IIM Lucknow offers admission to its various courses based on scores in entrance exams (most preferred: CAT), followed by WAT and PI. The admission process for an MBA usually starts with the registration for CAT in August every year and concludes with the WAT & PI in February or March.

Candidates need to have passed graduation with at least 50% marks to be eligible for the admission process. They also need to secure a minimum 90 percentile(Overall) in CAT to be considered for the subsequent admission process at IIM Lucknow. The important details for admission to various popular courses are as follows-

Read More: IIM Lucknow MBA Admission Policy 

1. IIM Lucknow MBA Admission 2026
2. IIM Lucknow Executive MBA Admissions 2026
3. IIM Lucknow Admission FAQs

IIM Lucknow MBA Admission 2026

IIM Lucknow offers MBA, MBA (ABM) at its Lucknow campus, and MBA (SM) at Noida Campus. Candidates need to select IIM Lucknow in CAT registration form to be considered for admission to MBA and MBA (ABM) program. For MBA (SM), candidates need to fill out an additional form available at the official website. The detailed admission information are given below-

IIM Lucknow MBA Admission Dates 2026

CAT Entrance Exam 2026

IIM Lucknow MBA Eligibility Criteria

Note: MBA (SM) is offered at Noida Campus of IIM Lucknow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: Can final year students apply for IIM Lucknow admission?

Ans: Yes, final year undergraduate students are eligible to apply. However, they must complete their degree requirements before joining the program.

Ques: Is work experience mandatory for PGP admission at IIM Lucknow?

Ans: No, work experience is not mandatory for the PGP program at IIM Lucknow. However, it adds value during the selection process and freshers are equally welcome.

IIM Lucknow CAT Cutoff 2025

IIM Lucknow uses CAT score as the primary selection criterion for MBA admission. Candidates need to have secured a minimum overall and sectional CAT cutoff percentile to get shortlisted for the subsequent admission process (WAT & PI). The minimum cutoff percentile for various category students of CAT 2025 is given below-

*Note: The above percentile is just a minimum cutoff percentile, the final cutoffs for interview calls are typically higher than these qualifying percentiles.

See what Ritvik kaushal, PGPM (Agri-Business) student at IIM Lucknow has to say about admission process

In his words: “The foremost part is clearing the CAT. On average, a percentile of 98+ is required to get shortlisted for the interview process. A round of WAT ( Writing ability test) and personal interview follows the shortlisting. With reservation the CAT percentile required lowers down to 85+ for ABM and 92+ for MBA but after that the process is same for everyone. Application is released every year around October with an average application fee of 3000 bucks. The difficulty level is quite high thus rigorous preparation is required”. To read more about his review, Click Here

Frequently Asked Question

Ques. What is the expected CAT percentile for getting a call from IIM Lucknow?

Ans. While the qualifying cutoff is 90 percentile, candidates typically need 95+ percentile to secure an interview call in the General category due to high competition.

IIM Lucknow MBA Batch Profile

• Candidates with profile diversity (female or non-engineering) can get shortlisted at slightly lower CAT cutoffs (e.g., 90th overall qualifying, but effective 92-95 vs. 97+ for others).
• Conversely, engineering males or freshers need higher CAT percentiles (97-99+) to compete, as they lack diversity boosts and must excel in academics (20% weight) and work exp (10%) for final admission, where PI (40%) amplifies profile gaps.

The following infographic shows the batch profile of PGP (2024-26).

IIM Lucknow MBA Selection Process

The admission process at IIM Lucknow comprises three distinct stages, which are as follows-

Stage 1: Initial Shortlisting Based on CAT Score

Candidates are shortlisted based on CAT performance, meeting both sectional and overall percentile requirements. The three sections evaluated are:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Stage 2: Shortlisting for WAT-PI Round

IIM Lucknow uses various parameters for shortlisting candidates for WAT & PI process. The weightage criteria of various parameters are given below-

• CAT Score: 60 points
• Class 12 Marks: 10 points
• Graduation Marks: 10 points
• Work Experience: 10 points
• Diversity Factors: 10 points (5 for gender diversity + 5 for academic diversity).

Stage 3: Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI)

Written Ability Test (WAT):

• Duration: 30 minutes.
• Essay writing on current affairs or business topics.

Personal Interview (PI):

• Minimum passing requirement: 12 out of 40 marks.
• Candidates not clearing this threshold are eliminated regardless of other scores.

Final Selection Weightage:

• CAT Score: 30%
• Personal Interview: 40%
• Written Ability Test: 10%
• Class 12 Marks: 5%
• Graduation Marks: 5%
• Work Experience: 5%
• Diversity Factors: 5%

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: How important is the Personal Interview in the final selection for MBA courses at IIM Lucknow?

Ans: Personal Interview carries the highest weightage (40%) in the final selection for MBA courses at IIM Lucknow, making it the most critical component. Strong performance can compensate for lower CAT scores.

Ques: What topics are usually asked in WAT at IIM Lucknow?

Ans: WAT topics typically cover current affairs, business scenarios, social issues, and contemporary challenges. Recent topics have included digital transformation, sustainability, and policy decisions.

IIM Lucknow Executive MBA Admissions 2026

IIM Lucknow offers Executive MBA for candidates having a certain year of work experience. The important details regarding the courses are as follows-

Conclusion

• Admissions at IIM Lucknow are highly competitive. For General-category candidates, the institute typically sets a 90 percentile overall CAT cutoff for shortlisting, while final admits often fall in the 97–99+ percentile range. Selection considers CAT performance, academic consistency, work experience, diversity factors, and WAT–PI scores. Applicants with strong academics (80%+), 1–3 years of relevant work experience, and demonstrated leadership or project involvement hold a clear edge.
• To maximize your chances, focus on rigorous CAT preparation, maintain strong academic performance, gain meaningful work exposure, and build a well-rounded profile through internships, extracurriculars, and communication skills.

IIM Lucknow Admission FAQs

Ques. Does having work experience improve my chances of getting selected at IIM Lucknow?

Ans. Yes, while fresh graduates are admitted every year, applicants with 1–3 years of relevant work experience often receive additional points during the admission process at IIM Lucknow. Quality matters more than duration—strong projects, responsibility, and relevant exposure can significantly enhance your PI performance.

Ques. What academic profile helps in getting an interview call from IIM Lucknow?

Ans. A strong academic record—typically 80%+ in 10th and 12th, and a competitive graduation score—can improve shortlist chances at IIM Lucknow. Students from non-engineering backgrounds also benefit from diversity points, improving their odds with similar CAT scores (90 percentile).

Ques. What is the admission process for the Executive MBA programs at IIM Lucknow?

Ans. The candidates will have to appear for any of the exams like the CAT/ GMAT/ GRE/ PGPWE Entrance Exam. If they have cleared the cut-off then they will be shortlisted for Written Ability Test and the personal interview. The candidates will be evaluated based on their test scores, WAT, PI, and academic and professional profiles for the final selection.

Ques. Is it possible to complete the EFPM program on a part-time basis at IIM Lucknow?

Ans. Yes, EFPM is a part-time, non-residential program offered by IIM Lucknow. Classes during the first year are held with PGPWE students on alternate weekends. During the second year, three campus visits of 21 days’ duration each are needed to finish the coursework.