Positive Impact Rating 2025 Business Schools: KJ Somaiya’s Inspiring Rise

Discover how K J Somaiya Institute of Management gained global recognition in the Positive Impact Rating 2025 business schools edition for its sustainability efforts.

In a world increasingly driven by sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical leadership, business schools are no longer judged solely by academic performance or placements. They are now assessed on how they empower students to become responsible global citizens. One such example of transformation is K J Somaiya Institute of Management (KJSIM), which has earned a spot among the top institutions in the Positive Impact Rating 2025 business schools edition.

The recognition comes as part of the sixth edition of the Positive Impact Rating (PIR), a global initiative that uniquely assesses business schools from the student’s perspective. In this year’s PIR edition, KJSIM achieved Level 3—the ‘Progressing’ level—out of five total levels. This status is an indication of the institution’s growing dedication toward social impact, sustainability, and inclusive leadership.

A Student-Driven Transformation

What sets the Positive Impact Rating apart is its unique methodology: it is designed by students, for students. This year saw a record-breaking participation of over 17,000 students across 30 countries. KJSIM was one of the 86 business schools that participated globally. The evaluation was based on students’ perceptions of how their schools address global sustainability and social justice issues.

More than 130 students at KJSIM participated in the PIR survey, led by a student coordinator who distributed questionnaires across the campus. Their feedback formed the foundation for the rating that led to the institute’s inclusion in the Positive Impact Rating 2025 business schools category.

Global Recognition with Local Commitment

Dean & Director of K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Dr. Raman Ramachandran, expressed his pride, stating, “Being recognised as a Progressing school in the Positive Impact Rating 2025 is a meaningful milestone for us. It reflects our collective journey of ‘Transforming Together’—students, faculty, and the institution—toward building a more sustainable, inclusive, and socially conscious future.”

This perspective aligns with the larger purpose of PIR—to promote transparent, student-validated metrics that help institutions measure and improve their impact.

PIRPIR Framework and Dimensions

The Positive Impact Rating 2025 business schools methodology evaluates institutions using 20 thoughtfully curated questions. These are organized into seven core dimensions, which are further grouped into three overarching categories: Energizing, Educating, and Engaging. Each of these areas provides a framework to understand a school’s impact beyond academics.

• Energizing refers to how institutions create an inclusive and inspiring environment that fosters sustainability.
• Educating focuses on integrating ethics, social responsibility, and sustainability into the curriculum.
• Engaging evaluates how schools interact with stakeholders and contribute to their communities.

These frameworks assess how committed schools are to:

• Encouraging sustainability
• Incorporating ethics in education
• Promoting community involvement

The Positive Impact Rating 2025 business schools results are then categorized into five tiers that reflect the progress of each institution:

• Level 1: Beginning
• Level 2: Emerging
• Level 3: Progressing
• Level 4: Transforming
• Level 5: Pioneering

Only Levels 3, 4, and 5 are disclosed publicly, as they represent schools actively creating measurable change. With KJSIM being ranked at Level 3, the institute now holds a significant position in the Positive Impact Rating 2025 business schools spectrum. This recognition as a progressing institution is a testament to the foundational work laid by students and faculty alike in striving toward a positive societal and environmental influence.

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The Ecosystem of PIR and Global Backing

The PIR was founded by academic and NGO leaders, including organizations like WWF, UN Global Compact, Oxfam, and supported by global student groups such as Net Impact, AIESEC, and oikos. It also benefits from partnerships with VIVA Idea (Costa Rica), FehrAdvice (Switzerland), and the Institute for Business Sustainability Foundation.

According to Prof. Thomas Dyllick, PIR Founder, “The PIR has become a tool for transformation. Students are no longer passive recipients of education—they’re active evaluators. Their voice is now a key performance indicator.”

New Developments in PIR 2025

The 2025 edition introduces enhanced reporting modules that help business schools align with accreditation requirements like PRME, AACSB, and EQUIS. These modules support schools in reporting on their Ethics, Responsibility, and Sustainability (ERS) mandates using student-driven data.

By participating, schools not only gain recognition but also actionable insights to improve their curriculum, campus culture, and societal contributions.

Why This Recognition Matters for KJSIM

KJSIM’s inclusion in the Positive Impact Rating 2025 business schools edition adds international credibility to its initiatives. It also reflects a growing trend where students, especially post-pandemic, seek purpose-driven education over prestige alone.

It opens up collaborative opportunities with global institutions, strengthens their brand equity, and positions the school as a forward-thinking, student-centered, and sustainability-conscious institute.

How This Applies to Indian Education Stakeholders

For Indian educators and students, this news holds multiple lessons:

• Curriculum Design: Embed sustainability in business education
• Student Engagement: Empower student voices in institutional governance
• Stakeholder Reporting: Leverage global platforms like PIR to track progress

Those looking to adopt best practices can explore platforms like:

• Edunovations Notes
• NCERT Courses
• Current Affairs
• Mind Maps and Free PDFs

Educational institutions looking to expand their digital outreach can also rely on Mart Ind Infotech for customized school websites and learning portals.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for KJSIM?

With this milestone, the road ahead is rich with possibility. The focus now will likely shift to achieving Level 4 or 5, which would place KJSIM among globally “Transforming” or “Pioneering” institutions. To do this, initiatives will need to scale, stakeholders will require deeper integration, and transparency will remain paramount.

KJSIM’s progress also inspires other Indian management institutes to think beyond placements and rankings and measure what truly matters—their positive impact on society.

10 FAQs (with longtail keywords)

1. What is the Positive Impact Rating 2025 business schools list?
   The PIR 2025 highlights global business schools evaluated for sustainability and social impact by students.
2. What does Level 3 in PIR mean for a school?
   It classifies the school as ‘Progressing’ in terms of sustainability and ethics integration.
3. How did KJ Somaiya earn its PIR sustainability recognition?
   Through student-led surveys evaluating the school’s societal and environmental efforts.
4. What is the PIR 2025 progressing institutions list?
   It includes schools like KJSIM that show consistent development in impact practices.
5. Why is student-rated business school impact index important?
   It ensures transparency and aligns institutional performance with real student experiences.
6. Which organizations support the PIR framework?
   UN Global Compact, WWF, Oxfam, and student bodies like AIESEC, oikos, and Net Impact.
7. What role do students play in PIR ratings?
   Students lead the data collection and evaluate their institutions anonymously.
8. Is PIR useful for PRME or AACSB accreditation?
   Yes, PIR 2025 now includes modules to assist with global accreditation.
9. How is sustainability integrated at KJSIM?
   Through ethics-focused curricula, community programs, and inclusive leadership.
10. How can schools improve their PIR ranking?
    By involving stakeholders, reporting transparently, and aligning with global impact goals.