IIM Lucknow (Indian Institute of Management Lucknow) is a public business school established in 1984. It holds AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS accreditations, giving it the "triple crown" of global business school accreditations. The institute is ranked 5th in both NIRF Management Ranking 2025 and Collegedunia Rankings 2026.
The institute offers MBA, executive, UG and doctoral programs through its Lucknow and Noida campuses. Lucknow campus is fully residential and offers popular programs including PGP and PGP-ABM, with total fees of INR 20.75 Lakhs. IIM Lucknow (Noida campus) focuses primarily on executive and specialised management education.
For the 2027 admission cycle, MBA and MBA-ABM admissions are based on CAT 2026, followed by the institute's prescribed shortlisting and WAT-PI process. Programs offered at the Noida campus have separate admission schedules and selection criteria.
Placement Highlights (MBA and MBA-ABM):
- Average CTC: INR 33.2 LPA
- Highest Domestic CTC: INR 1 Crore
- Total Offers: 580+
- Students Placed: 559
IIM Lucknow Important Dates 2027
Admission to IIM Lucknow for the 2027-28 academic session is primarily based on CAT 2026, with separate application timelines for IPMX and EFPM programs. Check below for key dates:
CAT 2026 Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration | Aug 03 - Sep 22, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Nov 04, 2026 |
| Exam Date | Nov 29, 2026 |
| Result | First week of Jan 2027 (Tentative) |
- IPMX admission 2027-28 is conducted in 3 phases, with application deadlines on Sept 02, Nov 30, 2026, and Jan 20, 2027, respectively.
- EFPM Admission 2027-28 is expected to open in Jan 2027.
The table below shows the entrance exams accepted for courses at IIM Lucknow:
| Course | Exam Accepted |
|---|---|
| MBA (PGP)/ MBA-ABM/ MBA-SM | CAT |
| IPMX | GMAT / GRE / CAT |
| BPGP | CAT / GMAT |
| BS Business Analytics | CUET / SAT / JEE Main |
IIM Lucknow Courses & Fees 2027
IIM Lucknow offers 10 programs across its Lucknow and Noida campuses. Of these, 6 programs are offered at the main Lucknow campus, while 4 programs are offered at Noida campus. Program fees range from INR 2.50 Lakhs for selected executive certificate programs to INR 26.25 Lakhs for the one-year IPMX. Check the table below for IIM Lucknow Fees:
| Course | Eligibility | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|
| PGP (MBA) | Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks* | INR 20.75 Lakhs |
| PGP-ABM | Agriculture/agri-allied degree with 50% marks, or prescribed alternative eligibility | INR 20.75 Lakhs |
| PGPWE | Bachelor’s degree with prescribed marks and relevant work experience | INR 11.15 Lakhs |
| IPMX | Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks and 4+ years of work experience | INR 26.25 Lakhs |
| bMBA | 10+2/equivalent qualification as prescribed | INR 14.95 Lakhs |
| BS in AI & Business Analytics | 10+2/equivalent qualification with prescribed subjects and marks | INR 20 Lakhs |
| PhD | Master’s/professional degree or other prescribed qualification | Tuition Fee Waived |
| EFPM | Currently employed with 7+ years of work experience and prescribed qualifications | INR 5 - 7.50 Lakhs |
Offered Courses by Campus:
- IIM Lucknow Campus: PGP (MBA), PGP-ABM, bMBA, BS in AI & Business Analytics, PhD/DPM
- IIM Lucknow (Noida Campus): PGP-SM, PGPWE, IPMX, EFPM
IIM Lucknow Admission 2027
IIM Lucknow Admission 2027 to the two-year MBA (PGP), MBA-ABM and PGP-SM programs, primarily uses CAT 2026, followed by the institute’s Written Ability Test and Personal Interview. Executive, UG and doctoral programs have separate admission routes.
IIM Lucknow does not offer admission through a management quota or direct admission. Candidates are selected according to the eligibility, shortlisting and final selection criteria prescribed for the respective program.
