Positive Impact Rating 2026: The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) has secured an overall score of 9.7 in the Positive Impact Rating (PIR) 2026, significantly exceeding the global average score of 8.0. The institute has also been recognised as a Level 5 ‘Pioneering School’ for the fifth consecutive year, retaining the highest distinction awarded under the global assessment framework.The Positive Impact Rating is a student-led international evaluation that measures how effectively business schools contribute to societal progress and prepare future leaders to address global challenges. Unlike conventional rankings that focus on academic performance and institutional reputation, the PIR evaluates institutions across dimensions such as governance, culture, learning methods, public engagement, and societal impact.The 2026 edition of the PIR received nearly 20,000 valid student responses from 87 business schools across 32 countries and five continents, making it the largest edition of the assessment so far.According to the results, IIM Bangalore recorded particularly strong performance in the ‘Energize’ and ‘Educate’ categories. Under ‘Energize’, which assesses governance and institutional culture, the institute achieved an overall score of 9.8, with governance scoring 9.8 and culture 9.7. In the ‘Educate’ category, covering programmes, learning methods, and student support, IIM Bangalore scored 9.6 overall, compared to the global average of 7.9. Individual scores in this category included 9.7 for programmes and 9.6 each for learning methods and student support.The institute also reported strong performance in areas related to public engagement and its role as a model institution, which are evaluated under the PIR’s ‘Enable’ dimension.Commenting on the recognition, Prof. U Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge of IIM Bangalore, said that feedback received through the rating process helps the institution assess its efforts in responding to evolving societal expectations from management education.“The year-on-year feedback we receive through the PIR helps validate our efforts at a time when the modern B-School is being called to a higher purpose than ever before. We will continue to play a conscious role in addressing challenges that matter to society in our journey to be among the world’s leading centres of management education,” he said.Prof. Mukta Kulkarni, Dean of Programmes at IIM Bangalore, said the recognition was particularly significant because the assessment is based entirely on student feedback.“It is especially encouraging to see IIMB continue to be recognised at the highest level in a rating shaped entirely by student voices. It challenges us to continue raising the bar,” she said.The Positive Impact Rating is governed by a Swiss association and was initiated by a coalition of business school experts. The initiative is supported by organisations including WWF, Oxfam International, and the UN Global Compact Switzerland & Liechtenstein. It focuses on assessing the contribution of business schools towards societal well-being and sustainable development.
