IIM Lucknow Admission 2025 - Selection Criteria, Process & Eligibility

Candidates must go for IIM Lucknow registration as the first step for admission. Candidates who have already applied for CAT will be provided admission directly without filling out the IIM Lucknow application form again. Candidates will have to fill in various details during registration including personal details, educational qualification details, work experience details, and so on. Candidates can check below how to fill out the IIM Lucknow application form:

How to Apply for IIM Lucknow Admission?

Step 1: Visit the official website.

Step 2: Select the course for which you wish to apply and click on the ‘Apply Now’ option.

Step 3: Fill out the application form and enter the details like name, select course, etc.

Step 4: Upload the required documents.

Step 5: Pay the application fee to submit your IIM Lucknow application form.

*Important Note: Candidates who have applied for CAT exam need not apply for IIM Lucknow admission again.

List of Documents Required to Apply for IIM Lucknow Admission 2026

• Scanned copy of your photograph (passport size, white background)
• Scanned copy of your signature
• Class 10th mark sheet
• Class 12th mark sheet
• Graduation mark sheets (all semesters)
• Degree certificate
• Work experience certificate(s) (if applicable)
• GMAT/GRE scorecard (if applicable)
• Letters of recommendation (LORs) (if applicable)

The MBA admission for 2026 at IIM Lucknow begins with CAT 2025, targeting candidates with strong academic backgrounds. Shortlisted applicants undergo WAT and PI rounds in February-March 2026 after results are declared in January, assessing leadership and analytical skills. The two-year PGP programme commences in June 2026, welcoming 456 students to its Lucknow campus.

• Applications close on September 13, 2025, with a fee of Rs. 2,500 for CAT registration.
• Diversity factors like gender and academic discipline add up to 5% to the composite score.
• Hostel facilities costing Rs. 1.5 lakh annually are optional but enhance campus living.

The PGP-ABM admission at IIM Lucknow for 2026 targets agribusiness leaders with a bachelor's degree and 50% marks for general category. Shortlisting uses CAT 2025 scores scaled at 60% alongside academic percentiles. Special form submission by January 2026 deadline ensures consideration for this 120-seat programme. Final selection integrates WAT on sector topics and PI probing rural market acumen.

• Agribusiness diversity awards up to 20 points for agriculture-related backgrounds.
• No work experience weight in shortlisting, prioritising fresh insights.
• Sectional cutoffs at 80 percentile filter quantitative aptitude for farm analytics.
• Reserved seats allocate 27% OBC, 15% SC, 7.5% ST, and 10% EWS quotas.

PGP-SM entry demands 24 months post-graduation work experience plus 50% bachelor's aggregate for general applicants. Shortlisting blends CAT 2025 at 60% with experience credits up to 10 points. This 60-seat sustainability programme requires dedicated form by January 2026. Selection culminates in WAT on ethical dilemmas and PI exploring corporate responsibility visions.

• Sustainability focus grants diversity for environment-related qualifications.
• Work tenure calculated till July 2026 for maximum scoring.
• Minimum 85 overall CAT qualifies profiles for green management tracks.
• Quotas ensure 27% OBC, 15% SC, 7.5% ST, 10% EWS representation.

The MBA-WE (Working Executive) admission at IIM Lucknow for 2026 begins with applications opening in September. Candidates are evaluated through a detailed profile assessment and personal interviews tailored for working professionals. The programme starts in January 2026, offering a flexible schedule for career advancement.

• Special orientation sessions are held to integrate working executives into the cohort.
• Online support systems assist with balancing work and study commitments.
• Industry-specific case studies are introduced to enhance practical learning.

The IPMX admission for 2026 opens in two phases starting August 18, 2025, requiring a valid GMAT or GRE score alongside five years of post-qualification work experience. Shortlisted candidates attend WAT and PI rounds in November 2025 or January 2026 at multiple cities including Noida. The one-year programme launches in the first week of April 2026, accommodating up to 110 executives globally.

• Phase 1 applications close October 17, 2025, with offers by December 15, 2025 for early commitment.
• Total fees reach Rs. 26 lakh plus Rs. 25,000 for caution and alumni, covering international immersion except airfare.
• Final merit weighs entrance scores at 30%, profile at 30%, WAT at 10%, and PI at 30%.

BMBA admission 2026 targets professionals with 3 years of work experience, accepting CAT, GRE, or GMAT scores from September 2020 to August 2025. Applications close August 31, 2026 tentatively, followed by online interviews in September for composite score evaluation. The blended two-year degree begins September 26, 2026, blending live online sessions with on-campus modules.

• Rs. 2,000 application fee leads to Rs. 14 lakh tuition, plus optional Rs. 80,000 for twin-sharing accommodation during terms.
• No NOC needed, but experience certificates verify eligibility for the flexible format suiting full-time careers.
• Selection emphasises academic records and interviews without specified cutoffs for the centre-based tests.

