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IIM median pay packages rise by up to 40% since pandemic
Mint Bangalore
|March 28, 2026
The salary boost is driven by higher-value, strategic roles and an influx of top-tier recruiters
The older IIMs command a higher median compensation than the newer ones.
Even as the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and global volatility have dampen hiring sentiment, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) campuses saw their median compensation rising 25-40% from that of the 2020 pandemic-era batch, as the 2026 cohort got picked up for specialized roles.
IIM Calcutta’s median pay package was ₹35 lakh in 2026, up nearly 3% from ₹34 lakh in 2025 and more than 37% higher than the 2020 level of ₹25.5 lakh, according to its statement.
IIM Lucknow matched the momentum at ₹32.9 lakh, over 6% higher than ₹31 lakh a year ago and a massive 43% up from the ₹23 lakh annual package of 2020, its press statement said. Most IIMs are wrapping up the placement process for the latest batch.
The data reflects broad employability and offers a realistic sense of what an IIM graduate can expect to earn. It captures the pay offered to a larger share of the batch, with the outcomes varying across institutes. The older IIMs command a higher median compensation than the newer ones.
This story is from the March 28, 2026 edition of Mint Bangalore.
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