QS Global MBA Rankings 2025: IIM Bangalore Leads Indian Business Schools on Global Stage

In the latest edition of QS Global MBA Rankings 2025, business schools in India again showcased their growing global presence and competitiveness. The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore leads Indian B-schools as the 53rd-ranked globally, proving its place as a centre for excellence in management education. The annual rankings, ranked by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), analyzed over 300 MBA programs globally on various parameters including employability, return on investment, thought leadership, entrepreneurship, and student and faculty diversity.

India’s Top Performers in QS MBA Rankings 2025

Here’s how some of India’s leading business schools rank in the 2025 rankings as per QS:

There are 14 Indian institutions recognized from a pool of over 300 MBA programs globally, a clear illustration of the growing stature of Indian management education internationally.

Global MBA Rankings 2025: Top 5 in the World

The top of the QS Global MBA Rankings 2025 is dominated by long-standing giants from the United States and Europe:

• Stanford Graduate School of Business (USA)
• The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (USA)
• Harvard Business School (USA)
• London Business School (UK)
• HEC Paris (France)

These institutions continue to be favored for their robust alumni networks, strong brand value, international appeal, and innovation-led curricula.

Key Parameters of the QS MBA Rankings

The QS Global MBA Rankings are derived from five major indicators:

1. Employability (40%) – compiled from employer surveys, graduate employment rates, and recruiter views.
2. Return on investment (20%) – measured from salary uplift and pay-back periods post-MBA
3. Entrepreneurship & Alumni outcomes (15%) – looks into startup companies, innovations, and notable alumni.
4. Thought leadership (15%) - refers to academic reputation and impact of research.
5. Class & Faculty diversity (10%) – reported on gender and national diversity, and international faculty.

What Makes IIMs and ISB Exceptional

Despite slightly slipping in global ranks, IIM Bangalore, IIM Ahmedabad, and IIM Calcutta improved their scores for ROI and employability, highlighting the increasing demand for the Indian MBA class in global job markets.

• With an ROI score of 84.8, IIM Bangalore offers one of the best value-for-money options [in the world].
• IIM Calcutta (finance specialization) remains strong in employability with a score of (68.3).
• ISB Hyderabad's one-year MBA option is making good strides with respect to internationalization, and industry-oriented curriculum.

The three B-Schools also maintain active global partnerships, executive education modules, and incubation for start-ups and entrepreneurship, so students are equipped to be ready to ambitiously seek jobs and innovation trajectories.

Expert Take

According to QS CEO Jessica Turner, the rise of Indian B-schools in ROI and global employer preference speaks volumes of their quality:

“Indian management institutions are redefining global education metrics with efficient, intensive, and outcome-driven programs. However, improving diversity and international collaboration remains a key to improving further on the world stage.”

What It Means for MBA Aspirants

For MBA aspirants in India and the world, the 2025 rankings provide a useful guide for evaluating and choosing programs based on their relative strengths:

• Strong ROI and employment opportunities continue to make B-schools in India very appealing in a price-sensitive education space.
• Brand recognition of IIMs and ISB still matters throughout Asia, the Middle East, and North America.
• Global exposure, although limited in some programs, is improving steadily through programs that have international tie-ups and exchange opportunities.

Looking Ahead

As India B-schools continue to shape their global footprint, they're focusing on sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation in the delivery of the curriculum. NEP (National Education Policy) is further encouraging a multidisciplinary and research-based form of learning, and we could witness the Indian MBA program leapfrog the rankings during the next few years.

Conclusion

The QS Global MBA Rankings 2025 further consolidated India's growing influence in global management education. With IIM Bangalore at the forefront, Indian B-schools establish that world-class leadership, impactful pedagogy, and industry-relevant education are surely possible in this part of the world! We may see India transform into a destination for affordable and accessible global-quality MBA education in the coming years!