IIM Lucknow Admission 2027
Lucknow
AMBA
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IIM Lucknow Admission Overview
IIM Lucknow admission to the PGP, PGP-ABM and PGP-SM depends only on your CAT score and the later rounds. The other courses use other exams, and some of their windows are still open. Pick your route in the tabs, because the IIM Lucknow admission process differs for each one.
CAT 2026 registration closed on 22 September 2026, and the exam is on Sunday 29 November 2026. Clear the CAT percentile bars, get shortlisted, then take the writing test and interview. There is no route to these three courses without CAT.
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How Do I Get Admission to IIM Lucknow?
Appear in CAT, clear the minimum percentiles, and get shortlisted on the composite score. Then attend the writing test and interview, and rank high enough in the final merit list. The IIM Lucknow admission procedure for the MBA does not use any other exam.
Which IIM Lucknow Courses Take Admission Through CAT?
Three courses do. They are the MBA (formally the PGP), the MBA-ABM (agri-business management) and the MBA-SM (sustainable management). The three differ in cutoffs and in work experience rules.
IIM Lucknow Admission Dates 2027
IIM Lucknow admission 2027 starts with CAT on Sunday 29 November 2026. The result is likely in the first week of January 2027. The notice and the table give the dates that matter.
CAT 2026 Registration Closed
22 September 2026The photo, signature and exam city edit window ran from 5 October to 6 October 2026. Read the fee and correction rules on the official CAT website.
Open the CAT Website| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT admit card | From 4 November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 exam | Sunday 29 November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 result | Likely first week of January 2027 |
| Shortlist and interview letters | After the CAT result |
| Writing test and interview | End of February 2027 onward (Batch 2026-28 pattern) |
| Degree requirements for final-year candidates | By 30 June of the joining year |
| Degree mark sheet and certificate | By 31 December of the joining year |
Dates after the CAT result follow the Batch 2026-28 (CAT 2025) cycle. IIM Lucknow has not yet published the Batch 2027-29 calendar.
When Will the IIM Lucknow Admission Details for Batch 2027-29 Come Out?
IIM Lucknow posts the admission policy on iiml.ac.in ahead of the CAT exam. The Batch 2026-28 policy was posted in July 2025. The Batch 2027-29 policy was not on the site on 6 October 2026. Until then, treat the Batch 2026-28 (CAT 2025) rules as the best guide to the IIM Lucknow admission process.
IIM Lucknow Eligibility Criteria 2027
The IIM Lucknow admission criteria ask for a bachelor's degree of three years or more. The same rule applies to the MBA, MBA-ABM and MBA-SM.
50%
Minimum Marks
General and other categories
45%
Minimum Marks
SC, ST and PwD
24 Months
Work Experience
MBA-SM only
- Work experience: The MBA-SM needs 24 months of full-time experience after graduation. The MBA has no minimum. The MBA-ABM takes an agriculture-linked degree, or any degree with 2 years of experience or a strong interest in agriculture.
- Final-year students: They can apply and join provisionally.
- Special form: MBA-ABM and MBA-SM applicants must also submit a special form by the deadline. These IIM Lucknow admission requirements are separate from the CAT form.
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Can Final-Year Students Apply for IIM Lucknow Admission?
Yes. Final-year candidates can join provisionally if they complete all degree requirements by 30 June of the joining year. For Batch 2026-28, the degree mark sheet and certificate are due by 31 December 2026. If you miss the deadline, the provisional admission is cancelled automatically.
Does an Internship Count as Work Experience for IIM Lucknow Admission?
No. Only full-time experience after graduation counts, as on 31 July 2025 for the Batch 2026-28 policy. An internship during your degree is not counted.
IIM Lucknow Entrance Exams 2027
IIM Lucknow admission to the MBA needs CAT, and its other courses accept other exams. The table gives the IIM Lucknow admission requirements for each course in the latest cycle.
| Course | Exam accepted |
|---|---|
| MBA, MBA-ABM, MBA-SM | CAT only |
| PGPWE (2027-29) | GMAT, GRE, CAT or GATE, or the PGPWE entrance test |
| IPMX (2027-28) | Centre-based GMAT or GRE |
| bMBA (2026-28) | CAT, GMAT or GRE, or the bMBA entrance exam |
| BS (AI & BA) | JEE Advanced |
| Ph.D. | CAT, GATE, GRE, GMAT or JRF |
| EFPM (2027) | CAT, GATE, GMAT, GRE or the IIM Lucknow entrance exam |
How to Get Admission in IIM Lucknow After 12th?
