Popular MBA Colleges in India 2026
The popular MBA colleges in India in 2026 are the older IIMs, XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR, SIBM and NMIMS. At IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Lucknow, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta, the Class of 2026 median package is Rs 32.5 to 35 lakh. The popular colleges charge about Rs 21 lakh to Rs 31 lakh in fee for two years. This page shows what each college costs, what its students earn, and who it suits.
Rs 32.5 to 35 lakh
Median package at IIMA, IIML, IIMB and IIMC
Class of 2026
About Rs 21 to 31 lakh
Two-year fee at the popular colleges
Latest published batch
29 November 2026
CAT 2026 exam date
Sunday
Which Are the Most Popular MBA Colleges in India in 2026?
Students shortlist eight colleges most often: IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore, MDI Gurgaon and XLRI Jamshedpur. The table gives the NIRF 2025 rank and the exam for each. NIRF 2025 is the latest edition, and NIRF has not published the 2026 list yet.
College NIRF Management 2025 Entrance exam IIM Ahmedabad 1 CAT IIM Bangalore 2 CAT IIM Kozhikode 3 CAT IIM Lucknow 5 CAT IIM Calcutta 7 CAT IIM Indore 8 CAT MDI Gurgaon 9 CAT XLRI Jamshedpur 10 XAT SIBM Pune 11 SNAP SPJIMR Mumbai 20 Check the official admission page NMIMS Mumbai 24 NMAT by GMAC
Read the top MBA colleges in India 2026 page to see how NIRF, Outlook-ICARE, Business Today-MDRA, FT and QS rank these colleges.
What Do the Popular MBA Colleges Cost and Pay in 2026?
IIM Lucknow is the cheapest of the popular colleges, at about Rs 20.75 lakh. XLRI Jamshedpur is the costliest, at about Rs 30.6 lakh. The table sets each fee against the median package of the latest placed batch. The batches differ, so read the notes below the table.
College Two-year fee (about) Median package IIM Lucknow Rs 20.75 lakh (2026-28) Rs 32.9 lakh (2026) IIM Kozhikode Rs 23.5 lakh (2026-28) Rs 27.5 lakh (2025) IIM Indore Rs 24.1 lakh (2026-28) Rs 25 lakh (2026) IIM Bangalore Rs 26 lakh (2026-28) Rs 34.75 lakh (2026) MDI Gurgaon Rs 26.55 lakh (2027-29) Rs 29 lakh (2024-26) IIM Ahmedabad Rs 27.5 lakh (2025-27) Rs 32.5 lakh (2026) XLRI Jamshedpur Rs 30.6 lakh (2027) Rs 29 lakh (2024-26) IIM Calcutta Rs 25 to 27 lakh (2024-26) Rs 35 lakh (2026)
Packages are before tax. Fees can change before the 2027 intake, and several colleges have not yet published the 2027-29 fee. Fee for XLRI excludes hostel and mess. IIM Calcutta shows two fee figures, so ask the admissions office for the final amount.
Which popular MBA college gives the best return on fee?
IIM Lucknow gives the best fee-to-median ratio of the colleges above. Its fee is about 63% of one year's median package. IIM Bangalore is at about 75%, and IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Kozhikode are both near 85%.
The ratio is higher at the other end. MDI Gurgaon is at about 92% and IIM Indore is at about 96%. XLRI Jamshedpur is above 100%. These are rough ratios, because the fee and the package come from different batches.
Did the IIM Indore median package fall in 2026?
Yes, the IIM Indore PGP median package fell from Rs 27 lakh for the Class of 2025 to Rs 25 lakh for the Class of 2026. The average also fell, from about Rs 29.57 lakh to about Rs 27.27 lakh. The course fee is about Rs 24.1 lakh, as listed on the IIM Indore fees page. Check the latest placement report before you plan a loan.
Is the XLRI median package audited?
The latest XLRI figures on the page are not audited yet. XLRI reports a median of Rs 29 lakh and an average of about Rs 31.4 lakh for the 2024-26 batch. An audit dated 16 March 2026 for the 2023-25 batch shows a median of Rs 24 lakh in total guaranteed cash. Compare it only with audited figures from other colleges. See the XLRI Jamshedpur placements page for both.
Which Popular MBA College Suits Your CAT Percentile?
Your CAT percentile decides which popular MBA colleges in India you can apply to. These are the shortlisting cutoffs published for each college. They differ by category and by year, and they only get you the interview call.
IIM Ahmedabad shortlists General and EWS candidates from 95 overall and 85 in each section. IIM Lucknow asks for 90 overall and 85 in each section. See the IIM Ahmedabad cut-offs before you apply.
Who Each Popular MBA College Suits, and Who Should Check Twice
Each college has one honest limit to know before you apply. The points below come from the latest data on each college page.
