While the "Old IIMs" maintain their legacy, the NAVRUS group (Nagpur, Amritsar, Vizag, Rohtak, Udaipur, Sambalpur) is where the real "Value for Money" (ROI) is being redefined. These institutes have successfully transitioned from being "Baby IIMs" to becoming preferred hubs for Tech-Consulting, Analytics, and Product Management.

The "NAVRUS" Strategic Edge

1. The Geographic Advantage: Unlike the older IIMs tucked away in traditional hubs, the NAVRUS group is strategically located in high-growth states. IIM Vizag and IIM Nagpur are sitting on the doorstep of massive industrial and tech corridors, leading to a surge in "Live Projects" and local corporate partnerships that reflect in their final placements.

2. Specialization Pockets:

   • IIM Udaipur: Has carved a niche as the "Research and Analytics" powerhouse. It is often the first among the new IIMs to be compared with the likes of IIM Indore or Shillong.

   • IIM Rohtak: Continues to be a favorite for Marketing and Strategy, leveraging its proximity to the National Capital Region (NCR).

   • IIM Amritsar: Has seen one of the steepest year-on-year (YoY) growths in average packages, quickly closing the gap with the older "New IIMs."

3. The Infrastructure Leap: By 2026, most NAVRUS institutes have shifted to their permanent, state-of-the-art campuses. This has allowed them to increase batch sizes without compromising on the quality of recruiters, a feat that is clearly visible in the latest salary benchmarks.