Baby IIMs and New IIMs are only marginally worth joining compared to similar-fee Tier-2 private alternatives, and frequently fail the fees-to-placement ratio test. The IIM tag provides marginal brand benefit but doesn't compensate for Rs 14-17L fees against Rs 11-16 LPA placement medians that characterize most new IIMs.
Baby IIMs include: IIM Udaipur, Rohtak, Trichy, Kashipur, Raipur, Ranchi (these are moderately stronger "older-new" IIMs). New/weaker IIMs include: IIM Sirmaur, Sambalpur, Bodh Gaya, Amritsar, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, Jammu.
Placement reality at new IIMs: - IIM Udaipur: Rs 16L fees, Rs 15-17 LPA avg, Rs 13-14 LPA median - IIM Rohtak: Rs 15L fees, Rs 14-16 LPA avg, Rs 12-13 LPA median - IIM Ranchi: Rs 15L fees, Rs 15-17 LPA avg, Rs 13 LPA median - IIM Raipur: Rs 14L fees, Rs 13-15 LPA avg, Rs 11 LPA median - IIM Kashipur: Rs 16L fees, Rs 14-16 LPA avg, Rs 12 LPA median - IIM Trichy: Rs 15L fees, Rs 15-17 LPA avg, Rs 13 LPA median - IIM Sirmaur: Rs 15L fees, Rs 13 LPA avg, Rs 10-11 LPA median - IIM Bodh Gaya: Rs 13L fees, Rs 13 LPA avg, Rs 10 LPA median - IIM Sambalpur: Rs 14L fees, Rs 14 LPA avg, Rs 11 LPA median - IIM Jammu: Rs 15L fees, Rs 15 LPA avg, Rs 12 LPA median
The fees-to-median-placement ratio at most new IIMs is 1.0-1.3x, meaning the loan burden is serviceable but the MBA doesn't produce life-changing salary jumps. Compare to IIM A/B/C at fees of Rs 26-27L and placement medians of Rs 30-32 LPA (ratio 0.85x) — dramatically better ROI.
The thread's argument holds: Baby IIMs often have: - Recent IIM tag but limited historical brand depth - Small alumni networks (program started 2009-2015 mostly) - Variable placement outcomes year-to-year - Location disadvantages (Sirmaur, Bodh Gaya, Sambalpur are remote) - Placement reports combining multiple programs to inflate averages
Better alternatives to consider: - Retake CAT for 1 year to target IIM L/K/I/FMS (strictly better brands) - NMIMS Mumbai via NMAT (Rs 25L fees, Rs 18 LPA — similar economics, stronger brand) - SIBM Pune via SNAP (Rs 25L fees, Rs 20-25 LPA — better placements) - Select Baby IIMs (Udaipur, Rohtak, Ranchi, Trichy) over weaker ones
Verdict: Baby IIMs are rarely "strong" picks but sometimes acceptable. Among them, IIM Udaipur, Rohtak, Trichy, Ranchi are best. Avoid IIM Sirmaur, Bodh Gaya, Sambalpur when alternatives exist. Check your eligibility at collvera.com/eligibility