
Gaining admission to a top-tier management institute in India is a monumental milestone for any ambitious professional. Securing an IIM Lucknow MBA Admission is about more than just high test scores; the school evaluates your entire profile, including academic grades and professional work history. Success requires a deep understanding of the specific eligibility benchmarks, the nuances of the multi-stage shortlisting criteria, and the academic rigour expected by the faculty.
By breaking down the complexities of the application journey and clarifying the requirements for each postgraduate program, the path to joining this prestigious community becomes significantly more attainable and structured for every dedicated aspirant.
IIM Lucknow is a premier management institution in India, consistently ranking among the top business schools globally. It offers various postgraduate management programs designed to produce industry leaders.
Securing IIM Lucknow MBA Admission requires meeting specific academic benchmarks and high entrance exam percentiles. The following table provides a high-level summary of the essential information for the 2026-28 admission cycle.
|
IIM Lucknow Admission 2026 |
|
|
Particulars |
Details (Batch 2026-2028) |
|
Establishment Year |
1984 |
|
NIRF Ranking 2025 |
Top 10 (NIRF Management) |
|
Flagship Program |
Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) |
|
Entrance Exam Accepted |
CAT 2025 (For PGP, ABM, SM) |
|
Expected CAT Cut-off |
90+ Percentile (General Category) |
|
Selection Process |
CAT Score + WAT + PI + Profile Score |
|
Total Batch Intake |
~500+ across all PGP programs |
|
Average Placement (2025) |
INR 33.2 LPA |
|
Highest Domestic CTC |
INR 1.23 Crore |
|
Official Website |
@iiml.ac.in |
Understanding these key parameters is the first step toward a successful application. Applicants should focus on maintaining a consistent academic record and achieving a balanced sectional score in the CAT to advance to the final selection rounds.
The admission process at IIM Lucknow is comprehensive. It involves multiple stages designed to select the most suitable candidates. Applicants are evaluated based on various factors.
Applying for IIM Lucknow MBA Admission is a two-stage registration process. The initial application is completed through the common CAT portal:
Register for CAT: Visit the official CAT portal (iimcat.ac.in) during the registration window.
Select Program Preferences: Within the CAT form, you must specifically select "Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP)" and other desired courses under IIM Lucknow to be considered.
Upload Documents & Pay Fee: Complete your profile by uploading a recent passport-sized photograph and signature, then pay the CAT registration fee online.
Download Admit Card: Log in to the CAT portal in October 2025 to receive your exam center details.
IIML Shortlist Registration: If you meet the cut-offs after results are declared (January 2026), you will then visit the IIM Lucknow official website to create a specific ID and fill out the detailed form for the WAT-PI rounds.
The selection process is divided into three key phases:
Phase 1: Shortlisting for WAT-PI. Candidates are initially shortlisted for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) based on their CAT scores.
Phase 2: Composite Score Calculation. A composite score is then calculated. This score considers CAT scores, academic achievements (10th, 12th, and graduation marks), work experience, and diversity factors (academic and gender).
Phase 3: Final Selection. The final selection integrates CAT, WAT, and PI scores. It also considers the candidate's academic profile, work experience, and diversity. Applicants must meet all IIM Lucknow admission criteria to avoid rejection.
IIM Lucknow provides a diverse range of management programs. These include 4 degrees and 11 courses. Each program has specific eligibility requirements.
The institute offers various courses:
MBA in Executive and International Business
Postgraduate Program in Management (PGPM)
Postgraduate Program in Agribusiness Management (PGP-ABM)
Postgraduate Program in Sustainable Management (PGPSM)
Postgraduate Program for Working Executives (PGPWE)
International Program in Management for Executives (IPMX)
Executive Fellow Program in Management (EFPM)
Fellow Program in Management (FPM)
The table below outlines IIM Lucknow courses, fee structures, and their respective eligibility criteria.
|
Eligibility Criteria and Fees |
||
|---|---|---|
|
IIM Lucknow Courses |
IIM Lucknow Fee Structure (INR) |
IIM Lucknow Eligibility Criteria
|
|
MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation |
14.3 Lakhs |
Bachelor's degree with 50% marks; CAT/GMAT + PI |
|
PGPM |
~22.5- 23 Lakhs |
Bachelor's degree with 50% marks; CAT + WAT + PI |
|
PGP-ABM |
19.25 Lakhs |
Bachelor's degree in relevant field with 50% marks OR 2 years work experience; CAT + WAT + PI |
|
PGPSM |
19.25 Lakhs |
Bachelor's degree with 50% marks and 2 years professional experience; CAT + WAT + PI |
|
PGPWE |
11.15 Lakhs |
Bachelor's degree with 50% marks and 3 years work experience; CAT/GMAT/GRE/GATE/PGPWE + WAT + PI |
|
IPMX |
~28.5 Lakhs |
Bachelor's degree with 50% marks and 5 years work experience; GRE/GMAT + WAT + PI |
|
EFPM |
7.5 Lakhs |
10th & 12th with 55%, Bachelor's (non-engg) 50% or Post-grad 55% OR Bachelor's (engg) 65%; PI |
|
FPM |
- |
10th & 12th with 55%, Bachelor's (non-engg) 55% or Post-grad 55% OR Bachelor's (engg) 60% OR CA, ICWS, CS 55%; CAT/GMAT + PI |
Meeting the cut-off percentile is a crucial step for IIM Lucknow MBA Admission. The following table provides the expected minimum percentile requirements for the first shortlist based on various categories.
|
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Categories |
VARC |
DILR |
QA |
Overall
|
|
General |
85 |
85 |
85 |
90 |
|
NC-OBC |
77 |
77 |
77 |
82 |
|
EWS |
77 |
77 |
77 |
82 |
|
SC |
55 |
55 |
55 |
65 |
|
ST |
50 |
50 |
50 |
60 |
|
PwD |
50 |
50 |
50 |
60 |
Note: Meeting the minimum cut-off does not guarantee a shortlist; actual call cut-offs often exceed 98+ percentile for the General category.
IIM Lucknow has a strong record in placements. The institution ensures excellent career opportunities for its graduates. Over 200 recruiters participated in the 2023-24 placement season.
Highest International Package: INR 65 LPA
Highest Domestic Package: INR 1 Crore Per Annum
Average Package: INR 33.2 LPA
Median Package: INR 30 LPA
Number of Offers: 632
Number of Students: 556
Top Recruiters: Barclays, Accenture, BCG, Deloitte, Amazon, Jio, Capgemini, KPMG
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