The PhD admission at IIM Lucknow for 2026 opens with applications in October, targeting research enthusiasts. Selection involves a comprehensive evaluation of research proposals and past academic achievements. Successful candidates join the programme by July 2026, contributing to cutting-edge management research.

• Workshops are conducted to refine research methodologies for applicants.
• Faculty mentorship begins immediately after selection to guide scholars.
• Access to global research databases is granted upon enrolment.

The Executive Fellowship Programme admission at IIM Lucknow for 2026 starts with applications in November. It focuses on mid-career professionals, assessing their leadership experience through interviews. The programme commences in August 2026, enhancing strategic management skills.

• Networking events connect fellows with industry leaders early on.
• Customised learning modules are designed based on professional backgrounds.
• Alumni support provides career advancement opportunities post-admission.

The IIM Lucknow admission login portal activates post-CAT results at iiml.ac.in/admissions. Users enter CAT ID and password to access dashboards. It hosts forms for WAT-PI details and document uploads. Secure sessions protect sensitive profile data throughout.

• Forgot password links reset access via registered email.
• Dashboard tracks application status from shortlist to offer.
• Upload slots accept mark sheets and experience certificates.
• Helpdesk resolves technical glitches during peak hours.

IIM Lucknow offers admission to postgraduate and doctoral level programmes. All of these courses are available in full time regular mode. IIM Lucknow MBA admission is based on national level entrance exams like CAT and GMAT, followed by a personal interview round. Admission to other courses at IIM Lucknow is done based on CAT followed by WAT and a personal interview round. IIM Lucknow admission process includes several steps such as registration on the official website, filling the application form, appearing for the exam, and others.

• Step 1: Visit IIM Lucknow official site for admission registration - https://www.iiml.ac.in/admission/student_dashboard 
• Step 2: Filling out the application form for IIM Lucknow/ CAT/ GMAT
• Step 3: Appearing for the entrance exam.
• Step 4: Appearing for further selection rounds, such as the written ability test and personal interview. 
• Step 5: Release of category wise merit list based on final composite score.
• Step 6: Release of provisional admission offers.
• Step 7: Payment of IIM Lucknow admission fee to confirm the seats.

IIM Lucknow is expected to set 90 percentile as the overall CAT 2025 cutoff for MBA general category. Sectional thresholds stand at 85 percentile each for VARC, DILR, and QA. MBA-ABM and MBA-SM lower this to 85 overall with 80 sectionals. Actual shortlist cutoffs often exceed qualifying minima based on applicant pool.

• EWS candidates need 82 overall for MBA shortlisting eligibility.
• SC applicants face 65 overall with 55 sectionals for consideration.
• ST and PwD categories require 60 overall and 50 sectionals minimum.
• Cutoffs apply uniformly across MBA variants except SM work mandate.

Eligibility for IIM Lucknow requires a bachelor's degree with 50% aggregate marks for general candidates. Reserved categories receive 5% relaxation in minimum scores. Work experience counts for PGP-SM with a 24-month minimum threshold. Academic diversity favours non-engineers in scoring adjustments.

• Final-year students qualify if they complete degrees by 30 June 2026.
• Composite shortlist score normalises 12th marks by percentile ranks.
• Graduation scores adjust by discipline like commerce or arts baselines.
• Reservation follows SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD quotas as per central rules.

Candidates who qualify for the CAT exam with the minimum cutoff will be called for the IIM Lucknow GD-PI round as the next step. The IIM Lucknow personal interview round evaluates the interpersonal skills, communication, and leadership potential of candidates. Read below to learn more on how to prepare for IIM Lucknow GD-PI after CAT 2023:

Know All About IIM Lucknow Interview

After qualifying for CAT, the next step for IIM Lucknow admission is to appear for a group discussion followed by a personal interview round. IIM Lucknow personal interview round consists of an in-depth conversation about the applicant's background, goals, work experience, and motivations. Meanwhile, the group discussion round evaluates communication skills on diverse topics, ranging from current affairs and business trends to social issues and ethical dilemmas. The weightage of the GD-PI round in IIM Lucknow is 40% with CAT weightage as 60%. Some of the tips and guidelines on cracking IIM Lucknow can be checked below:

How to crack IIM Lucknow Interview?

According to the IIM Lucknow interview experience shared by former applicants, there are several tips for MBA aspirants. As per Rashi Shrivastava, she was sent to Panel - 4 for WAT. She was given 15 minutes for that. After that, she was asked to wait outside the room till she was called for the interview one by one. There was a refreshment facility available like tea, coffee, and biscuits. Atul Kumar Gupta shared that interviewers were grilling every interviewee. They were able to listen to a lot of heated discussions, even from outside. He shared that questions for them varied from behavioral to political and academic. 