MBA Selection Criteria 2027
For IIM Lucknow Admission to MBA, candidates for the 2027-29 batch will be assessed through CAT 2026 and subsequent WAT-PI stages. Since the 2027-29 admission policy is yet to be released, the latest available policy is used below as a reference:
| Stage | MBA (PGP) |
|---|---|
| Entrance Exam | CAT 2026 |
| Shortlisting | CAT, Class 12, graduation, work experience, academic diversity and gender diversity |
| Next Stage | WAT and PI |
| Final Selection | CAT, academics, work experience, diversity, WAT and PI |
MBA shortlisting carries 60% weight for CAT, 10% each for Class 12, graduation and work experience, and 5% each for academic diversity and gender diversity. Final selection follows the below weigtages:
- PI: 40%
- CAT: 30%
- WAT: 10%
- Academics (12th+graduation): 10%
- Work experience: 5%
- Diversity: 5%
For CAT cutoffs, check IIM Lucknow Cutoff
Note: MBA shortlisting weightages shown above are from the latest available policy and are provided for reference.
IIM Lucknow Placements
IIM Lucknow Placement 2026 for PGP and PGP-ABM programs involved 559 students and resulted in 580+ offers. The average CTC was INR 33.2 LPA, while the median CTC stood at INR 32.9 LPA. The highest domestic CTC reached INR 1 Crore per annum.
| Program | PGP & PGP-ABM | IPMX | PGP-SM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batch & Participation | 559 students; 580+ offers | 114 students; 108 sought employment | 45 students; 68 companies |
| Highest CTC | INR 1 Crore | Not disclosed | INR 45.37 LPA |
| Average CTC | INR 33.2 LPA | INR 27.65 LPA | INR 22 LPA |
| Median CTC | INR 32.9 LPA | INR 27 LPA | INR 20.5 LPA |
Consulting was the largest recruiting domain in IIM Lucknow Placement, accounting for 39% of placements, followed by General Management (20%) and Finance (17%). Key recruiters included Accenture, Deloitte, PwC, American Express, Bain & Company, BCG, EY, McKinsey & Company, Navi, and Alvarez & Marsal.
IIM Lucknow Rankings
IIM Lucknow Rankings include positions across national and global management rankings. In NIRF Management 2025, IIM Lucknow ranked 5th in India, improving from 7th in 2024. The FT Global MBA Ranking 2026 placed the institute at 58th globally. The table below summarises IIM Lucknow rankings for management across different agencies:
| Ranking Body | 2026 Rank | 2025 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia | 5 | 6 |
| NIRF | - | 5 |
| India Today | 3 | |
| IIRF | 5 | 4 |
| Outlook | 4 | 4 |
IIM Lucknow Scholarships
IIM Lucknow Scholarships cover need-based aid, government schemes, corporate awards and program-specific financial support. PGP and PGP-ABM students may receive IIML Scholarships based on family income, while PhD scholars are supported through the institute’s fellowship structure.
| Scholarship / Financial Aid | Eligibility | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Need-Based Financial Assistance | PGP and PGP-ABM | Based on family income |
| Central & State Government Scholarships | Eligible students | As per applicable government scheme |
| Industry-Sponsored Scholarships | Selected PGP/MBA students | As per individual scholarship |
| BS in AI & BA Fee Waiver | Eligible students based on JEE Advanced performance | Merit-based fee waiver |
| PhD Fellowship & Financial Support | PhD scholars | INR 35,000/month in Years 1-2; INR 40,000/month from Year 3 after comprehensive examination |
Industry-Sponsored Scholarships
The institute lists the IDFC First Bank MBA Scholarship, Aditya Birla Scholarship, OPJEMS, Class of 1993 Scholarship, Amrit Kala Dayal Scholarship for Girl Student, Central Bank of India Scholarship, and Apeejay Scholarship among the available awards for eligible students.
The eligibility criteria, award amount and application process may differ across scholarships and academic years. Applicants should check the latest institute notification for current details.
