Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Top Three Indian IIMs Slip in QS 2027 Rankings
QS published its 2027 list of the world’s leading full-time MBA programs.
The three Indian IIMs in the global top 100 all moved lower than in the previous ranking.
IIM Bangalore ranked 64th, IIM Ahmedabad ranked 70th, and IIM Calcutta ranked 95th.
IIM Bangalore remained the highest-ranked Indian school.
The schools performed much better on employability than in their overall rankings.
QS said Indian schools faced stronger competition in value for money, entrepreneurship, alumni outcomes and diversity.
India had 19 MBA entries, including five new institutions.
MIT Sloan was ranked the best MBA program worldwide.
One report described IIM Bangalore’s India-leading position as lasting four consecutive years, while another described it as five years.
IIM Bangalore fell to 64th from 52nd, remaining India’s highest-ranked MBA provider.
IIM Ahmedabad declined to 70th from 58th, while IIM Calcutta dropped to 95th from 64th.
All three IIMs remained among the QS global top 100 MBA programs.
India had 19 ranked MBA institutions, including five entering the rankings for the first time.
MIT Sloan ranked first globally, followed by Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business.
- Who
- QS evaluated MBA programs worldwide, including IIM Bangalore, IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta.
- What
- The QS Global Full-Time MBA Rankings 2027 placed the three leading Indian IIMs in the global top 100, but all fell from their previous positions.
- When
- The 2027 rankings were published with comparisons to the 2026 rankings.
- Where
- The ranking covered more than 420 MBA programs across 65 countries and territories, including India.
- Why
- QS said Indian business schools faced stronger competition from global peers in return on investment, entrepreneurship, alumni outcomes and diversity.
Areas of Strength
Areas of Concern
Employability and academic reputation
Areas of Strength
The three IIMs performed substantially better on employability than in their overall rankings; IIM Bangalore ranked 29th globally, while IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta ranked 35th and 39th.
Areas of Concern
Strong employability and academic reputation did not prevent all three institutions from falling in the overall ranking.
India’s global presence
Areas of Strength
India’s representation expanded to 19 MBA entries, with five new institutions joining the 2027 rankings.
Areas of Concern
Among 14 returning Indian entries, eight moved down to a lower rank or band, six retained their positions and none moved up.
Value for money
Areas of Strength
The published scores remain comparative ranking measures and do not directly represent percentage changes in graduates’ salaries or actual investment returns.
Areas of Concern
The value-for-money scores declined substantially for IIM Bangalore, IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta, contributing to concerns about their competitiveness.
- IIM Bangalore
- 64th globally, down from 52nd; ranked 29th globally for employability and second in Asia on that measure.
- IIM Ahmedabad
- 70th globally, down from 58th; ranked 84th globally for Entrepreneurship & Alumni Outcomes.
- IIM Calcutta
- 95th globally, down from 64th, the sharpest decline among the three.
- Indian MBA entries
- 19 institutions featured, compared with seven in 2022 and five in 2020; five were new entrants in 2027.
- Global top-ranked MBA
- MIT Sloan ranked first, followed by Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business.
- Ranking coverage
- More than 420 MBA programs across 65 countries and territories.
- Methodology
- Employability counted for 40%, value for money 20%, alumni outcomes and thought leadership 15% each, and diversity 10%.
- Reported discrepancy
- One report said IIM Bangalore had remained India’s number-one MBA provider for five years, while another said four consecutive years.