Basis the interview experience of many students from the past at IIM Kozhikode, here are the key points that candidates should keep in mind:

• The first question that was asked was “Tell me something about yourself.” While answering this question, candidates should focus on their professional background, skills, and achievements relevant to the position. Briefly mention your personal interests only if they connect to your qualifications.
• According to Rohan Jain, you should revise some main concepts of your undergrad stream. There are less chances that the interviewer is of the same stream that you are, so he or she will normally ask broad general questions on your academic stream, like "What are the new developments going on Jon the field" and so on. But sometimes they may ask questions in detail as well.
• You should be very thorough about your main projects and internships. Interviewer at IIM Lucknow tend to ask in detail what work you had done, because that shows whether you did the project seriously or not.

Gaining entry to IIM Lucknow remains challenging due to its selective process targeting top CAT performers amid surging applications. The 2024 PGP batch achieved 100% placements with an average package of Rs. 32.2 lakh, yielding a strong ROI of over 50% on the Rs. 20.75 lakh investment. Median offers hit Rs. 30 lakh, drawing recruiters like McKinsey and BCG for diverse roles. A 1:10 faculty-student ratio ensures personalised guidance from 100+ experts, while the 200-acre campus boasts advanced libraries, incubators, and sports arenas. These perks, including global exchanges and alumni networks, amplify competition, as only 460 PGP spots open yearly against lakhs of aspirants. Benefits extend to leadership treks and sustainability labs, fostering ethical managers for India's growth story.

• Placement rate of 100% with highest package Rs. 1.15 crore underscores elite outcomes.
• ROI exceeds 150% for freshers via consulting and finance streams.
• Facilities like SCI-FI incubator nurture startups with seed funding access.

Explore more on IIM Lucknow placements for role insights.

IIM Lucknow executive MBA programme is a gateway for students to take admission into this institute without a CAT score. GMAT/ GRE is another entrance exam that is accepted as a substitute for IIM Lucknow IPMX and PGPWE courses. According to the admission process for an MBA executive at IIM Lucknow one should have a valid score in GMAT/GRE and qualify for a written test followed by a personal interview. One important admission requirement for this course is that candidates must have work experience.

Is CAT mandatory to take admission in IIM Lucknow?

No, CAT is not mandatory for admission to IIM Lucknow for IPMX and PGPWE courses. One must note that IIM Lucknow executive admission is based on GMAT/GRE scores. This helps candidates take admission in IIM Lucknow without CAT score. However, it depends on the specific IIM and program.

Admission at IIM Lucknow without CAT

While getting admission into IIM Lucknow's regular MBA programme (PGP) without CAT is impossible, there are two other programmes offered by IIM Lucknow that potentially allow admission without CAT:

1. Integrated Program in Management Excellence (IPMX):

The IPMX programme is a five-year integrated undergraduate course in management designed for students right after Class 12. Applicants are shortlisted based on the IIM Lucknow Entrance Test (LET), followed by a Writing Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). A CAT score is not required for IPMX admission.

2. Post Graduate Programme for Working Executives (PGPWE):

The PGPWE programme is a two-year executive MBA programme for professionals with significant work experience (minimum 3 years). While a valid CAT score is not mandatory, you can submit one along with other application materials like your GMAT/GRE score, academic transcripts, and professional experience details. The final selection is based on a combination of your application, a PGPWE Entrance Exam conducted by IIM Lucknow, and a WAT-PI round.

IIM Lucknow Selection Process

IIM Lucknow Shortlisting Criteria

Candidates can get admission at IIM Lucknow after class 12 to the Integrated Program in Management Excellence (IPMX) program. It is a 5-year integrated undergraduate program in management. Admission to the IMPX course at IIM Lucknow is based on the IIM Lucknow Entrance Test (LET) followed by a Writing Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). CAT score is not required for IPMX. To join IIM Lucknow after 12th, candidates can apply for the IPMX programme. For IIM Lucknow admission after 12th, candidates will have to appear for IIM Lucknow Entrance Test (LET). Candidates who qualify for the exam will have to appear for Writing Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) after LET. IIM Lucknow selection criteria include LET score + WAT + PI scores.

How to get admission in IIM Lucknow for BBA?

IIM Lucknow doesn't offer a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program. However, they do offer a five-year integrated program in management called the IPM (BBA + MBA) through the IPMAT exam. To get admission into this program, the eligibility criteria is mentioned below:

• Minimum 55% marks in class 10 and 12 (HSC) from a recognised board.
• A valid score in the IPMAT exam (conducted by IIM Lucknow and Rohtak).

Selection Process:

• Shortlisting based on IPMAT score (80% weightage) and academic performance (20% weightage).
• Shortlisted candidates will be called for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds.
• Final selection based on combined performance in IPMAT, WAT, and PI.

All candidates must pay the IIM Lucknow application fee while filling out the application form. The registration fee for IIM Lucknow admission is Rs.1000 for MBA programmes. The application fee for CAT is Rs 2,400 for general, EWS, and OBC categories and Rs 1,200 for SC/ ST and PwD categories.

Candidates can check from the table below IIM Lucknow PG application fee details:

IIM Lucknow Application Fee for PG Programmes