IIM Lucknow Campus & Infrastructure
IIM Lucknow Campus is spread across 200 acres at Prabandh Nagar, Lucknow, and is fully residential. It houses PGP in Management, PGP in Agribusiness Management and Fellow Program. The campus is around 21 km from Lucknow Railway Station and 31 km from Lucknow Airport. Its infrastructure includes academic, residential, sports, wellness and student-support facilities.
| Campus Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Library | Gyanodaya Library; 30,000 sq ft, two-storey and open 24 hours |
| Computer Centre | 7,500 sq ft air-conditioned facility with high-end computing resources |
| Internet | Wired and wireless connectivity available across the campus |
| Student Accommodation | Housing facilities for more than 1,000 students |
| Sports | Swimming pool, badminton, lawn tennis, squash, table tennis, billiards, chess and gymnasium |
| Wellness Facilities | Jacuzzi, sauna bath and yoga facilities |
| Campus Amenities | Shopping complex, departmental stores, post office, banks and cafeteria |
| Student Activities | Manfest-Varchasva, the annual business, cultural and sports festival |
| Other Facilities | Health facilities, student mess and nature-walk areas |
The campus also provides a fibre-optic network backbone and round-the-clock connectivity, supporting academic work and day-to-day student activities. The residential setup brings academic, recreational and essential support facilities within the same campus.
As per the Reddit Discussion, a current IIM Lucknow PGP student described the academic environment as “very academically demanding and stressful”. The student said the workload requires students to balance academics with social activities and prioritise tasks according to their goals. Despite the demanding schedule, the student noted that there is still considerable time for partying and socialising. They also advised incoming students to strengthen their presentation and Excel skills, as the academic term can become hectic once classes begin.

Source: Reddit
IIM Lucknow vs IIM Indore vs IIM Kozhikode
IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore and IIM Kozhikode are commonly compared by CAT aspirants. While all 3 consider CAT scores for MBA admissions, their minimum CAT cutoffs, shortlisting criteria, WAT/PI components and final selection weightages differ.
| Parameter | IIM Lucknow | IIM Indore | IIM Kozhikode |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF 2025 Management Rank | 5 | 8 | 3 |
| CAT Minimum Cutoff – General | 90 overall, 85 sectional | 90 overall, 80 sectional | 85 overall, 75 sectional |
| Selection Process | WAT + PI | Three-stage process with PI | WAT + PI |
| WAT Weight in Final Selection | Included in final selection | Not applicable | 20% |
| PI Weight in Final Selection | 40% | 45% | 35% |
| CAT Weight in Final Selection | 30% | 40% | 35% |
The admission criteria vary across the 3 institutes.IIM Lucknow uses a WAT-PI based selection framework, IIM Indore follows a multi-stage process culminating in the PI, while IIM Kozhikode incorporates both WAT and PI into its final assessment.
Overall, the key differences for CAT aspirants are the minimum CAT requirements and the relative importance assigned to CAT, WAT, PI and profile-based components. These criteria can be used to understand how each institute structures its MBA selection process.
IIM Lucknow FAQs
Ques. What is the CAT cutoff for MBA at IIM Lucknow?
Ans. The minimum CAT cutoff for IIM Lucknow MBA is 90 percentile overall and 85 percentile in each section for General candidates. These are qualifying cutoffs, not guaranteed shortlist cutoffs. IIM Lucknow also considers CAT performance, academics, work experience, academic discipline, and gender diversity during selection.
Ques. What was the average package at IIM Lucknow?
Ans. The average package at IIM Lucknow was INR 33.2 LPA in 2026 for PGP and PGP-ABM. The median CTC was INR 32.9 LPA, while the highest domestic CTC was INR 1 crore and the highest international CTC was INR 65 LPA. Consulting received 39% of offers.
Ques. Is work experience required at IIM Lucknow for MBA?
Ans. No, work experience is not mandatory for IIM Lucknow MBA admission. Freshers can apply if they meet the prescribed academic and CAT eligibility requirements. However, work experience is considered during selection and carries weight in the admission process. Thus, both fresh graduates and experienced candidates can apply for the two-year MBA.
Ques. Is hostel compulsory at IIM Lucknow?
Ans. Yes. IIM Lucknow has full-time residential programs, so students are expected to stay on campus. For MBA 2026-28 batch, the total program fee is INR 20.75 lakh, which includes Hostel Maintenance Fee under the Infrastructure Fee. However, mess charges are payable separately on an actual basis each term. The fee also includes a refundable Mess Deposit.
Ques. Does IIM Lucknow provide scholarships?
