SPJIMR NIRF Ranking 2025: Why India’s Top Private B-School Stays Stuck at Rank 20

Every year, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) sparks conversations across India’s academic and professional circles. The 2025 edition is no different. Among the names on the list, one stands out not for its rise or fall, but for its rank consistency. SP Jain Institute of Management and Research popularly known as (SPJIMR), one of most reputed B-Schools among private management schools, finds itself once again at the 20th position in the NIRF 2025.

For three consecutive years, SPJIMR has been pinned to this rank, raising eyebrows among students, recruiters, and academics alike. Given its reputation, legacy, and strong industry connect, the question is worth asking: Does SPJIMR really deserve to be at number 20, or is the NIRF ranking system failing to reflect its true stature and thus misleading students?

The SPJIMR Paradox

SPJIMR has long enjoyed prestige in management education. Known for its values-driven leadership model, global linkages, and exceptional return on investment (ROI), the institute is often the first choice for MBA aspirants after the top-tier IIMs.

Yet, its NIRF ranking 2025 seems at odds with this reputation. While some institutes above it are relatively new or housed within engineering schools, SPJIMR’s consistency at the 20th position makes it an intriguing case study.

Where the Numbers Fall Short

To understand the system, you must look at NIRF’s evaluation model. Rankings are based on five parameters:

Teaching, Learning, and Resources (TLR) - 30%

Research and Professional Practice (RP) - 30%

Graduation Outcomes (GO) - 20%

Outreach and Inclusivity (OI) - 10%

Perception (PR) - 10%

We have analyzed it only with the top 20th ranked institutions. The SPJIMR performs well in several areas. Its TLR score of 79.62 places it 11th among the top 20 schools.

The institute shines brightest in Graduate Outcomes, a metric which is of utmost important to students and the industry, with a score of 78.82. This is the highest among private B-Schools, fourth best across all B Schools, behind only IIM Mumbai, Bangalore, and Calcutta. SPJIMR also boasts 100% placement, with a median salary of 31.5 lakh — a figure that ranks third in the country.

So where does it stumble? The Research and Professional Practice (RP) score. SPJIMR registers a mere 32.08 out of 100, the lowest among the top 20 ranked institutes. Similarly, its Perception score of 20.19 is the second lowest, just above IIM Raipur. This parameter fails the NIRF ranking where the perception of students wanting to pursue MBA is at odds with the perception as declared by NIRF.

The 30% of the research weightage is the weak factor among all the B-Schools rankings, which is believed to be holding back standalone institutions in the rankings, while much larger multidisciplinary institutions get ahead.

The IIT DoMS Effect

The contrast becomes sharper when one considers that certain IIT departments of management (DoMS), which are primarily engineering schools with management add-ons, are ranked higher. Their research output benefits from interdisciplinary collaborations, pushing their research scores well beyond those of standalone B-Schools like SPJIMR.

In other words, SPJIMR may be a powerhouse for placements and leadership development, but in the research-heavy world of NIRF rankings, it struggles to compete with even non-deserving institutions.

Beyond the Metrics: What Rankings Miss

The debate raises a larger question: Are the ranking metrics truly aligned with the nature of management education? While research and publications are vital, they may not fully capture what makes a management institute impactful. For students and recruiters, factors such as quality of peer group, corporate interface, leadership development programs, and ROI often matter more. Notably, NIRF does not account for the quality of incoming students, typically reflected in competitive exam cut-offs — a parameter many believe is critical in measuring an MBA programme’s strength.

Time for a Rethink?

SPJIMR’s case highlights the tension between academic research-driven frameworks and market-driven realities of management education. With an AACSB accreditation, global recognition, and a placement record that rivals the best, the institute continues to command respect where it matters most — among students and recruiters.

And yet, its static ranking suggests either a blind spot in NIRF’s methodology or a challenge for SPJIMR to diversify and aim for a stronger research output.

For now, the 20th spot raises more questions than it answers. But one thing remains clear: SPJIMR’s story is not defined by a rank — it is defined by its consistent ability to deliver value, leadership, and opportunities in a competitive landscape.