IIM Lucknow
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Summary
What is IIM Lucknow?
Explore IIM Lucknow MBA admission 2026 details including fees, placements, courses & CAT cut-offs. Your guide to top MBA college in Lucknow, India.
- Location
- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Total fees
- ₹21 L
- Average package
- ₹33.2 L
- Highest package
- ₹1 Cr
- NIRF rank
- #4
- Exams accepted
- CAT
Last updated
About IIM Lucknow
IIM Lucknow stands as a powerhouse in management education, consistently ranked among the top 5 B-schools in India NIRF 2026. Known for its rigorous academic curriculum and the "Hel(L)" tag, the institute prepares students for high-pressure leadership roles. It holds the prestigious Double Crown accreditation from AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS, placing it in the top 1% of business schools globally Admission Brochure 2026.
The campus is a major hub for Consulting and Finance recruitment. In the most recent placement cycle, the institute maintained its 100% placement record, with the average package reaching INR 33.2 LPA and a median of INR 32.9 LPA Placement Report 2025-26. Top global firms such as McKinsey & Company, BCG, Goldman Sachs, and Adobe are regular recruiters on campus.
- Academic Excellence: Offers specialized PGP programs in Sustainable Management (PGP-SM) and Agri-Business Management (PGP-ABM) alongside the flagship PGP.
- Strategic Location: The Lucknow campus provides a serene learning environment, while the Noida campus serves as a dedicated hub for executive education and the CAT exam-based 1-year MBA (IPMX).
- Strong Alumni Network: A massive network of 30,000+ alumni leading global corporations provides students with unparalleled mentorship opportunities.
For students aiming for Tier-1 consulting or investment banking roles, IIM Lucknow is a definitive choice. Use the College Shortlister to compare its ROI against other top IIMs.
Why Join IIM Lucknow?
Courses & Fee Structure
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) | 2 Years (Full-Time) | Bachelor’s Degree (50%) + CAT Score | INR 21,04,000 |
| Post Graduate Programme in Agribusiness Management (PGP-ABM) | 2 Years (Full-Time) | Bachelor’s in Agriculture/Engineering + CAT Score | INR 21,04,000 |
| Post Graduate Programme in Sustainable Management (PGP-SM) | 2 Years (Full-Time) | Bachelor’s Degree + CAT/GMAT/GRE Score | INR 21,04,000 |
| International Programme in Management for Executives (IPMX) | 1 Year (Full-Time) | Bachelor’s Degree + 5 Years Work Ex + GMAT/GRE Score | INR 27,50,000 |
| Post Graduate Programme in Management for Working Executives (PGP-WE) | 2 Years (Part-Time) | Working Professionals + Minimum 3 Years Work Ex | INR 15,00,000 |
Admission Process
The selection methodology at IIM Lucknow is distinctive because it places substantial weight on academic diversity and gender diversity during the shortlisting phase. For the 2026-2027 batch, the institute continues to use a Composite Score (CS) calculation that evaluates CAT performance, Class 12 marks, graduation scores, and relevant work experience. Candidates who clear the initial threshold are invited for the Writing Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. Selection Criteria 2026
Applicants planning to join the PGP-SM (Sustainable Management) program or the PGP-WE (Working Executives) must meet specific work experience requirements. The total fee for the two-year flagship program is approximately INR 21,00,000, covering tuition and residential components. With a median placement of INR 32.9 LPA, the institute remains one of India's most sought-after destinations for management education. Placement Report 2025-26
Admission Steps
CAT Registration and Examination
Register and appear for the CAT 2025 exam, ensuring you select IIM Lucknow PGP programs in the application form.
Shortlisting for WAT and PI
Candidates are shortlisted for the next round based on a Composite Score (CS) which includes CAT scores, academic records, and diversity factors.
Writing Ability Test and Interview
Shortlisted applicants must attend the Writing Ability Test (WAT) and a Personal Interview (PI) conducted across major Indian cities.
Final Selection List Release
A final merit list is prepared using weighted scores of CAT, WAT, PI, and academic/professional profiles.
Offer Acceptance and Fee Payment
Selected candidates receive provisional admission offers and must pay the commitment fee to secure their seat for the 2026-2028 batch.
Campus Reporting and Enrollment
Completion of final document verification and registration on the Noida or Lucknow campus before the start of the academic session in June 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
- A Bachelor Degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
- A valid score in the Common Admission Test (CAT 2025) meeting both sectional and overall percentile cutoffs.
- Candidates in their final year of graduation are eligible to apply, provided they complete all requirements by June 2026.
- For PGP-ABM, a bachelor degree in Agriculture Science, Engineering, or allied subjects is preferred but not mandatory.
- For PGP-SM, a minimum of 24 months of full-time post-qualification work experience is required as of the specified cutoff date.
Placement Statistics
Sector-wise Placements
Top Recruiters
IIM Lucknow continues to maintain its status as a top-tier management destination, achieving 100% placements for the 39th MBA batch and the 19th PGP-ABM batch. The 2024-2025 recruitment cycle saw a significant intake from Strategy and Management Consulting firms, which emerged as the largest recruiting sector. Top-tier global firms and domestic giants visited the campus, offering diverse roles to a batch of over 570 students. The institute recorded a highest domestic package of INR 1 Crore, reflecting the high industry confidence in IIML graduates.
The placement season demonstrated resilience despite global market shifts, with a notable increase in roles within Product Management and BFSI. Students also secured international offers across various geographies. For those preparing via the CAT exam, IIM Lucknow remains a dream destination due to its consistent salary growth and strong alumni network. You can compare these outcomes with other top institutes using our College Shortlister tool.