Apply to the four-year BS (AI & BA), which takes JEE Advanced scores. You must be an Indian citizen who passed Class 12 in 2025 or 2026 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. You must also be at most 21 years old as on 31 July 2026. These IIM Lucknow admission details are for the 2026-27 cycle. The PGP is a postgraduate course, so it is not open after Class 12.
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Can I Get Direct Admission in IIM Lucknow?
No. IIM Lucknow does not publish any direct admission route. Every seat in the courses above goes through an exam score and the institute's own selection rounds. Treat any offer that skips these steps with caution.
Can I Join IIM Lucknow Without CAT?
Yes, for some courses. The IPMX takes only GMAT or GRE. The PGPWE accepts GMAT, GRE, CAT or GATE, or its own entrance test. The BS (AI & BA) uses JEE Advanced. For the MBA, MBA-ABM and MBA-SM, there is no route without CAT. See the CAT 2026 exam pattern to plan your preparation.
IIM Lucknow Admission Process 2027
The IIM Lucknow admission process for the MBA has six steps, from CAT to the offer. The steps follow the Batch 2026-28 (CAT 2025) policy.
Step 1
Register for CAT
Register for CAT and appear in the exam.
Step 2
Clear the Percentile Bars
Clear the section and overall percentile bars for your category.
Step 3
Get Shortlisted
Get ranked on the shortlisting composite score, which is out of 100.
Step 4
Writing Test and Interview
Attend both if the institute shortlists you.
Step 5
Final Merit Score
Get ranked on the final merit score, which is also out of 100.
Step 6
Fee and Documents
Pay the fee and submit your documents, if you receive an offer.
What Is the IIM Lucknow Admission Procedure for Executive Programmes?
The PGPWE and IPMX use a different path. You apply online with a GMAT, GRE, CAT or GATE score, depending on the course. The institute shortlists you for a writing test and an interview. It then makes offers on the final score. The IPMX runs in three application phases, and the PGPWE in two. Neither sets a minimum score.
IIM Lucknow Selection Criteria 2027
The IIM Lucknow admission criteria use two score formulas, one to shortlist you and one for the final merit list. CAT carries 60 of 100 marks at shortlisting and 30 at the final stage. The tabs show both scores for the MBA and MBA-SM, as in the Batch 2026-28 (CAT 2025) policy.
CAT score: 60
Class 12 marks: 10
Graduation marks: 10
Work experience: 10
Academic discipline diversity: 5
Gender diversity (women): 5
The MBA-ABM gives 35 marks to CAT at the final stage and none to work experience. At the shortlisting stage, it gives up to 20 marks for diversity in total, which includes an agriculture, science or allied degree. A non-engineering bachelor's degree earns 5 marks for academic-discipline diversity in the MBA.
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How Is the IIM Lucknow Admission Score Decided?
The personal interview is the single largest part of the final score, at 40 marks. You must score at least 12 of the 40 marks in the interview. A candidate who fails this bar is left out of the final merit list, whatever the CAT percentile is.
IIM Lucknow Shortlisting and Final Selection 2027
The IIM Lucknow admission procedure has its own shortlisting and interview rounds. The cards show what happens at each stage.
📋iiml.ac.inShortlistThe institute puts the shortlist on its website after the CAT result.✉️DirectInterview LettersInterview letters go directly to the shortlisted candidates.📍6 CitiesTest CentresThe writing test and interview take place in Bangalore, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, New Delhi and Hyderabad.Things People Also Search About
Is There Counselling for IIM Lucknow Admission?
No. You do not take part in any common counselling round in the IIM Lucknow admission process. The institute publishes the final merit list and sends offers to selected candidates. It does not publish a shortlisting ratio or a closing score.