IIM Ahmedabad
Suits you if your CAT percentile is above 95 and you want the strongest placement record. In the Class of 2026, 392 of 392 students were placed, with a median package of Rs 32.5 lakh. Check twice because the 2026-28 fee is not yet published in rupees. The 2025-27 PGP fee is Rs 27.5 lakh. See the IIM Ahmedabad fees page.
IIM Bangalore
Suits you if you want a high median package and a metro campus. The Class of 2026 median is Rs 34.75 lakh, from 665 offers for 605 students. Check twice if you cannot afford the Rs 26 lakh fee and do not qualify for need-based aid. IIM Bangalore does not publish a highest package.
IIM Calcutta
Suits you if you want the highest median in this list. The Class of 2026 median is Rs 35 lakh, with 100% of 458 students placed. Check twice because the fee for the next batch is not on the institute site yet. Ask the admissions office at mbaadmissions@iimcal.ac.in.
IIM Lucknow
Suits you if you want a high median at the lowest fee in this list. The Class of 2026 median is Rs 32.9 lakh and the fee is Rs 20.75 lakh. Check twice if you aim at sales, marketing or operations. See the IIM Lucknow placements page.
IIM Kozhikode
Suits you if you want an IIM and are fine with a campus outside a metro city. Check twice if you want a metro campus, because IIM Kozhikode is a long drive from the city. The latest median on the page is Rs 27.5 lakh for the 2023-25 batch.
IIM Indore
Suits you if you want an older IIM at a mid-range fee. Check twice because the median fell to Rs 25 lakh in 2026 from Rs 27 lakh in 2025. IIM Indore also runs a five-year integrated programme through IPMAT, which is a separate route.
MDI Gurgaon
Suits you if you want a Delhi NCR campus with CAT-based admission. The PGDM fee is Rs 26.55 lakh for the 2027-29 batch, against a median of Rs 29 lakh for the 2024-26 batch. Check twice because the fee is close to one year of median package.
XLRI Jamshedpur
Suits you if you want to study HR or business management and have a good XAT score. Check twice because the fee is about Rs 30.6 lakh, which is above the reported median of Rs 29 lakh. Check the audit status of the placement figure before you plan a loan.
Popular MBA Colleges Outside the IIMs
SPJIMR Mumbai, SIBM Pune, NMIMS Mumbai and IIFT New Delhi are the popular non-IIM options in the NIRF 2025 top 25. IIT Delhi's management department is 4th in NIRF 2025. Each takes a different exam, so check the admission page of the college before you register.
🏫NIRF 20SPJIMR MumbaiNIRF 2025 rank 20. Check the official admission page for the accepted exams.🏫NIRF 11SIBM PuneNIRF 2025 rank 11. Admission is through SNAP.🏫NIRF 24NMIMS MumbaiNIRF 2025 rank 24. Admission is through NMAT by GMAC.🏫NIRF 17IIFT New DelhiNIRF 2025 rank 17. Check the official admission page for the exam.
CAT 2026 Dates for the Popular MBA Colleges in India
CAT 2026 is on Sunday, 29 November 2026, and IIM Indore conducts it for all 22 participating IIMs. Registration closed on 22 September 2026. Admit card download opens on 4 November 2026. The official site is iimcat.ac.in.
22 September 2026
CAT 2026 registration closed
The last date was extended from 15 September 2026.
4 November 2026
Admit card download opens
The link stays open until the exam day.
29 November 2026
CAT 2026 exam
Held in three sessions on Sunday.
FAQs on Popular MBA Colleges in India 2026
Which are the most popular MBA colleges in India in 2026?
The most popular MBA colleges in India in 2026 are IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore, MDI Gurgaon and XLRI Jamshedpur. SPJIMR, SIBM and NMIMS are the popular non-IIM options.
Which popular MBA college has the highest median package?
IIM Calcutta has the highest median package in this list, at Rs 35 lakh for the Class of 2026. IIM Bangalore follows at Rs 34.75 lakh, IIM Lucknow at Rs 32.9 lakh and IIM Ahmedabad at Rs 32.5 lakh.
Which popular MBA college has the lowest fee?
IIM Lucknow has the lowest fee in this list, at Rs 20.75 lakh for the 2026-28 batch. IIM Kozhikode is next at Rs 23.5 lakh and IIM Indore at about Rs 24.1 lakh. Fees can change before the 2027 intake.
What CAT percentile do I need for IIM Ahmedabad?
IIM Ahmedabad shortlists General and EWS candidates from 95 overall and 85 in each section. The cutoff differs by category and year, and it gets you the interview call only. Check the latest cut-offs page before you apply.