Ans. Yes, IIM Lucknow provides need-based financial assistance and scholarships to eligible students. In 2024-25, 91 students received need-based scholarships. Students can also apply for Central and State Government and industry-sponsored scholarships, including IDFC First Bank, Aditya Birla, OPJEMS and Central Bank of India scholarships. Scholarship eligibility and amount vary by scheme.
Ques. What is the IIM Lucknow MBA acceptance rate?
Ans. IIM Lucknow does not officially publish a final MBA acceptance rate. For the 2026-28 batch, 2,36,227 candidates expressed interest in MBA program, of whom 3,889 were shortlisted for WAT-PI, making the shortlist rate about 1.65%. Student discussions also highlight that receiving an IIM Lucknow call does not guarantee conversion, as final admission depends on the WAT-PI and final-selection process. Therefore, the actual MBA acceptance rate cannot be reliably calculated from publicly available data.
Ques. Which is better for MBA, IIM Lucknow or IIM Indore?
Ans. IIM Lucknow and IIM Indore offer comparable MBA programs, but their strengths can suit different career priorities. IIM Lucknow has a higher 2026 average CTC of INR 33.2 LPA and median CTC of INR 32.9 LPA, compared with IIM Indore’s INR 29.57 LPA average and INR 27 LPA median in 2025. IIM Lucknow also has a lower 2026-28 program fee of INR 20.75 lakh versus IIM Indore’s INR 24 lakh PGP fee. Students should therefore consider career goals, preferred specialisation, placement roles, fees, admission criteria and campus location rather than choosing solely on rankings or salary figures.





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Comments
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The fees for the courses are mentioned below:
PG Program
PG Program
Fellowship
PGP
Blended Master of Business Administration - (bMBA)
You can regsiter and download the brochure for the detailed information about the course.
BA LLB COLLEGE LIST IN LUCKNOW
Click on the below link to get the list of top and prestigious colleges in Lucknow offering the BALLB Course to the students.
Link: BALLB Colleges in Lucknow
MBA fees in IIM Lucknow
The MBA fee structure of IIM Lucknow is given below:
Admission into most of the courses is based on entrance exams like CAT / GMAT / GRE / GATE / JRF. The candidates for the executive courses can also appear for the PGPWE Entrance Test, conducted by IIM Lucknow if they have not yet appeared for any exam. The final selection into these courses is based on the exam score, Written Ability Test, Personal Interview, and academic and professional profile.
Need-based scholarships are offered by the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIM Lucknow) to students whose household income is less than INR 4 LPA (lakhs per annum). The collective income of the student's income as well as that of their parents and spouse is taken into account. The scholarship can be taken away if the student doesn't do well academically. The need-based scholarship at IIM Lucknow pays for the student's tuition for the entire year, irrespective of caste, religion, or gender.
IIM Lucknow PI is considered one of the toughest thing in selection process of MBA. You need to consider the mentioned below points at the time of preparing of the PI (personal interview):
You need to have passed PG degree in relevant discipline with 55% or more to be eligible.
IIM Lucknow does not offer the MBA in Human Resources course. Check here for the IIM Lucknow Courses.
IIML has not yet released the cutoff for session 2023. You may check here to see the previous years’ cutoff. IIML Cutoff
IIM does not offer B.Pharm. course. You can check here to see the courses offered. IIML Courses
Yes, you can get a rebate on your fees if your family income is below INR 200000 per annum. Also, with good academic performance, you can avail scholarships which will reduce your fees effectively.
Yes, IIM Lucknow provides top-notch faculty members. The faculty of this institute are well-educated and highly qualified in their particular fields. There are a total of 97 faculty members, Out of which 95 hold a Ph.D. degree and the other two have master’s awards in MBA.
To know more, refer to this link: IIM Lucknow Faculty
In the placement drive of 2022, IIM Lucknow has recorded the highest international salary package of Rs 61.59 LPA. Apart from that, the highest domestic salary package stood at Rs 58 LPA. You can check the placement record in detail.
For more information, refer to this link: IIM Lucknow Placements 2022 Report
To be eligible for the MBA course at IIM Lucknow you must have passed your Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks or BE/ B.Tech/ Post B.Sc/ Post Diploma degree from the recognized institute. You are not eligible to apply for the course.
For more information, refer to this link: IIM Lucknow PGP Eligibility