FT Masters in Management Ranking 2026: 14 Indian B-Schools Enter Global Top 100
FT Masters in Management Ranking 2026: 14 Indian B-Schools Enter Global Top 100
India has recorded a strong performance in the Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2026, with 14 Indian business schools securing positions among the world’s top 100 institutions.
The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore has emerged as the highest-ranked Indian institution, securing the 21st position globally. SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, is placed 26th, followed by IIM Ahmedabad at 27th.
The official ranking was published by the Financial Times on 7 September 2026 and includes 100 business schools. Seven of the 14 Indian institutions in the list are Indian Institutes of Management.
FT Masters in Management Ranking 2026: Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Ranking | Financial Times Masters in Management 2026 |
| Publication date | 7 September 2026 |
| Number of ranked institutions | 100 |
| Indian institutions in top 100 | 14 |
| IIMs included | 7 |
| Indian institutions in top 50 | 5 |
| Highest-ranked Indian institution | IIM Bangalore |
| IIM Bangalore global rank | 21 |
| World’s top-ranked institution | University of St Gallen, Switzerland |
Complete List of Indian B-Schools in FT MiM Ranking 2026
| 2026 Global Rank | Indian Business School | 2025 Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Indian Institute of Management Bangalore | 28 | Up 7 places |
| 26 | SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai | 35 | Up 9 places |
| 27 | Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad | 34 | Up 7 places |
| 33 | XLRI – Xavier School of Management | 58 | Up 25 places |
| 39 | Indian Institute of Management Calcutta | 41 | Up 2 places |
| 54 | Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode | 69 | Up 15 places |
| 62 | Indian Institute of Management Indore | 85 | Up 23 places |
| 67 | Management Development Institute Gurgaon | 72 | Up 5 places |
| 72 | Indian Institute of Management Lucknow | 57 | Down 15 places |
| 73 | NMIMS Mumbai School of Business Management | Not ranked | New entrant |
| 83 | Indian Institute of Management Udaipur | 98 | Up 15 places |
| 86 | Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad | Not ranked | New entrant |
| 90 | International Management Institute, Delhi | 99 | Up 9 places |
| 98 | T.A. Pai Management Institute, Karnataka | Not ranked | New entrant |
The complete list and ranks are available in the official Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2026.
IIM Bangalore Becomes India’s Top-Ranked Business School
IIM Bangalore’s management programme has climbed from 41st place in 2024 to 28th in 2025 and 21st in 2026. This means that the institution has improved by 20 positions within two ranking cycles.
The official FT profile lists IIM Bangalore’s ranked programme as the Master of Business Administration (PGPM). Its 2026 ranking data also records strong performance in areas such as career services, alumni networks and graduate employment outcomes.
Students can read the institution’s official announcement on the IIM Bangalore website.
SPJIMR Moves Ahead of IIM Ahmedabad
SP Jain Institute of Management and Research has risen nine places, from 35th in 2025 to 26th in 2026. It is now the second-highest-ranked Indian business school in the FT MiM table.
According to SPJIMR, the institution secured the second global position for career services and sixth position for alumni networks. It also ranked first among Indian institutions in career services, alumni networks, value for money and ESG and net-zero teaching.
The complete announcement can be read on the official SPJIMR website.
XLRI Records the Biggest Improvement
XLRI – Xavier School of Management registered the biggest improvement among the ranked Indian institutions.
The institution moved from 58th position in 2025 to 33rd in 2026—a rise of 25 places. IIM Indore also recorded a substantial improvement by moving from 85th to 62nd place.
Other significant improvements include:
- IIM Kozhikode: 69th to 54th
- IIM Udaipur: 98th to 83rd
- SPJIMR: 35th to 26th
- IMI Delhi: 99th to 90th
- IIM Bangalore: 28th to 21st
Three Indian Institutions Join the 2026 Ranking
The 2026 table has three Indian institutions that were not ranked in the 2025 top 100:
- NMIMS Mumbai School of Business Management – 73rd
- Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad – 86th
- T.A. Pai Management Institute, Karnataka – 98th
Their inclusion has increased India’s representation from 11 institutions in 2025 to 14 in 2026.
World’s Top 10 Business Schools in FT MiM Ranking 2026
| Global Rank | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of St Gallen | Switzerland |
| 2 | Nova School of Business and Economics | Portugal |
| 3 | Shanghai Jiao Tong University: Antai | China |
| 4 | INSEAD | France |
| 5 | HEC Paris | France |
| 6 | Vlerick Business School | Belgium |
| 6 | ESCP Business School | France |
| 8 | IESE Business School | Spain |
| 9 | Stockholm School of Economics | Sweden |
| 10 | Rabat Business School | Morocco |
The University of St Gallen retained the first position, while Nova School of Business and Economics and Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Antai College secured second and third places respectively.
How Is the FT Masters in Management Ranking Prepared?
A total of 132 programmes participated in the 2026 ranking process, of which 100 were included in the final published table.