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The popular MBA colleges in India in 2026 are the older IIMs, XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR, SIBM and NMIMS. At IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Lucknow, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta, the Class of 2026 median package is Rs 32.5 to 35 lakh. The popular colleges charge about Rs 21 lakh to Rs 31 lakh in fee for two years. This page shows what each college costs, what its students earn, and who it suits.
Rs 32.5 to 35 lakh
Median package at IIMA, IIML, IIMB and IIMC
Class of 2026
About Rs 21 to 31 lakh
Two-year fee at the popular colleges
Latest published batch
29 November 2026
CAT 2026 exam date
Sunday
Which Are the Most Popular MBA Colleges in India in 2026?
Students shortlist eight colleges most often: IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore, MDI Gurgaon and XLRI Jamshedpur. The table gives the NIRF 2025 rank and the exam for each. NIRF 2025 is the latest edition, and NIRF has not published the 2026 list yet.
| College | NIRF Management 2025 | Entrance exam |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 1 | CAT |
| IIM Bangalore | 2 | CAT |
| IIM Kozhikode | 3 | CAT |
| IIM Lucknow | 5 | CAT |
| IIM Calcutta | 7 | CAT |
| IIM Indore | 8 | CAT |
| MDI Gurgaon | 9 | CAT |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | 10 | XAT |
| SIBM Pune | 11 | SNAP |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | 20 | Check the official admission page |
| NMIMS Mumbai | 24 | NMAT by GMAC |
Read the top MBA colleges in India 2026 page to see how NIRF, Outlook-ICARE, Business Today-MDRA, FT and QS rank these colleges.
What Do the Popular MBA Colleges Cost and Pay in 2026?
IIM Lucknow is the cheapest of the popular colleges, at about Rs 20.75 lakh. XLRI Jamshedpur is the costliest, at about Rs 30.6 lakh. The table sets each fee against the median package of the latest placed batch. The batches differ, so read the notes below the table.
| College | Two-year fee (about) | Median package |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Lucknow | Rs 20.75 lakh (2026-28) | Rs 32.9 lakh (2026) |
| IIM Kozhikode | Rs 23.5 lakh (2026-28) | Rs 27.5 lakh (2025) |
| IIM Indore | Rs 24.1 lakh (2026-28) | Rs 25 lakh (2026) |
| IIM Bangalore | Rs 26 lakh (2026-28) | Rs 34.75 lakh (2026) |
| MDI Gurgaon | Rs 26.55 lakh (2027-29) | Rs 29 lakh (2024-26) |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Rs 27.5 lakh (2025-27) | Rs 32.5 lakh (2026) |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | Rs 30.6 lakh (2027) | Rs 29 lakh (2024-26) |
| IIM Calcutta | Rs 25 to 27 lakh (2024-26) | Rs 35 lakh (2026) |
Packages are before tax. Fees can change before the 2027 intake, and several colleges have not yet published the 2027-29 fee. Fee for XLRI excludes hostel and mess. IIM Calcutta shows two fee figures, so ask the admissions office for the final amount.
Which popular MBA college gives the best return on fee?
IIM Lucknow gives the best fee-to-median ratio of the colleges above. Its fee is about 63% of one year's median package. IIM Bangalore is at about 75%, and IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Kozhikode are both near 85%.
The ratio is higher at the other end. MDI Gurgaon is at about 92% and IIM Indore is at about 96%. XLRI Jamshedpur is above 100%. These are rough ratios, because the fee and the package come from different batches.
Did the IIM Indore median package fall in 2026?
Yes, the IIM Indore PGP median package fell from Rs 27 lakh for the Class of 2025 to Rs 25 lakh for the Class of 2026. The average also fell, from about Rs 29.57 lakh to about Rs 27.27 lakh. The course fee is about Rs 24.1 lakh, as listed on the IIM Indore fees page. Check the latest placement report before you plan a loan.
Is the XLRI median package audited?
The latest XLRI figures on the page are not audited yet. XLRI reports a median of Rs 29 lakh and an average of about Rs 31.4 lakh for the 2024-26 batch. An audit dated 16 March 2026 for the 2023-25 batch shows a median of Rs 24 lakh in total guaranteed cash. Compare it only with audited figures from other colleges. See the XLRI Jamshedpur placements page for both.
Which Popular MBA College Suits Your CAT Percentile?
Your CAT percentile decides which popular MBA colleges in India you can apply to. These are the shortlisting cutoffs published for each college. They differ by category and by year, and they only get you the interview call.
IIM Ahmedabad shortlists General and EWS candidates from 95 overall and 85 in each section. IIM Lucknow asks for 90 overall and 85 in each section. See the IIM Ahmedabad cut-offs before you apply.
Who Each Popular MBA College Suits, and Who Should Check Twice
Each college has one honest limit to know before you apply. The points below come from the latest data on each college page.
