IIM Ahmedabad tops NIRF management rankings for the sixth consecutive year: Here’s why

The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) has secured the top position in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) management rankings for the sixth consecutive year.

This continued success reflects the institute’s consistent excellence across key parameters that define quality in management education. Since 2020, IIM Ahmedabad has maintained its number one rank, following a period from 2016 to 2019 when it was ranked among the top two institutes in the country.The NIRF rankings, released by the Ministry of Education, evaluate institutions based on several key metrics including teaching, learning and resources (TLR), research and professional practices (RPC), graduation outcomes (GO), outreach and inclusivity (OI), and perception.

The data over the past decade highlight how IIM Ahmedabad has consistently excelled across these areas, ensuring its position as India’s leading management institute.Consistent performance across key ranking parametersExamining the NIRF data for IIM Ahmedabad from 2016 to 2025 reveals a remarkable level of stability and excellence in its scores across all ranking parameters. From 2020 to 2025, the institute consistently scored above 82 in the overall score, with minor fluctuations reflecting competitive dynamics but no significant decline.

In terms of teaching, learning and resources (TLR), IIM Ahmedabad recorded scores consistently above 91, reaching a peak of 92.87 in 2020 and maintaining similar high levels in subsequent years. This reflects strong faculty credentials, robust academic resources and infrastructure.The research and professional practices (RPC) parameter shows some variation over the years, with scores fluctuating between 63.06 and 65.09 from 2020 to 2025.

Although there is a slight downward trend compared to the 2016 score of 91.35, this may indicate changes in the weighting or metrics of RPC, or the emergence of other strong research performers.Graduation outcomes (GO) have remained exceptionally high, consistently above 98, reaching as high as 99.43 in 2021. This shows the institute’s strength in ensuring strong academic completion rates and successful placements.Outreach and inclusivity (OI) scores ranged from 66.78 to 72.01 over the past six years, demonstrating sustained efforts towards diversity and social inclusion.Perception, which reflects the reputation of the institute among academic peers, employers and the public, has remained very strong, with scores above 90 in all years, peaking at 99 in 2016.

Overview of management rankings and peer institutionsThe 2025 NIRF management rankings confirm IIM Ahmedabad at rank one, followed by Indian Institute of Management Bangalore at rank two and Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode at rank three.

The top ten list also includes premier institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, and XLRI - Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur.

Increase in number of institutions ranked and expanding frameworkThe NIRF rankings have expanded since their inception, with 100 institutions each ranked in overall, universities, colleges, engineering, pharmacy and management categories.

Additional rank bands cover institutions beyond the top 100, reflecting a broader participation in the framework.Subject domain rankings also cover emerging fields such as architecture, law, medical, dental, agriculture and allied sectors, and research institutions. The framework has introduced specialised categories including open universities and skill universities, although these rank fewer institutions due to the smaller eligible pool.Official release and government perspectiveThe India Rankings 2025, based on the NIRF framework, were released by Union Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan on September 4, 2025. The event was attended by senior education officials, including Minister of State Shri Sukanta Majumdar, Secretary (HE) Dr Vineet Joshi, and representatives from AICTE, NAAC, NBA, and NETF.Shri Pradhan highlighted that the NIRF rankings serve as a national benchmark reflecting the strength of India’s higher education institutions. He noted that the framework has evolved since 2015 and remains central to the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020. The Minister emphasised the importance of academic institutions in realising the vision of a knowledge superpower, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, and contributing to India’s development goals.