The ranking covers full-time, cohort-based general management programmes designed primarily for students with little or no previous work experience. Participating institutions must satisfy the FT’s eligibility and accreditation requirements.
The ranking is based on 19 criteria:
- Alumni responses contribute 56% of the total weight.
- Information submitted by business schools contributes 44%.
- Weighted salary three years after course completion carries 15%.
- Salary growth carries 9%.
- Other factors include value for money, career progression, employment, alumni network, diversity, international exposure, faculty qualifications and sustainability teaching.
Students can examine the official FT MiM 2026 methodology before interpreting the results.
Is the FT Weighted Salary the Same as a Placement Package?
No. The weighted salary published in the ranking should not be interpreted as the average campus placement package offered to the latest graduating batch.
FT calculates it using salary information from alumni approximately three years after completing the programme. Local salaries are converted into US dollars using purchasing-power-parity rates, and adjustments are made for differences between employment sectors.
Therefore, students should consult each institution’s audited placement report for current placement statistics instead of treating the FT weighted salary as a guaranteed salary.
Is a Masters in Management the Same as an MBA?
A Masters in Management is generally intended for recent graduates or candidates with limited work experience. An MBA may be designed for either fresh graduates or experienced professionals, depending on the institution and programme.
The actual programme names in India may include:
- MBA
- Post Graduate Programme in Management
- Post Graduate Diploma in Management
- Business Management programme
- General Management programme
A programme appearing in the FT MiM ranking does not necessarily mean that its official award is titled “Masters in Management.” Students must verify the exact qualification, eligibility, duration and admission process from the institution’s official website.
How Should Students Use This Ranking?
A global ranking is useful for preparing an initial shortlist, but it should not be the only basis for selecting a business school.
Students and parents should also compare:
1. Programme and Specialisations
Check whether the curriculum offers suitable subjects in finance, marketing, human resources, operations, analytics, entrepreneurship or another preferred area.
2. Admission Requirements
Verify whether admission is based on CAT, XAT, GMAT, NMAT or another entrance examination. Students interested in IIM admissions should monitor the official CAT website for current information.
3. Total Cost
Compare tuition fees, hostel expenses, deposits, travel costs and other compulsory charges. A highly ranked programme may not be the most suitable choice if it creates an excessive financial burden.
4. Placement Evidence
Read the latest official or audited placement report. Compare median salary, role profiles, recruiting sectors and the proportion of students placed—not merely the highest salary announced.
5. Accreditation and Recognition
Students should confirm the institution’s accreditation and the legal status of the programme. They can also compare institutions through the Government of India’s NIRF Management portal.
6. Scholarships and Financial Aid
Check institutional scholarships, government schemes, education loans and private scholarship programmes before paying the admission fee.
7. Personal Career Goals
A student seeking an international career may value global exposure and exchange opportunities. Another student may place greater importance on affordability, location, entrepreneurship support or a specific specialisation.
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Readers should note that application deadlines mentioned in older admission or scholarship articles may have passed. Always check the latest official notification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Indian business school ranks highest in FT MiM 2026?
IIM Bangalore is the highest-ranked Indian institution, securing 21st place globally.
How many Indian business schools are in the global top 100?
Fourteen Indian business schools, including seven IIMs, appear in the 2026 top 100.
Which Indian institutions are in the top 50?
The five Indian institutions in the global top 50 are IIM Bangalore, SPJIMR, IIM Ahmedabad, XLRI and IIM Calcutta.
What is SPJIMR’s global rank in 2026?
SPJIMR Mumbai is ranked 26th globally and second among Indian institutions.
What is IIM Ahmedabad’s FT MiM rank?
IIM Ahmedabad is placed 27th globally in the 2026 ranking.
Which institution recorded the biggest improvement?
XLRI recorded the largest improvement among Indian institutions, moving from 58th in 2025 to 33rd in 2026.
Which institution is ranked first worldwide?
The University of St Gallen in Switzerland occupies the first position globally.
Does a higher rank guarantee admission or employment?
No. Admission depends on the institution’s eligibility requirements and selection process. A ranking also cannot guarantee employment or a particular salary.
Conclusion
The inclusion of 14 Indian business schools in the FT Masters in Management Ranking 2026 highlights the growing international visibility of management education in India.
IIM Bangalore’s rise to 21st position, SPJIMR’s advancement to 26th and XLRI’s 25-place improvement are especially noteworthy. Three additional Indian institutions entering the 2026 table have further strengthened the country’s presence.
However, prospective students should treat rankings as one part of a broader decision. Programme suitability, fees, scholarships, placement evidence, admission requirements and individual career goals should all be examined before choosing an institution.
Information last checked: 8 September 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes. It is not an admission notification and is not affiliated with the Financial Times or any institution listed above. Rankings and programme information may change. Students should verify all details from the official ranking, institution website and current admission notification before applying or paying any fee.
