The Indian School of Business (ISB) emerged as India's premier management institution, securing the top position nationally for a fourth year in a row. Globally, ISB climbed to the 31st spot, marking a notable advancement from its previous standing at 39th.
Indian Institutes of Management, including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, and Lucknow were also included in the 2024 FT MBA ranking, as was XLRI—Xavier School of Management.
Many of the Indian business schools in this year's list saw their positions rise when compared with last year. So, which of them make the list of the five top colleges for an MBA in India according to the FT?
Here's a breakdown of this year's list.
Top Colleges For An MBA In India: FT Ranking
5. Indian Institute of Management Lucknow | FT Rank: 85
Indian Institute of Management Lucknow holds the 85th Rank in the FT Global MBA Ranking. For the batch of 2021-23, IIM Lucknow secured 100% placements.
A total of 632 offers were extended to 556 students, encompassing a diverse array of roles in consulting, finance, general management, IT & analytics, sales and marketing, operations, and retail e-commerce. The placements at IIM Lucknow featured opportunities from leading global recruiters.
Setting new benchmarks, the institute achieved its highest-ever average and median annual Cost to Company (CTC) figures, reaching Rs. 32.23 lakh and Rs. 30 lakh, respectively. Both domestic and international CTC packages attained remarkable figures, underscoring the quality of placements and the caliber of students at IIM Lucknow.
The remarkable accomplishment of achieving 100% placements for the batch of 2021-23 at IIM Lucknow was made possible through the active participation of over 200 recruiters in the final placement process.
READ: What’s The Cost Of An MBA In India In 2023?
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4. Indian Institute of Management Calcutta | FT rank: 67
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta claimed the 67th rank in this year's FT MBA ranking, cementing its position as one of the top colleges for an MBA in India. IIM Calcutta rose from 76th position last year.
IIM Calcutta offers a diverse array of postgraduate programs tailored to meet the needs of aspiring business professionals and executives, including an MBA and an MBA for executives.
The final placement report for the 58th batch of IIM Calcutta MBAs showcases an exceptional 100% placement rate, demonstrating the institute's strong industry ties and the caliber of its students.
A total of 190 reputable firms actively participated in the placement process, extending a commendable 573 offers to the 465 students comprising the 58th Batch. With a gender ratio of 68:32, the batch displayed diversity and inclusivity.
Students received offers from leading investment banks and private equity firms, including Avendus Capital, Citi Bank, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Standard Chartered, among others.
In the consulting domain, Accenture Strategy, Bain & Co., Boston Consulting Group, Ernst and Young, Mastercard, and McKinsey & Co. emerged as prominent recruiters, underscoring the institute's reputation and the quality of its talent pool.
3. Indian Institute of Management Bangalore | FT rank: 47
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore achieved 47th rank in the FT Global MBA Ranking for 2024, rising from the 52nd spot previously.
For admissions to its postgraduate courses, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore accepts CAT, GMAT, and GRE scores from prospective candidates. Among its offerings, the Post Graduate Program (PGP) stands as the most sought-after two-year degree program offered by the college.
In the latest placement report of IIM Bangalore, a total of 512 students participated, garnering an impressive tally of 606 job offers from 164 companies. Among these, 291 pre-placement offers were extended, with 209 students opting to accept them. Additionally, 94 lateral placement offers were made, out of which 82 were accepted.
Notably, the report also highlights the receipt of 14 overseas offers. During the final placement week, 221 offers were extended to students.
An important indicator of the success of a placement drive is the average salary package, which stood at INR 35.31 LPA for the IIM Bangalore graduating batch. This figure reflects the competitive market demand and the strong positioning of the institute's graduates in the corporate sector.
2. Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad | FT rank: 41
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad achieved 41st rank globally and second rank in India.
The premier offering at the institution, the two-year Post-graduate Program in Management (PGP), stands out as the most sought-after program at the school. Prospective candidates vying for admission are required to present a valid CAT or GMAT score.
Cluster three of IIM Ahmedabad's final placement process for the PGP class of 2024 witnessed the active participation of prominent recruiters such as Tata Steel, NPCI, Jio Financial Services, Newgen Software Tech, Javis, BNP Paribas, Axis Bank, and S&P Global.
Cluster three comprised firms across eight cohorts, encompassing banking and financial services, analytics and IT consulting, core manufacturing and infrastructure, renewable energy and greentech, government enterprises, enterprise tech, fintech, and logistics.
Notably, this year's placement drive saw the addition of several new recruiters across various cohorts, including Waree and Jio Financial Services, reflecting the evolving landscape of recruitment opportunities at the institute.
1. Indian School of Business | FT rank: 31
In 2024, the Indian School of Business secured the prestigious title of the 'Top Business School in India' and achieved the 31st position globally, up from 39th last year. Additionally, at the Asia level, the school ascended to the fifth position, an improvement from its sixth spot last year.
Significantly, over 14% of the offers extended to ISB students were for leadership and general management roles.
Located in Hyderabad, the Indian School of Business provides a range of programs, including its flagship Post Graduate Program in Management, among others. Established in 2001, ISB stands as a beacon of research-driven excellence in the realm of business education.
Aspiring candidates seeking admission to ISB are required to present a valid GMAT/GRE score, ensuring a competitive selection process for entry into this esteemed institution.
Notably, ISB has garnered accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA), a recognition that places it among an elite group of business schools globally. ISB has also achieved the distinguished 'triple crown' of accreditations from AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB, making it the 100th school worldwide to attain this prestigious distinction.
