A milestone for Indian business education
The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the highest-ranked Indian business school in the Financial Times Masters in Management (MiM) Rankings 2025, securing the 28th position globally. This places the institution among the world’s elite management schools, signaling India’s growing influence in global business education.
India had 11 schools featured in this year’s ranking, with IIM Ahmedabad placed 34th. While several Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) continue to gain international recognition, Bangalore’s leap into the top 30 represents a significant step for the country’s academic reputation.
Career outcomes and return on investment
Graduate employability is one of the strongest indicators in the FT ranking, and IIM Bangalore excelled in this dimension. Alumni reported a 47% salary increase after graduation—the highest among India’s leading institutions. In addition, the weighted average salary reached $173,707, ranking second nationally.
For prospective students, these figures underscore the school’s ability to provide a strong return on investment, preparing graduates for careers in consulting, finance, technology, and global management roles.
Professor U Dinesh Kumar, the acting director, emphasized that the achievement reflects the school’s commitment to delivering transformative education that equips students for long-term impact in society and business.
Sustainability as a competitive advantage
One of the most remarkable improvements for IIM Bangalore was its performance in the carbon footprint ranking, where it rose dramatically from 73rd to 13th place worldwide. The improvement is linked to the institution’s ambitious sustainability agenda, including carbon neutrality initiatives and a stronger focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) content in its curriculum.
This progress highlights how business schools are increasingly evaluated not only on academic and career metrics but also on their ability to integrate sustainability into management education.
Diversity and internationalization
Diversity has also been a decisive factor in IIM Bangalore’s rise. The proportion of female students increased from 33% to 40%, while female faculty rose to 25%. The share of women on the governing board climbed from 30% to 40%, reflecting the institution’s emphasis on inclusion at all levels.
The school has also expanded its international student intake, enriching classroom perspectives and fostering cross-cultural collaboration. According to Dean Mukta Kulkarni, this focus on inclusivity and global exposure has been instrumental in enhancing the school’s international standing.
India’s growing role in global education
The FT ranking remains dominated by European institutions such as HEC Paris, St. Gallen in Switzerland, and ESCP Business School. However, India’s expanding presence—with multiple IIMs consistently listed—signals the country’s emergence as a hub for management education.
India’s strengths lie in:
- A large talent pool seeking international careers.
- Proximity to dynamic technology and finance industries.
- Ongoing institutional reforms aligning curricula with global standards.
IIM Bangalore’s success demonstrates how Indian institutions are positioning themselves as global competitors, capable of meeting international benchmarks in academic quality, sustainability, and graduate employability.
Looking ahead
The challenge for IIM Bangalore and its peers will be to sustain this momentum. Competing with long-established European and American business schools requires expanding research capacity, building stronger global partnerships, and adapting to rapid changes in digital transformation and business innovation.
Yet the trajectory is clear: India’s business schools are no longer regional players but increasingly shaping the global landscape of management education.
Global recognition for a new generation of leaders
IIM Bangalore’s rise to 28th place in the FT Masters in Management 2025 not only cements its leadership in India but also signals a broader shift in the geography of business education. By prioritizing employability, sustainability, and diversity, the institution is preparing a new generation of leaders capable of navigating global challenges.
In a competitive international arena, IIM Bangalore stands as evidence that excellence in management education can come from beyond the traditional Western strongholds, redefining what it means to succeed in the 21st century.
Source: The Economic Times
Comentarios