QS Executive MBA Rankings 2026: IIM Bangalore Drops 14 Places to 64th Globally

IIM Bangalore has secured the 64th position in the QS Executive MBA Rankings 2026, marking a significant 14-place drop from its 50th rank in 2025.

The Indian Institute of Management remains the only Indian business school ranked in the global top 100, though its performance has deteriorated considerably.

QS Quacquarelli Symonds released the rankings on April 29, 2026, evaluating 215 EMBA programmes across 55 countries and territories worldwide.

IIM Bangalore's decline stems primarily from weaker performance in career outcomes, which dropped 22 places year-on-year, alongside a five-place decline in employability.

The institute scored 76.3 in career outcomes this year, down from 87.1 in 2025, reflecting graduate outcomes such as salary progression, promotions, and organizational impact.

However, IIM Bangalore performed relatively well in employer reputation, ranking 42nd globally, and career outcomes at 47th position. The rankings assess institutions across five key indicators: employer reputation, academic reputation, percentage of graduates promoted, mean salary increase after graduation, and student-gender ratio.

Also Check: List of Executive MBA Colleges in India Based on 2026 Ranking

Indian Institutes in QS Executive MBA Rankings 2026

Global Competition and Intensifying Rankings Pressure

QS attributed IIM Bangalore's decline not only to weaker performance metrics but also to intensifying global competition at the top of the rankings table.

Three newly ranked programmes entered above IIM Bangalore this year, creating a cascading effect that pushed established institutions lower despite relatively stable underlying performance.

This competitive landscape reflects the growing strength of executive MBA education worldwide, with business schools from the United Kingdom, United States, France, and Spain dominating the top positions.

Oxford's Said Business School leads globally at rank 1, followed by HEC Paris at rank 2 and MIT Sloan School of Management at rank 3.

What’s Next for Indian Executive MBA Aspirants

The decline in IIM Bangalore's ranking raises important questions about career outcomes for executive MBA graduates in India's competitive business landscape.

While the institute maintains its position as India's premier EMBA programme, prospective students should carefully evaluate salary progression, promotion rates, and organizational impact metrics when selecting programmes.

The strong performance of other Indian institutes in specific categories suggests that executive MBA education in India continues to evolve, with multiple institutions offering quality programmes tailored to mid-career professionals.

Students considering executive MBA programmes should assess individual institutional strengths beyond overall rankings, focusing on employer reputation, industry connections, and alumni outcomes relevant to their career goals.

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