IIM Ahmedabad
Suits you if your CAT percentile is above 95 and you want the strongest placement record. In the Class of 2026, 392 of 392 students were placed, with a median package of Rs 32.5 lakh. Check twice because the 2026-28 fee is not yet published in rupees. The 2025-27 PGP fee is Rs 27.5 lakh. See the IIM Ahmedabad fees page.
IIM Bangalore
Suits you if you want a high median package and a metro campus. The Class of 2026 median is Rs 34.75 lakh, from 665 offers for 605 students. Check twice if you cannot afford the Rs 26 lakh fee and do not qualify for need-based aid. IIM Bangalore does not publish a highest package.
IIM Calcutta
Suits you if you want the highest median in this list. The Class of 2026 median is Rs 35 lakh, with 100% of 458 students placed. Check twice because the fee for the next batch is not on the institute site yet. Ask the admissions office at mbaadmissions@iimcal.ac.in.
IIM Lucknow
Suits you if you want a high median at the lowest fee in this list. The Class of 2026 median is Rs 32.9 lakh and the fee is Rs 20.75 lakh. Check twice if you aim at sales, marketing or operations. See the IIM Lucknow placements page.
IIM Kozhikode
Suits you if you want an IIM and are fine with a campus outside a metro city. Check twice if you want a metro campus, because IIM Kozhikode is a long drive from the city. The latest median on the page is Rs 27.5 lakh for the 2023-25 batch.
IIM Indore
Suits you if you want an older IIM at a mid-range fee. Check twice because the median fell to Rs 25 lakh in 2026 from Rs 27 lakh in 2025. IIM Indore also runs a five-year integrated programme through IPMAT, which is a separate route.
MDI Gurgaon
Suits you if you want a Delhi NCR campus with CAT-based admission. The PGDM fee is Rs 26.55 lakh for the 2027-29 batch, against a median of Rs 29 lakh for the 2024-26 batch. Check twice because the fee is close to one year of median package.
XLRI Jamshedpur
Suits you if you want to study HR or business management and have a good XAT score. Check twice because the fee is about Rs 30.6 lakh, which is above the reported median of Rs 29 lakh. Check the audit status of the placement figure before you plan a loan.
Popular MBA Colleges Outside the IIMs
SPJIMR Mumbai, SIBM Pune, NMIMS Mumbai and IIFT New Delhi are the popular non-IIM options in the NIRF 2025 top 25. IIT Delhi's management department is 4th in NIRF 2025. Each takes a different exam, so check the admission page of the college before you register.
🏫NIRF 20SPJIMR MumbaiNIRF 2025 rank 20. Check the official admission page for the accepted exams.🏫NIRF 11SIBM PuneNIRF 2025 rank 11. Admission is through SNAP.🏫NIRF 24NMIMS MumbaiNIRF 2025 rank 24. Admission is through NMAT by GMAC.🏫NIRF 17IIFT New DelhiNIRF 2025 rank 17. Check the official admission page for the exam.CAT 2026 Dates for the Popular MBA Colleges in India
CAT 2026 is on Sunday, 29 November 2026, and IIM Indore conducts it for all 22 participating IIMs. Registration closed on 22 September 2026. Admit card download opens on 4 November 2026. The official site is iimcat.ac.in.
22 September 2026
CAT 2026 registration closed
The last date was extended from 15 September 2026.
4 November 2026
Admit card download opens
The link stays open until the exam day.
29 November 2026
CAT 2026 exam
Held in three sessions on Sunday.
FAQs on Popular MBA Colleges in India 2026
Which are the most popular MBA colleges in India in 2026?
The most popular MBA colleges in India in 2026 are IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore, MDI Gurgaon and XLRI Jamshedpur. SPJIMR, SIBM and NMIMS are the popular non-IIM options.
Which popular MBA college has the highest median package?
IIM Calcutta has the highest median package in this list, at Rs 35 lakh for the Class of 2026. IIM Bangalore follows at Rs 34.75 lakh, IIM Lucknow at Rs 32.9 lakh and IIM Ahmedabad at Rs 32.5 lakh.
Which popular MBA college has the lowest fee?
IIM Lucknow has the lowest fee in this list, at Rs 20.75 lakh for the 2026-28 batch. IIM Kozhikode is next at Rs 23.5 lakh and IIM Indore at about Rs 24.1 lakh. Fees can change before the 2027 intake.
What CAT percentile do I need for IIM Ahmedabad?
IIM Ahmedabad shortlists General and EWS candidates from 95 overall and 85 in each section. The cutoff differs by category and year, and it gets you the interview call only. Check the latest cut-offs page before you apply.
Updated on
By Atul Harsha, Content Manager
