On September 4, the Union ministry of education released the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings for management schools across the country. The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad secured the top rank for the sixth consecutive year, followed by IIM Bangalore (second), IIM Kozhikode (third), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi (fourth) and IIM Lucknow (fifth).
IIM Ahmedabad has consistently held the top spot since 2020 while IIM Bangalore and IIM Kozhikode have largely maintained their positions in the top three, with occasional swaps. IIM Calcutta, however, has seen a notable decline, dropping from third (2016-2022) to fifth in 2024 and now seventh. IIM Lucknow’s climb from seventh in 2024 to fifth in 2025 marks a significant upward shift, reflecting its growing prominence.
The NIRF rankings evaluate institutions on five key parameters: teaching, learning and resources (TLR, 30 per cent); research and professional practice (RP, 30 per cent); graduation outcomes (GO, 20 per cent); outreach and inclusivity (OI, 10 per cent); and perception (PR, 10 per cent). These parameters assess academic quality, research output, employability, diversity and institutional reputation. The 2025 rankings introduced negative marking for retracted research papers and a new sustainability category, adding complexity to the evaluation process.
IIM Ahmedabad excels in TLR and PR, leveraging its robust faculty, infrastructure and global reputation. Its consistent top rank stems from strong alumni networks, high-quality teaching and placement records averaging Rs 31 lakh per annum (LPA). IIM Bangalore shines in GO and RP, driven by stellar placement outcomes (Rs 33 LPA average) and industry-aligned research.
IIM Kozhikode scores high in OI, with notable gender diversity and digital learning initiatives while IIM Lucknow’s rise is fuelled by improvements in RP and GO, reflecting enhanced research output and placement success. IIM Calcutta, despite strengths in finance and analytics, saw a dip in PR and RP, possibly due to weaker perception and research metrics.
IIM Mumbai (sixth) performs well in GO, excelling in operations and supply chain placements, while IIM Indore (eighth) maintains balance across TLR and GO. IIM Ranchi (17th) and IIM Sambalpur (34th) show progress in TLR and OI, with the latter jumping 16 ranks due to teaching and inclusivity gains. Conversely, IIM Udaipur (22nd) and IIM Trichy (27th) slipped, with declines in RP and PR.
The top rankers’ success is rooted in their ability to align with NIRF’s multifaceted criteria. IIM Ahmedabad’s global accreditation and research output, coupled with a strong employer perception, cement its leadership. IIM Bangalore’s industry collaborations and consistent placement records bolster its position while IIM Kozhikode’s focus on inclusivity and innovative pedagogy secures its rank. IIM Lucknow’s climb reflects strategic improvements in curriculum and research, aligning with industry needs. IIT Delhi’s non-IIM presence in the top five highlights its strength in interdisciplinary management education.
Over the years, IIMs have experienced dynamic rank shifts. IIM Ranchi’s jump from 24th (2023) to 17th (2024) and IIM Sambalpur’s rise reflect investments in faculty, infrastructure and outreach. IIM Nagpur (31st) and IIM Bodh Gaya (33rd) also improved significantly in 2024, driven by better GO and OI scores.
However, IIM Calcutta’s decline to seventh rank, IIM Udaipur’s drop to 22nd and IIM Trichy’s fall to 27th signal challenges. IIM Calcutta’s slip may stem from reduced research impact and peer perception while IIM Udaipur and IIM Trichy struggled with weaker research output and inclusivity metrics. The NIRF’s emphasis on verifiable data and new parameters like sustainability possibly intensified these shifts, rewarding institutions with holistic excellence while penalising lapses in research integrity or outreach.
As the NIRF framework evolves, IIMs must balance academic rigour, inclusivity and industry relevance to maintain or improve their standings. The 2025 rankings underscore the competitive landscape, with the older IIMs holding strong but newer ones rapidly closing the gap.
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