India’s Best B-schools: What XLRI-Xavier School of Management is doing to maintain its standards over seven decades

IN JANUARY 1949, a junior officer at Jamshedpur-based Tata Steel had a request for the Jesuit priests: to open a labour school to address the needs of industrial workers. Months later, the Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI) was founded in the steel city, becoming the oldest management school of India. Its initial focus was to offer courses to empower union leaders and managers with negotiation, conflict resolution, and welfare, thereby fostering better working conditions and industrial harmony. Or, for the greater good — the Jesuits’ north star. Seven decades later, XLRI-Xavier School of Management continues to shine as one of the most coveted B-schools in the country. Like any top institute, XLRI has aced the game of evolving with a purpose. “We are expanding access to global learning pathways, upgrading digital and physical infrastructure, and introducing more personalised career development support,” says Fr George Sebastian, director of XLRI Jamshedpur. XLRI is one among the the few B-schools where mental health is given precedence. “A strong emphasis is being placed on mental well-being, financial assistance, and flexible learning opportunities. Our focus is to ensure that every student receives holistic support academically, emotionally, and professionally, so they can thrive in an increasingly dynamic environment,” Fr Sebastian says. “Rankings reflect our long-standing commitment to excellence, ethics, and innovation — qualities that define the XLRI brand.” “Our outcomes are driven by a rigorous curriculum, distinguished faculty, and a legacy of value-based leadership,” he further adds. “Industry trusts XLRI talent for their competence, integrity, and readiness to take on complex roles.” Recently, two XLRI faculty members were included in the Stanford University–Elsevier global ranking of the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists. This year, the highest international and domestic offers stood at ₹1.10 crore and ₹75 lakh per annum, respectively, the institute claims. As many as 591 students from the 2025 academic batch at XLRI’s Jamshedpur and Delhi-NCR (Jhajjar in Haryana) campuses received more than 600 job offers, including two international, from 172 recruiters, according to the institute. Around 34.17% of the cohort received pre-placement offers after their summer internships. The institute has secured 100% summer placements for the 2024-26 PGDM batch, with the highest stipend at `3.50 lakh per month. “Strong corporate relationships, continuous curriculum renewal, and the extraordinary support of our global alumni network further strengthen placements,” the director says. XLRI has forged “global learning pathways”, he elaborates. It has collaborated with European universities such as the Sorbonne and Bordeaux to offer internationally recognised degrees and exchange programmes. New specialisations in high-demand fields are being planned. The institute has announced the introduction of its PGDM (BM) programme with international specialisation tracks, designed in collaboration with highly reputed universities across the U.S. and France. XLRI Jamshedpur has deepened its ties with government-backed industrial bodies, including the Jharkhand Industrial Infrastructure Development Corp., via the Jharkhand Industrial Policy Lab. It has partnered with companies such as 7-Eleven Global Solution Center-India, Ecoren Energy India Pvt. Ltd, and ANSR for leadership engagements, joint research, talent development, and consulting programmes.

India’s Best B-schools: What XLRI-Xavier School of Management is doing to maintain its standards over seven decades

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