Tier 1 colleges are the top and best MBA colleges in India. Management Institutions like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, XLRI, MDI Gurgaon etc. Are some of the MBA tier 1 colleges. Tier 1 B-Schools are excelling in Academic, Research, faculty, placement, international platforms, along with their alumni network. Here is a list of tier 1 colleges of India, their fees, placement, and shortlisting criteria.

BLACKI IIM Colleges 

The abbreviation BLACKI denotes to 

B – IIM Bangalore 

L – IIM Lucknow 

A – IIM Ahmedabad 

C – IIM Culcatta 

K – IIM Kozhikode 

I – IIM Indore 

Tier 1 MBA Colleges in India 

1. IIM Ahmedabad: IIM Ahmedabad is the oldest IIM. It is one of the most prestigious institutions in India. It was established by Dr Vikram Sarabhai.  IIM Ahmedabad is known for its placement, alumni networks, infrastructure, and top ROI. Here is the list of its recruiters, fees, and all the details you need to know. 

• Fees: INR 23 Lakhs which includes tuition fees of INR 16,99,000.

• Location: Vastrapur, Ahmedabad 

• NIRF Ranking: 1 

• Shortlisting Criteria: CAT (65% weight), Class 10/12 marks (max 10 points each for >85% scores), gender diversity (5 points for females), and academic discipline rating (AC-1 to AC-6 categories like medicine, engineering, arts). 

• Flagship Program: 2-year full time Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP) 

• Exclusive program for working professional: Executive Education program (EPG/EPGP) 

• Other Courses: PGP-FABM (Post Graduate Program in Food and Agri-business Management), PGDM/PDGHRM (Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management), PGPPM (Post Graduate Program in Public Policy and Management). 

• Top Recruiters (Sector Wise): IIM Ahmedabad is known for its high placements in each sector, here are some sectors and its recruiters at IIMA in 2025 

• Package:  

2. IIM Bangalore: IIM Bangalore is one of the colleges on the BLACKI list. IIM Bangalore (IIMB), established in 1973, stands as one of India’s elite B-Schools and part of the prestigious IIM trio (A-B-C). Located in Bangalore’s tech hub IIMB blends rigorous academics with innovation through its flagship PGP (MBA), executive programs, and NSRCEL incubator—India’s top startup nurturer.  

• Location: Bilekahalli, Bengaluru 

• Fees: INR 26.30 Lakhs 

• NIRF Ranking: 2 

• Shortlisting Criteria: CAT (60%), academics (Class 10/12/Graduation up to 15% total), work experience (10%), and gender diversity (5%) 

• Flagship Program: Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP) 

• Excusive Program: NCRCEL (Incubation Center for startup and entrepreneur),  

• Other Courses: MBA (BA) (MBA in Business Analytics), Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy), BSc in Economics & Data Science (UG) 

• Top Recruiters (Sector wise): Here is the list of recruitments at IIMB in 2025 

• Package 

3. IIM Culcatta: IIM Calcutta (IIMC), founded in 1961 as India’s first IIM, pioneered management education in collaboration with MIT Sloan and the Ford Foundation. Located in Kolkata’s Joka area, IIMC fosters innovation through its flagship PGP (MBA), MBA Ex, and doctoral programs, plus cutting-edge centers like the Case Research Centre.  

• Location: Joka, West Bengal 

• Fees: INR 27 Lakhs 

• NIRF Ranking: 7 

• Shortlisting Criteria: CAT (56% weight), Class 10 (10%), Class 12 (15%), gender diversity (4%), and sectional minima 

• Flagship Program: MBA, SMP (Senior Management Program),  

• Exclusive Program: Executive Programme in Leadership & Management (EPLM) 

• Other Courses: Executive Program in General Management (EPGM) and the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).  

• Top Recruiters (Sector Wise): Here is the list of recruitments at IIMB in 2025 

• Package 

4. IIM Lucknow: IIM Lucknow (IIML), established in 1984, is the fourth oldest IIM and a premier public business school. Located in Uttar Pradesh, IIM Lucknow is fostering a vibrant learning ecosystem. AACSB-accredited with a strong alumni network, IIML drives industry impact through research and thought leadership, aligning well with top recruiters in consulting, banking, and FMCG sectors. 

• Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 

• Fees: INR 20.75 Lakhs 

• NIRF Ranking: 5 

• Shortlisting Criteria: CAT 60%, Class 12 10%, graduation 10%, work experience 10%, academic diversity 5% (non-engineers), gender diversity 5%. 

• Flagship Program: Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP/MBA), Post Graduate Programme in Agribusiness Management (PGP-ABM), Post Graduate Programme in Sustainable Management (PGP-SM) 

• Excusive Program: International Programme in Management for Executives (IPMX), Post Graduate Programme for Working Executives (PGPWE / WMP), Executive General Management Programme (EGMP) 

• Other Courses: Blended MBA (b MBA), Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM), Doctoral Programme in Management (DPM/PhD), Defence Management Programme (GMPe) 

• Top Recruiters (Sector Wise): Here is the list of recruitments at IIML in 2025 

• Package: 

5. IIM Kozhikode: IIM Kozhikode (IIMK) stands as a leading management institute in India, celebrated for its innovative approach and scenic hilltop setting. Established in 1996 as the fifth IIM through collaboration between the Government of India and Kerala Government. Triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS) and ranked among India’s top B-schools, it shapes business leaders who excel in diverse sectors.  

• Location: Kunnamangalam, Kerala 

• Fees: INR 21-25 Lakhs 

• NIRF Ranking: 3 

• Shortlisting Criteria: CAT (50-60%), Class 10/12 performance (20-30%), work experience (5%), gender/academic diversity (10%) 

• Flagship Program: Post Graduate Program (PGP), Post Graduate Program in Finance (PGP – Finance) & Liberal Studies & Management (PGP – LSM) 

• Exclusive Program: Business Leadership (PGP – BL), Executive Post Graduate Program (EPGP) 

• Other Courses: Advanced Strategic Management, Executive Education 

• Top Recruiters (Sector Wise): Here is the list of recruitments at IIM K in 2025 

• Package 

6. IIM Indore: IIM Indore Established in 1996, is the sixth IIM. Triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) and an institute of national importance, it cultivates leaders fitting recruiters. it promotes ethical leadership and global competitiveness in a serene, modern setting.  

• Location: Rau – Pithampur Rd, Indore, Madhya Pradesh   

• Fees: 18-35 Lakhs 

• NIRF Ranking: 8 

• Shortlisting Criteria: CAT overall contributes 35%, while Class 10 marks account for 39%, Class 12 marks add 20%, and finally, gender/academic diversity factors in 6%.

• Flagship Program: Post Graduate Program (PGP), Integrated Program Management (IPM) 

• Exclusive Program: Executive Post Graduate Program (EPGP) 

• Other Courses: PGPMX, Doctoral Program in Management (DPM/FPM), Executive Doctoral Program in Management (EDPM), Executive Education. 

• Top Recruiters (Sector Wise): Here is the list of recruitments at IIM I in 2025 

• Package: 

7. IIM Mumbai: IIM Mumbai is on of the top tier 1 B-School of India. Previously known as NITIE, IIM Mumbai has been a new addition to the IIMs. Like other IIMs, it has a world-class infrastructure, skilled faculty, and global opportunities. It has a consistent record of high placements. 

• Location: Powai, a suburban area in the northeastern part of Mumbai, Maharashtra 

• Fees: 18-19 Lakhs 

• NIRF Ranking: 6 

• Shortlisting Criteria: CAT cutoffs (General: 85 overall/75 sectional; NC-OBC: 75/65; SC: 70/60; ST: 65/55; PwD: 55/45) 

• Flagship Program: MBA (Operations and Supply Chain Management), MBA (Sustainability Management),  

• Exclusive Program: MBA-PGPEx , MBA-PGPM 

• Other Courses: MBA (Sustainability Management – SM), Visionary Leadership for Manufacturing (PGPEx-VLFM), Post Graduate Diploma in Public Policy Management, Undergraduate Program (Upcoming) 

• Top Recruiters (Sector Wise): Here is the list of recruitments at IIM M in 2024   

• Package: 

8. IIM Shilong: IIM Shillong has 300+ recruiters and majorly focuses on industry-related skills. This institute promotes sustainable development through various programs, which is the future. IIM Shillong and the government of Meghalaya signed an MOU to start joint initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration for societal impact.  

