IIMs

IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta: Are India’s Top MBAs Still Your Best Bet?

A client once told me this bluntly:
“My parents think IIM Ahmedabad is the best thing I can do with my life. But I’m not so sure anymore.”

Fair.

Because while IIMs are still seen as the holy grail for Indian students, serious applicants are starting to ask sharper questions.

Will it help me land global roles?
Is it better than ISB?
Should I skip IIMs completely and go for INSEAD or an M7?

Let us unpack it. No fluff. No brochure lines. Just clarity.

Why You’re Reading This

If you are in your late twenties, with 2 to 5 years of work experience, and are trying to choose between IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, ISB, or a global MBA, this is for you.

You are asking:

Is an IIM MBA still worth it
What is the real placement scene beyond consulting
How does it compare to ISB or global MBAs
Can IIM help me move abroad
Is the PGP brand strong internationally
Will it help with VC, product, or startup roles

Let us start with the upside.

The IIM MBA Brand: Still India’s Hardest Launchpad

If you get into IIM ABC, you are in rare company.
The peer group is elite.
The academic rigor is real.
The alumni base runs half of Indian corporate leadership.

The IIM brand still holds massive weight in Indian business circles.
It gives you credibility, signaling, and access.
But what it gives inside India does not always transfer abroad.

The Hidden Truth: Most IIM Grads Stay in India

This part gets missed.
IIMs are built for Indian placements.
Almost 90 percent of the roles are domestic.
Most of your peers will work in consulting, finance, tech, or leadership development programs inside India.

If your end goal is to move to Europe, Dubai, or the United States,
IIM will not take you there by default.
You will need to hustle hard or plan a second degree later.

Class Profile and Culture: Sharp but Homogenous

At IIM ABC, the average age is around 24 to 26.
Most students have 2 to 3 years of work experience.
The class is filled with engineers, analysts, consultants, and the occasional chartered accountant.

If you come from a creative, global, or non-engineering background,
You may not find a lot of cultural or academic diversity.
The learning curve is steep.
And the competition is fierce.

But if you want an intense, competitive, and Indian corporate-heavy MBA experience,
You will get that here.

Placement Reality: Who Hires and Who Does Not

Most IIM graduates are hired into:

Consulting: McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Kearney
Finance: Goldman Sachs, Axis, ICICI, Citi
Tech and Product: Amazon, Flipkart, Razorpay
Corporate Strategy: Tata, Mahindra, Aditya Birla Group

Average salaries at IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta hover around 34 to 37 lakh per year.
Top 25 percent earn significantly higher.

What you will not easily get:

VC and private equity roles
Product roles in top US tech companies
Global leadership programs in the US or EU

For these outcomes, you will need to build your own off-campus path.

Want Something Beyond Consulting

Yes, IIMs are seen as consulting feeders.
But that is changing.

Startups now recruit for growth and ops.
You will see early-stage VC funds hire interns or associates.
There is an increase in interest around entrepreneurship, with support from incubators and mentorship.

But product roles in global tech firms still require work experience or an additional global degree.
You may land Amazon or Swiggy.
But don’t expect Meta or Google PM offers straight out of IIM.

Want to Work Abroad

This is where the IIM pitch gets tested.

Yes, some students get placed in Dubai or Singapore.
Yes, you may get an international posting in a few years.

But if your goal is to start your post-MBA career abroad,
The IIM path is tough.
Most roles are domestic.
The degree is still not fully recognized as an MBA in many international markets.

For global mobility, schools like INSEAD, ISB, or LBS offer more direct access.

PGP vs MBA Confusion

IIMs technically offer a PGP, not an MBA.
That confuses international employers.

The schools have started repositioning the PGP as equivalent to an MBA.
But in many global companies, the brand recognition is still weak.

You may need to explain it.
Not a huge blocker,
But definitely a difference if you are aiming for global roles.

IIM vs ISB: Which Should You Choose

If you are 22 to 25 with 2 years of experience, IIM makes sense.
If you are 26 to 30 with 4 to 6 years of experience, ISB may be a better fit.

IIM is spread over two years, intense, and campus-heavy.
ISB is one year, more diverse, and offers more global exposure.
Placements are strong at both, but ISB gives you better age fit and peer diversity.

If you are India-focused and want deep academic grounding, IIM ABC is excellent.
If you are globally inclined and want a more modern format, ISB is stronger.

FAQ: People Also Ask

What is the average salary after IIM MBA
Around 34 to 37 lakh per year. The top quarter earn more, especially in consulting and finance.

Is IIM better than ISB
It depends on your profile and goals. IIM is better for early career professionals. ISB is better for experienced candidates looking for international exposure or product roles.

Can IIM MBA help me work abroad
Yes, but not easily. Most placements are within India. You will need a second push — via off-campus networking, a global master’s, or international work experience post-MBA.

Final Take

IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta still represent the pinnacle of Indian MBA education.
The placement engine is strong.
The alumni base is powerful.
And the name commands respect.

But if you are chasing global outcomes,
You will need to plan ahead.
IIM is a platform.
Not a passport.

If you want to grow in India, and do it fast go IIM.
If you want global roles, VC, or international product careers explore wider.

The degree does not make the outcome.
You do.