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Cutoff Details
| Category | Exam | Year | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | CAT | 2025-26 | 90 |
| EWS | CAT | 2025-26 | 82 |
| OBC (NC) | CAT | 2025-26 | 82 |
| SC | CAT | 2025-26 | 70 |
| ST | CAT | 2025-26 | 65 |
| PwD | CAT | 2025-26 | 65 |
← Swipe to view all columns →
Admission to IIM Lucknow for the 2026-2027 batch remains highly competitive, requiring high sectional and aggregate scores in the CAT exam. The institute follows a two-stage selection process: the qualifying cutoff to get a shortlist for Writing Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI), followed by the final merit list based on composite scores. Admission Brochure 2026
For the General category, the minimum qualifying CAT percentile is 90, but the actual administrative cutoff for an interview call usually hovers around 98+ percentile due to the high volume of applicants. IIM Lucknow also places significant weight on academic consistency and gender diversity. Candidates from non-engineering backgrounds often receive incremental weightage in the composite score calculation to ensure a diverse cohort. IIM Lucknow Admission Policy 2026
Sectional and Overall Percentile Requirements
Meeting the overall percentile isn't enough; candidates must clear the sectional cutoffs across VARC, DILR, and QA. For the current cycle, the minimum sectional requirement for General category students is 85 percentile in each of the three segments. Admission Brochure 2026
Rankings & Accreditations
Accreditations
Student Reviews
Incredible peer learning and the HelL culture truly prepares you for high-pressure corporate roles in consulting and finance.
The workload is notoriously heavy, often leaving very little time for sleep during the first year of the PGP.
The faculty members are global authorities in their fields. The placement cell is extremely efficient, securing top-tier roles.
The campus is a bit far from the main Lucknow city, making quick outings a bit of a logistical challenge.
The infrastructure is top-notch with a 24/7 library and excellent sports facilities. The mess food is surprisingly good for a hostel.
Relative grading is quite competitive and can be stressful for students aiming for specific academic honors.
Campus Gallery
Scholarships
IIM Lucknow Need-Based Financial Assistance (NBFA)
Full tuition fee waiver or partial grantThe primary financial aid program for PGP students at IIML based on financial necessity.
Criteria: Annual family income below INR 4,00,000 and past academic performance.
Central Sector Scholarship Scheme (Ministry of SJ&E)
INR 50,000 to INR 1,00,000 per yearGovernment-backed scholarship for meritorious students from marginalized communities.
Criteria: Reserved for students from SC/ST/PWD categories with strong academic records.
Aditya Birla Group Scholarship
Annual tuition fee reimbursement up to INR 2 LakhsA merit-based award funded by the Aditya Birla Group for elite management students across top IIMs.
Criteria: Awarded to the top performers in the first year of the PGP program.
OPJEMS (O.P. Jindal Engineering & Management Scholarships)
INR 1,00,000 per yearA prestigious corporate scholarship specifically for high-achieving second-year students.
Criteria: Awarded to one student based on academic excellence and leadership potential.
Ratan Tata Trust Grant
Variable based on trust guidelinesNeed-cum-merit scholarship supported by the Ratan Tata Trust for students in the second year.
Criteria: Family income limits and high performance in the CAT exam.
Faculty Profiles
Dr. Bhaba Krishna Mohanty
Decision Sciences
PhD (IIT Kharagpur) • 22 Years
Dr. Satyabhusan Dash
Marketing Management
PhD (IIT Kharagpur) • 18 Years
Dr. Ajay K. Garg
Finance & Accounting
PhD (FMS, Delhi University) • 25 Years
Dr. Neeraj Dwivedi
Strategic Management
PhD (IIM Lucknow) • 15 Years
Dr. Himanshu Rai
Human Resource Management
PhD (IIM Ahmedabad) • 20 Years
Dr. S. Venkataramanaiah
Operations Management
PhD (Anna University, Chennai) • 14 Years
Dr. Amit Agrahari
IT & Systems Group
PhD (XLRI Jamshedpur) • 19 Years
Hostel & Campus Life
Campus Facilities
The IIM Lucknow campus is famously known as 'Helicon' and 'Parnassus', providing a serene green environment spread over 190 acres. It is a strictly residential campus for the PGP, PGP-ABM, and PGP-SM programs, where students live in 128 student rooms across various blocks. Living on campus is a core part of the IIML experience, fostering deep networking and peer-to-peer learning late into the night. Most rooms for first-year students are provided on a twin-sharing basis, while second-year students usually get single occupancy rooms IIM Lucknow Brochure 2026.
The campus is fully self-contained with high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity and 24/7 security. Students have access to a massive library, modern gymnasiums, and sports facilities that include a swimming pool and floodlit courts. The 'Chanakya' and 'Patanjali' blocks house modern classrooms and administrative offices, all within walking distance from the hostels. For those seeking the Best MBA Colleges in India, IIML consistently ranks at the top for its infrastructure and peer environment NIRF 2026.
Hostel Accommodation Particulars
| Feature | Details for 2026-2027 Session |
|---|---|
| Accommodation Type | Hostels for PGP & PGP-SM students |
| Occupancy | Single/Twin Sharing available |
| Internet | 24/7 High-speed Wi-Fi and LAN |
| Mess Facilities | Student-run mess with North/South Indian menu |
Frequently Asked Questions
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