• Location: Nongthymmai, Shillong 

• Fees: 26.18 Lakhs 

• NIRF Ranking: 38 

• Shortlisting Criteria: 65% CAT total percentile + 35% Normalized ARS (NARS), where ARS = Class X (up to 10) + Class XII (up to 10) + Graduation (up to 10) + Work ex (up to 14). 

• Flagship Program: Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP) 

• Exclusive Program: PGPEx, PGPWE (Working Executives) 

• Other Courses: Integrated Program in Management (IPM), Fellow Program in Management (FPM), e-Post Graduate Program (ePGP) 

• Top Recruiters (Sector Wise): Here is the list of recruitments at IIM S in 2025   

• Package: 

9. Department of Management Studies – IIT Delhi: IIT Delhi provides a strong foundation for research and innovation. Moreover, its focus on academic excellence seamlessly combines technology with these efforts. IIT Delhi has strong connections to leading MNCs and provides valuable internships. It also has programs like an MBA in Telecom Management. 

• Location: Hauz Khas, New Delhi 

• Fees: 12 Lakhs 

• NIRF Ranking: 2 

• Shortlisting Criteria: CAT overall (60%), Class 10 (7%), Class 12 (7%), Bachelor’s (7%), work experience (7%), gender diversity (6%), technical institute grad (6%). Expected CAT cutoff – 95 overall for General. 

• Flagship Program: MBA 

• Exclusive Program: Executive MBA 

• Other Courses: MBA Iin Telecom, Doctoral Program (PhD) 

• Top Recruiters (Sector Wise): Here is the list of recruitments at IIT Delhi 2025 

• Package: 

10. Faculty Of Management Studies (FMS Delhi): FMS Delhi delivers the best ROI on an MBA in India. It comes under the University of Delhi, and the fees of this institute are around 2 Lakh. It has the lowest fees for an MBA among all other Tier 1 MBA colleges in India. FMS mainly pays attention to the practical part and works on skill enhancement. 

• Location: Delhi School Of Economics, University Enclave, Delhi 

• Fees: 2.32-2.43 Lakhs 

• Shortlisting Criteria: Expected CAT cutoff 98-99 overall for General (90+ sectional), Points from Class 10 (10 marks), Class 12 (10 marks), Graduation (25 marks), plus SOP/Extempore/PI, Females receive +5 marks 

• Flagship Program: MBA 

• Exclusive Program: Executive MBA (Evening) Program 

• Other Courses: MBA in Health Care Administration (MBA-HCA), doctoral (PhD) programs 

• Top Recruiters (Sector Wise): Here is the list of recruitments at FMS Delhi 2025   

• Package: 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Tier 1 MBA colleges in India—government giants like IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, and Lucknow, along with newer IIMs, as well as private stalwarts such as SPJIMR, XLRI, and MDI—stand as gateways to elite careers in consulting, banking, FMCG, and tech, where average packages soar past ₹30 LPA and alumni networks open global doors.

Moreover, government IIMs edge out competitors with unmatched prestige and superior ROI at lower fees (₹20-25 lakhs), yet they demand 99+ CAT percentiles. In contrast, private institutes offer flexible XAT/GMAT entry, innovative curricula, and stellar diversity weightage for well-rounded profiles. There are some baby IIMs & other B-schools which are known as Tier 2 MBA Colleges and Tier 3 B-Schools. Ready to crack the CAT 2026 and secure your IIM call? Join Route99 CAT Coaching for personalised mentoring, proven strategies & strong results. Transform your MBA dreams into reality!