India’s top business schools have once again proven their mettle, achieving 100% placements in a year marked by economic uncertainty and global headwinds. From the hallowed corridors of IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta and Lucknow to ISB’s Hyderabad and Mohali campuses and XLRI Jamshedpur, recruiters turned out in force, underscoring the enduring allure of India’s premier management institutions.

Consulting’s enduring dominance

Consulting firms continue to set the pace. McKinsey & Company emerged as the top recruiter at ISB and IIM Ahmedabad, while Accenture led at IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta. Boston Consulting Group featured among the top three recruiters across multiple campuses. “Employers continue to prize structured problem-solving and the ability to turn complex data into actionable strategies,” observed Navveen Balani, LinkedIn Top Voice and AI leader.

IT and BFSI secure lion’s share

Beyond consulting, IT services, global capability centres and banking & financial services together accounted for as much as 80% of placements across the country’s top 50 B-schools, according to Business Today. While FMCG, analytics, product management and e-commerce retain presence, the recruitment landscape has clearly consolidated around consulting and technology-led domains.

Salaries scale new heights

Compensation trends reinforced the premium on elite credentials. IIM Bangalore reported the highest average package at ₹35.92 lakh per annum, while NMIMS Mumbai clocked in at ₹25.13 lakh, as per MBA Universe. At the very top, select recruiters breached the ₹1 crore barrier—most notably IIM Lucknow, where a student bagged a ₹1.23 crore per annum offer in the product and analytics space.

New recruiters, global appetite

Adding to the momentum, IIM Kozhikode and ISB each welcomed more than 70 first-time recruiters this year. Despite global slowdowns, trade disputes and AI-driven disruptions, multinational corporations have maintained strong hiring in India, The Wall Street Journal reported, reflecting the country’s centrality to their talent strategies.

The big picture

For companies navigating volatility, India’s leading B-schools remain trusted talent pipelines. Their graduates combine adaptability, analytical depth and strategic acumen with the credibility of institutional reputation—making them indispensable to employers seeking future-ready leaders.