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Are you wondering how many IIM in India there are? The journey of Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) began in 1961 with just two institutes IIM Calcutta and IIM Ahmedabad. Today, India boasts 21 IIMs spread across major cities, reflecting the growing demand for world-class business education. Over the decades, these premier B-schools have produced some of India’s most influential leaders, including Raghuram Rajan and Indira Nooyi.
IIMs offer various programs, including undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, executive, and business administration courses. Equipped with modern infrastructure, experienced faculty, and global collaborations, they provide students with excellent academic and research opportunities. Whether aspiring for an MBA or an executive program, understanding how many IIMs in India and their unique features helps management aspirants make informed decisions for a successful career.
Planning to get your postgraduate or executive degree from IIM? IIMs are the most coveted colleges for management aspirants in India. To secure admission, students must pass the CAT entrance exam, which is competitive due to limited seats. This blog will help you explore how many IIMs are in India, their locations, unique features, and what sets them apart.
IIM stands for Indian Institutes of Management. These autonomous institutions have a legacy of providing the best curriculum and growth environment in management studies. IIM is known for its global exposure and alumni success stories.
The history of the establishment of IIM dates back to the needs of a developing country like India after independence. The country’s economy was recovering from political upheavals, requiring managerial leaders to become growth drivers. To address the need for quality business education, the Indian government partnered with UNESCO and the Ford Foundation. They took inspiration from the prestigious management schools of the US and Europe.
In 1961, their combined efforts helped establish the first IIM in Calcutta. IIMC partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, to craft a course curriculum on par with global education. Soon, another IIM was established in Ahmedabad in the same year, following the IIMC template.
India is home to 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), among the most prestigious business schools in the country. The journey of IIMs began in 1961 with the establishment of IIM Calcutta and IIM Ahmedabad. Over the years, more were added to meet the growing demand for quality management education.
The IIMs are classified based on their year of establishment. The oldest IIMs are known as first-generation, while the newest are third-generation IIMs. These are:
The table below gives a list of IIMs in India with their year of establishment, location, and NIRF Ranking 2025:
| IIM Name | Year Estbd. | State/Location | NIRF MBA Ranking 2024 |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 1961 | Gujarat | 1 |
| IIM, Bangalore | 1973 | Karnataka | 2 |
| IIM, Calcutta | 1961 | West Bengal | 5 |
| IIM, Lucknow | 1984 | Uttar Pradesh (UP) | 7 |
| IIM, Indore | 1996 | Madhya Pradesh (MP) | 8 |
| IIM, Kozhikode | 1997 | Kerala | 3 |
| IIM, Shillong | 2008 | Meghalaya | 24 |
| IIM, Rohtak | 2010 | Haryana | 12 |
| IIM, Raipur | 2010 | Chattisgarh | 14 |
| IIM, Ranchi | 2010 | Jharkhand | 17 |
| IIM, Tiruchirappalli | 2011 | Trichy, Tamil Nadu (TN) | 27 |
| IIM, Kashipur | 2011 | Uttarakhand | 19 |
| IIM, Udaipur | 2011 | Rajasthan | 22 |
| IIM Amritsar | 2015 | Punjab | 47 |
| IIM, Bodh Gaya | 2015 | Bihar | 33 |
| IIM, Nagpur | 2015 | Maharashtra | 31 |
| IIM, Sambalpur | 2015 | Odisha | 50 |
| IIM, Sirmaur | 2015 | Himachal Pradesh (HP) | 57 |
| IIM, Visakhapatnam | 2015 | Andhra Pradesh | 26 |
| IIM, Jammu | 2016 | Jammu and Kashmir | 42 |
| IIM, Mumbai (NITIE, Mumbai) | 1963Name changed: 2023 | Maharashtra | 6 |
Some top-ranking IIM are IIM Calcutta, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Lucknow, and IIM Indore. The table below lists the top 10 IIM in India with their features:
| Name of Institute | Unique Features |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Oldest IIM; Top B-school ranked globally; vast alumni network |
| IIM Bangalore | Partners with international institutes and offers the best Student Exchange Programs |
| IIM Kozhikode | Known for its Management Development Programmes (MDP) and Faculty Development Programme (FDP) |
| IIM Calcutta | Oldest IIM offers the best finance programs, a vast alumnus network and a comprehensive curriculum |
| IIM Lucknow | First to set up the satellite campus for executive education in Noida; PGP in Sustainable Management and Working Managers’ Programme (WMP) |
| IIM Indore | 900-acre campus; five-year Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) |
| IIM Rohtak | Among the top 5 IIM for research with cutting-edge facilities, 200 acres of campus |
| IIM Raipur | Top ranking young IIM; Under the Government Engineering College Campus, Raipur |
| IIM Ranchi | satellite campus in National Institute for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Hyderabad; offers MBA in Business Analytics |
| IIM Kashipur | Among the top 5 IIM for research with cutting-edge facilities, 200 acres campus |
Admission to IIMs for the MBA/PGP program is based on the CAT score (GMAT for foreign candidates), followed by WAT, GD, and PI rounds. Shortlisted candidates must clear these stages to secure admission.