Documents Required for IIM Lucknow Admission 2027
For the IIM Lucknow admission procedure, carry your mark sheets and attested copies to the interview, and your originals when you join. The IIM Lucknow admission requirements for documents are checked at two points. The list below follows the CAT 2025 selection process note for Batch 2026-28.
- Mark sheets: All years or semesters, with attested copies, at the interview.
- Degree certificate: The original and an attested copy, at joining.
- Category certificate: The original and a photocopy, for SC, ST, NC-OBC, EWS and PwD candidates.
- Final-year candidates: A certificate from the university that shows your marks so far.
- Work experience proof: An experience letter, relieving letter, first and last pay slips, and a bank statement.
Is a Drug Test Report Compulsory for IIM Lucknow Admission 2027?
No. The urine test report is voluntary, as the corrigendum below says.
Drug Test Report Made Voluntary
31 July 2026A corrigendum to the offer-letter guidelines made the urine test report voluntary. You may submit a 6-drug panel report from an NABL laboratory, not older than seven days. It goes in a sealed envelope for the Student Wellness Committee and does not affect your admission.
IIM Lucknow Cutoff for Admission 2026
For IIM Lucknow admission to the MBA, General candidates need 90 percentile overall and 85 in each CAT section. These IIM Lucknow admission criteria are the Batch 2026-28 (CAT 2025) bars. Clearing them only puts you in the shortlist pool, and the interview needs at least 12 of 40 marks. The bars for other categories and for the MBA-ABM and MBA-SM are on the cutoff page, which details the IIM Lucknow cutoff requirements for each programme and category.
IIM Lucknow Reservation Criteria 2027
IIM Lucknow admission 2027 reserves seats for SC, ST, NC-OBC, EWS and PwD candidates. The institute follows the central list of the National Commission for Backward Classes for OBC candidates. Reserved-category candidates must show their original certificate at the interview.
15%
SC Seats
Reserved
7.5%
ST Seats
Reserved
27%
NC-OBC Seats
Reserved
Up to 10%
EWS Seats
Reserved
5%
PwD Seats
Horizontal reservation
IIM Lucknow Scholarships for Admitted Candidates
Once you join, PGP students can apply for a need-based scholarship based on family income. It is for one year, with no automatic renewal, and the details are announced after admission.
🎓PGPPGP Need-Based ScholarshipBased on family income. It lasts one year with no automatic renewal. The institute announces the details after admission.💰Ph.D.Ph.D. StipendPh.D. scholars get Rs 35,000 a month in years I and II, and Rs 40,000 a month from year III.🏛️OfficialGovernment SchemesSee the National Scholarship Portal for central and state aid.Open the PortalCommonly asked questions
Answers to what readers ask most often.
Q: Is IIM Lucknow admission 2027 still open?
Not for the MBA. CAT 2026 registration closed on 22 September 2026, so the route for Batch 2027-29 is closed for new applicants. The IPMX, PGPWE and EFPM windows are in the Overview tabs above. Data Sources: IIM Lucknow IPMX, PGPWE and EFPM pages, 2026.
Q: What is the application fee for IIM Lucknow courses?
The CAT 2026 fee is Rs 2,700, or Rs 1,350 for SC, ST and PwD candidates. The PGPWE fee is Rs 1,000 and the IPMX fee is Rs 5,000. The bMBA fee is Rs 2,000 or Rs 3,000, and the BS (AI & BA) fee is Rs 1,000, or Rs 500 for SC, ST, PwD and women. The EFPM fee is Rs 1,000, or Rs 500 for SC and ST candidates. Data Sources: CAT 2026 bulletin and IIM Lucknow programme pages, 2026.
Q: Does IIM Lucknow give extra marks to women applicants?
Yes. Women candidates get 5 marks for gender diversity in the shortlisting score of the MBA, MBA-ABM and MBA-SM. Data Sources: IIM Lucknow admission policy, Batch 2026-28 (CAT 2025).
Q: How many seats does IIM Lucknow have?
The sanctioned postgraduate intake was 621 in 2024-25. The IPMX has about 110 seats and the PGPWE has about 140. IIM Lucknow does not publish seat splits for each category in its admission details. Data Sources: NIRF 2026 data submission and IIM Lucknow programme pages.
Campus location
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
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