Indian business schools have strengthened their standing among international employers as four Indian institutions have made it to the list of top-10 B-schools in the Asia Pacific region, says a survey.

According to the QS Global 200 Business Schools Report, Indian business schools have improved in international employer opinion considerably this year, moving up in both the Asia-Pacific rating, and almost all of the specialisation.

Among the top 36 business schools in the Asia Pacific region, Australia boasts of 11 premier schools, but India is among the biggest improvers as the country has six schools on the list, including four in the top-10.

The four Indian B-schools that have made it to the top 10 among Asia Pacific region are the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (2nd), Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (5th), Indian School of Business (7th) and the Indian Institute of Management Kolkata (8th).

Other two business schools that got featured in the list include S P Jain Institute of Management and Research at 16th rank and Indian Institute of Foreign Trade which made the cut this year for the first time at 21st place.

The report noted that business schools in India continue to climb up the ratings.

"In an economy that is rapidly growing in global importance, the rise in employer opinion of MBA graduates is extremely promising in ensuring the development of future business leaders to sustain the fast-paced economic growth," the report said.

Overall, INSEAD - Singapore is the preferred choice among employers, retaining its position in the top spot of the Asia-Pacific rating for three years running.

The schools that have shown the biggest improvements in employer opinion this year are two Indian schools, both jumped four places up the ratings: Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta.

Year-on-year, business schools in the Asia-Pacific region have strengthened their role in the global MBA education scene as well.

The number of Asian and Australian schools featured in the QS Global 200 Business Schools Report has increased from 10 in 2004 to 36 this year.

"Economic growth in some Asian countries, particularly in China and India has heightened the demand for more accredited business schools in the region in order to train the next generation of successful business leaders," the report said.