XLRI, IIM Lucknow, SPJIMR, and IIFT (Delhi) sit in the "no regrets" tier per a CAT 99.9+ percentiler, meaning all four deliver equivalent career outcomes. At IIM Lucknow (Rs 22L fees, Rs 32.
3 LPA avg, 97%+ CAT cutoff), XLRI BM (Rs 30.6L fees, Rs 28 LPA avg, XAT 95%+), SPJIMR (Rs 26.5L fees, Rs 32 LPA avg, 95%+ CAT cutoff), and IIFT Delhi (similar to SPJ range), placements are comparable but specialisations differ.
XLRI excels at HR specialisation globally and consulting placements; IIM L has the strongest IB/PE pipeline outside ABC; SPJ has unique program design (2-year with overseas immersion); IIFT has unique focus on international business with finance crossover. The ranker placed IIFT here despite historical skepticism because "The government is very keen of having one IIM every major city, with IIFTs move to take CAT and it being as old as the old IIMs, I won't be surprised if in the next 10 years it too gets the IIM tag." IIFT now takes CAT instead of its separate exam - this makes it comparable to old IIMs structurally.
Choose XLRI if HR/consulting is your focus, IIM L if finance/consulting, SPJ if you value international exposure, IIFT if specifically international business or if your 12th is weak (IIFT is less board-heavy). Don't pick MDI (Rs 28.2L fees, Rs 22 LPA avg) over any of these - controversy and director changes have hurt MDI placements recently.
Check your eligibility at collvera.