IIM Ahmedabad & Bangalore Drop Out of QS Global Top 50 for Business Studies – What’s Behind the Decline?
Abhishek Patel
13/03/2025
Table of Contents
New Delhi, March 13, 2025 — In a surprising turn of events that’s sparked widespread debate in India’s academic and corporate circles, IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore — long considered the pinnacle of management education in India — have fallen out of the QS World University Rankings 2025 Top 50 list for Business and Management Studies. This marks a significant shift in the global standing of India’s most iconic B-schools.
The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, released earlier this week, saw no Indian management institution make it to the Top 50 in the highly competitive Business & Management category — a sharp contrast to previous years when IIM A and IIM B were consistently ranked in the mid-40s.
QS World Rankings 2025 – How India’s Top B-Schools Performed
| Institute | 2024 Rank | 2025 Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 44 | 51–100 | ⬇️ Dropped out of Top 50 |
| IIM Bangalore | 47 | 51–100 | ⬇️ Dropped out of Top 50 |
| IIM Calcutta | 51–100 | 51–100 | ➖ Stable |
| ISB Hyderabad | 76–100 | 76–100 | ➖ Stable |
Note: Rankings beyond the 50th position are grouped into bands like 51–100, 101–150, etc., without exact positions.
What Led to the Decline in Rankings?
While both IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore have maintained a stellar record in terms of placements, industry interface, and CAT competitiveness, the drop in QS rankings appears to be rooted in metrics that weigh international visibility and research performance.
According to QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the fall is mainly due to:
- Stagnant or declining international research impact (citations per faculty)
- Low percentage of international faculty and students
- Weaker employer reputation scores globally compared to elite U.S. and European schools
- Limited academic collaborations with top-tier international institutions
“Indian B-schools are doing great locally, but global rankings demand more than just excellent placements. They prioritize research productivity, internationalization, and long-term global brand building,” said an education consultant familiar with the QS methodology.
Global B-Schools Leading the Pack in 2025
While IIMs slipped in the rankings, traditional global powerhouses like Harvard Business School, INSEAD, London Business School, Wharton, and MIT Sloan continued to occupy the top 10 spots. These schools have vast research output, global alumni networks, and massive endowments that support high-impact innovation and entrepreneurship.
Despite Drop, IIMs Remain Regional Giants
It’s important to note that while IIM Ahmedabad and Bangalore dropped from the global Top 50, they continue to be the highest-ranked Indian business schools and are among Asia’s best.
Strengths that Remain Untouched:
- 100% placements with ₹30–55 LPA average salary
- Partnerships with companies like McKinsey, BCG, Amazon, Microsoft, and Goldman Sachs
- Strong national brand equity among recruiters and policymakers
- Rigorous academic pedagogy, case-based learning, and a vast alumni network
“International rankings are one thing, but the real-world performance of IIM grads speaks volumes. These institutes still produce some of the finest minds in the business world,” said an IIM alumnus currently working in Singapore.
Ranking Methodology – Why IIMs Lost Ground
| Metric | Weightage (%) | Areas of Concern for IIMs |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Reputation | 30% | Strong regionally, lower globally |
| Employer Reputation | 30% | Less recognition beyond Asia |
| Citations Per Faculty | 20% | Lower research paper impact |
| H-Index (Research Productivity) | 10% | Moderate compared to global peers |
| International Faculty/Students | 10% | Still very low |
IIMs still excel in regional reputation and graduate employability but need to invest heavily in research quality and international collaborations to climb the global ladder again.
Are Indian Students Losing Faith?
Despite the ranking slip, CAT 2024 saw record registrations, and the demand for IIMs remains higher than ever among Indian students. In fact, for most MBA aspirants, domestic placements and peer networks matter more than QS metrics.
However, for students aiming at international careers or higher education abroad, these rankings influence perceptions.
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FAQs – IIMs and QS Business Rankings 2025
Q1. Did IIM Ahmedabad and Bangalore fall in overall QS rankings too?
This ranking is subject-specific (Business & Management). Overall rankings are published separately, and subject performance influences perception.
Q2. Are placements at IIMs affected by this drop?
Not at all. Placements continue to be strong with top recruiters across domains like Consulting, Finance, and Product Management.
Q3. What can IIMs do to improve their global rankings?
Focus more on international research, student exchange programs, global faculty recruitment, and publishing in top peer-reviewed journals.
Q4. Should Indian students consider foreign B-schools over IIMs now?
That depends on your career goals and budget. IIMs still offer world-class ROI. But for global mobility, schools like INSEAD or LBS may offer more international exposure.
Q5. Which Indian B-school may enter Top 50 next?
ISB Hyderabad and IIM Calcutta are strong contenders with growing research output and global visibility.
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