Post Graduate Programme in Management (Working Executives)

The Post Graduate Programme in Management for Working Executives (PGPWE) is a two-year part-time MBA program offered by IIM Lucknow at its Noida Campus, designed for mid-level professionals and working executives. The program spans 24 months with a total fee of INR 11.15 lakhs, which includes tuition, study materials, and an international module. Classes are held on alternate weekends (Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon), allowing professionals to continue their careers while pursuing the degree. The program accepts approximately 60-80 students per batch. PGPWE is offered in part-time mode with weekend classes at the Noida Campus. The program is popular among working professionals seeking career advancement without leaving their jobs, with an average work experience of 5-7 years among admitted candidates.

Admission for the 2026-28 batch is currently open. The application deadline is November 20, 2025. The PGPWE Entrance Exam will be conducted on December 20, 2025 at the Noida Campus. Candidates can also submit valid scores from CAT, GMAT, GRE, or GATE (taken in 2024 or 2025). Interview rounds are expected to be held in January-February 2026. The batch is scheduled to commence in April 2026.

KEY POINTS

• Two-year part-time program with flexible weekend schedule (alternate Fridays to Sundays)
• Designed specifically for working professionals with minimum 3 years of work experience
• International module included in the curriculum for global business exposure
• Strong alumni network with professionals across leading organizations
• Affordable compared to full-time MBA programs at premier institutes
• Balanced curriculum combining core management concepts with practical applications

IIM Lucknow PGPWE Fees

Fee Structure

• Refundable Caution Money: INR 10,000 (refundable at the end of the program).
• Alumni Fee: INR 5,000 (non-refundable).
• Hostel accommodation is optional for PGPWE students as classes are held on weekends.
• Payment Schedule: Fees are paid in installments across 7 terms.
• First installment (INR 70,000) is due at the time of admission confirmation, followed by installments in each term.
• Term-wise Payment: Term 1: INR 1,58,000; Term 2: INR 1,48,000; Term 3: INR 1,48,000; Term 4: INR 1,48,000; Term 5: INR 1,48,000; Term 6: INR 1,48,000; Term 7: INR 1,48,000.
• No EMI options are officially provided; however, students may explore external financing through banks and financial institutions.

IIM Lucknow PGPWE Admission 2026

College-Specific Dates for 2026-28 Batch

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA
• Minimum of 3 years full-time post-graduation work experience as on March 31, 2026
• Valid score from CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE (2024 or 2025), or PGPWE Entrance Exam

Admission Process:

• Online application submission with work experience details and statement of purpose
• Submission of valid entrance exam score (CAT/GMAT/GRE/GATE or PGPWE Entrance Exam)
• Shortlisting based on academic profile and work experience
• Personal Interview round to assess managerial potential and career goals
• Final selection based on composite evaluation of all components
• Acceptance of admission offer and submission of acceptance fee

IIM Lucknow PGPWE Scholarships 2026

Available Scholarships

• Scholarship applications are processed during the admission cycle.
• Candidates must submit financial documentation for need-based scholarship consideration.
• Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on entrance exam score and interview performance.
• Application deadlines for scholarships align with admission deadlines.
• Scholarships are non-transferable and valid only for the admitted batch.

IIM Lucknow PGPWE Placement 2026

Placement Statistics

PGPWE graduates typically transition to senior management roles including Project Manager, Senior Analyst, Operations Manager, and Business Development roles. Major recruiters include companies from IT, Finance, Consulting, and Manufacturing sectors. The program is particularly valued by professionals seeking to transition from technical to management roles.

IIM Lucknow PGPWE FAQs

Ques. How does the weekend schedule work for PGPWE, and can I manage it while working full-time?

Ans. PGPWE classes are held on alternate weekends from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon at the Noida Campus. This means you attend classes every other weekend, allowing you to continue working during weekdays. The program spans 7 terms over 2 years, with each term typically lasting 8-10 weeks. Most working professionals successfully manage both their jobs and studies by planning their work schedules around the weekend classes. However, you should discuss this with your employer beforehand to ensure flexibility during exam periods and project submissions.

Ques. What is the difference between PGPWE and full-time MBA programs like PGP at IIM Lucknow?

Ans. PGPWE is a part-time program designed for working professionals with a minimum of 3 years of work experience, while PGP is a full-time program for fresh graduates or those with limited work experience. PGPWE costs INR 11.15 lakhs compared to PGP's higher fees, and the curriculum is tailored to address challenges faced by working managers. PGPWE students bring diverse industry experience to classroom discussions, enriching peer learning. However, PGP offers more intensive learning, better placement outcomes, and higher average salary increases. The choice depends on your career stage and ability to commit full-time to studies.

Ques. Is the PGPWE entrance exam difficult, and what is the cutoff score?

Ans. The PGPWE Entrance Exam is designed to assess basic quantitative, verbal, and reasoning skills relevant to management education. It is generally considered less difficult than CAT but requires adequate preparation. The exam is conducted at the Noida Campus in December. However, you can also submit valid scores from CAT, GMAT, GRE, or GATE (taken in 2024 or 2025) instead of taking the PGPWE exam. Cutoff scores vary based on the number of applicants and their performance. IIM Lucknow does not publish exact cutoff scores, but typically scores above 60-70 percentile in the entrance exam are competitive for admission.

Ques. Can I pursue PGPWE if I have less than 3 years of work experience?

Ans. No, the minimum work experience requirement of 3 years full-time post-graduation work experience as on March 31, 2026 is strictly enforced. The program is specifically designed for mid-level professionals, and this requirement ensures that the cohort has sufficient experience to contribute meaningfully to classroom discussions and case studies. If you have less than 3 years of experience, you should wait until you meet the requirement or consider other MBA programs designed for early-career professionals.

Ques. What is the international module in PGPWE, and is it mandatory?

Ans. The international module is a mandatory component of the PGPWE curriculum, typically conducted during Term 5 (the second year). It includes a two-week international immersion experience where students visit a foreign business school or participate in international business case studies. The module is designed to provide global business exposure and networking opportunities with international business leaders. The cost of the international module is included in the total fees of INR 11.15 lakhs. All admitted students must participate in this module as it is a core part of the curriculum.

Ques. How are placements handled for PGPWE graduates, and do companies actively recruit from this program?

Ans. PGPWE has a placement rate of 85-90%, with most placements occurring through campus recruitment drives and alumni networks. However, placement dynamics differ from full-time programs because many PGPWE students are already employed and seek internal promotions or role changes within their current organizations. Companies actively recruit PGPWE graduates for senior management positions, particularly in Finance, IT, Consulting, and Operations sectors. The average salary increase post-MBA is 30-50%, which is lower than full-time programs but significant considering students continue working during the program. Many graduates transition to new industries or functions, leveraging their IIM degree for career advancement.