Around 2.93 lakh students appeared for IIM’s initial screening test (CAT) against the limited seats of 5,500. This makes the selection process and criteria competitive for students to crack. Let us discuss the IIM admission process in detail:
One of the IIM organises the CAT on a rotation basis every year. This screening exam tests the proficiency of the aspirants in language, mathematics, and reasoning. The CAT cut-off determines the eligibility of aspirants who can apply for the next rounds of the admission process.
After clearing the CAT cut-off, the shortlisted students appear for a Written Ability Test (WAT). They also appear for Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI), which test their communication abilities. The final list of the selected students is based on their combined scores of CAT, GD-PI, and WAT. It also includes a small weightage of school and graduation academic records and work experience. The table below gives the approximate weightage allotted by various IIM in India:
| Criteria | Weightage |
| CAT Score | 25-40% |
| Group Discussion(GD) and Personal Interview (PI) | 20-30% |
| Written Ability Test (WAT) | 5-10% |
| 10th and 12th Academic Records | 5-10% |
| Graduation Academic Records | 10-15% |
| Work Experience | 10-20% |
IIM follows government guidelines for reservations to the given categories:
IIM is considered one of the top B-schools worldwide for its academic excellence. Its courses are designed for fresh graduates and working professionals. Today, many IIMs, such as IIM Ahmedabad, Trichy, Kozhikode, etc., offer online courses in executive programs that help employees upskill.
IIM is known for its infrastructure, which includes smart classrooms and libraries with unlimited digital resources. Students live in comfortable hostels with sports facilities. The incubation cells mentor young entrepreneurs and provide funds to support them.
IIM marks a historical event shaping education in India’s management and business sectors. It offers world-class faculty and courses with the best infrastructure to help students emerge as confident leaders. Presently, there are 21 IIMs spread across the country’s major cities. Due to its competitive curriculum, it ranks as one of the best B-schools globally.
With limited seats, getting into an IIM involves passing an elaborate screening process. Aspirants must score in the high percentile in the CAT, WAT, and GD-PI exams. The right IIM can open doors to exceptional career opportunities for management students. In addition to knowing how many IIM in India, understand their unique features that suit you best. Consider your goals, preferred location, and program specialisations when choosing an IIM. Visit their websites, talk to alumni, and attend their orientation sessions. Start your MBA journey with IIM today!
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have played a transformative role in shaping India’s management education landscape. From IIM Calcutta and IIM Ahmedabad’s inception in 1961 to the current network of 21 premier institutes, IIMs have consistently set global benchmarks in teaching, research, and leadership development. These institutes offer diverse programs, from undergraduate and postgraduate management courses to executive and doctoral programs, catering to students and working professionals alike.
Admission to IIMs is highly competitive, requiring aspirants to clear the CAT exam, followed by WAT, GD, and PI rounds. Each IIM has unique strengths, world-class faculty, modern infrastructure, and strong alumni networks, ensuring students receive a holistic education and career opportunities. With limited seats and rigorous selection processes, IIMs remain the most coveted destination for management aspirants. Choosing the right IIM based on location, programs, and specialization can open doors to exceptional professional growth and global recognition.
IIMs are spread across 21 major cities in India. These 21 IIMs offer management education to 5,500 students each year. IIMs are classified into three categories–first, second, and third generation—depending on their year of establishment. They offer diverse programs and specialisations catering to the demands of students and industry.
IIM is the full form of Indian Institutes of Management. These esteemed B-schools are known for business education, research, and consultancy. IIM is established nationwide in cities like Calcutta, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Indore. It ranks best among global institutions in terms of management education.
IIM Lucknow is a beautiful campus that provides a holistic learning ecosystem for students. Its course curriculum, interactive assignments, and international partnerships set it apart from other IIM. IIML is the first IIM in India to establish a satellite-based campus in Noida. It has one of the best alumni networks and infrastructure in the country.
IIM Indore was established in 1996. It is located on a beautiful hillock in Indore, spread across 190 acres. This IIM offers 8 management programmes and is known for its 5-year IPM program, launched in 2011, and brought global recognition to IIM Indore.
IIM have devised an elaborate admission process to shortlist the best students in India. Aspirants appear for the CAT exam; the screening is based on the CAT percentile score. The following admission round includes a written ability test (WAT), GD, PI, academic records of school and graduation, and work experience.
IIM Ahmedabad is considered the No. 1 IIM in India, known for its world-class faculty, rigorous curriculum, and excellent placements. It consistently ranks at the top in national and international business school rankings.
IIMs and IITs serve different purposes—IITs excel in engineering and technology, while IIMs specialize in management and business education. If you want a career in management, an IIM is better; for engineering and technical fields, an IIT is the top choice.
In the 2024 placements, IIM Ahmedabad offered the highest salary package, reaching ₹1.46 crore per annum. This was the top offer among all IIMs during the recruitment season.
Authored by, Muskan Gupta
Content Curator
Muskan believes learning should feel like an adventure, not a chore. With years of experience in content creation and strategy, she specializes in educational topics, online earning opportunities, and general knowledge. She enjoys sharing her insights through blogs and articles that inform and inspire her readers. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her hopping between bookstores and bakeries, always in search of her next favorite read or treat.
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