There is no fixed number of questions from the Number System in CAT. The number of questions varies across exam slots and years. Candidates should prepare the topic along with other important areas of Quantitative Aptitude.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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