IIM Lucknow admission criteria for the PGP 2026-28 batch have been announced and there is no major change in the selection process. IIM Lucknow admission 2026 criteria include 60% CAT 2025 score + 10% academic performance (Class 12 + GM) + Diversity factor + WAT-PI score to get an interview call from IIM L. Minimum CAT 2025 cutoff for all categories - between 80 to 90 (General), 72 - 82 (EWS and NC-OBC), 55-65 (SC), 50-60 for ST and PwD categories for MBA, MBA-ABM and MBA-SM programs.IIM Lucknow CAT call percentile 2025 is expected to be 98+ GEM and 97+ for other categories. IIM Lucknow 2025 admission criteria stage 1 shortlisting includes PI+WAT, based on which the CAT score will be 30% + Academic Performance (12 M + GM) will be 5% each + 5% for Diversity Factor + 5% for Work Exp. and more. Check the complete details on IIM Lucknow selection criteria 2026 in this article.
This Story also Contains
- IIM Lucknow Admission Criteria 2026: Key Highlights
- IIM Lucknow Selection Criteria 2026-28
- Stage 1 IIM Lucknow Interview Call Shortlisting 2026
- Stage 2 - Final IIM Lucknow Admission 2026
- IIM Lucknow Admission Criteria 2026: CAT Cut Offs
- How many students get interview calls from IIM Lucknow?
- IIM Lucknow Eligibility Criteria For MBA 2026-28
- IIM Lucknow MBA Program Fee Structure 2026-28
IIM Lucknow Announces Admission 2026
IIM Lucknow Admission Criteria 2026: Key Highlights
Following are some of the key points in IIM Lucknow shortlisting and final selection criteria for admission to PGP (MBA), PGP (MBA) - ABM and PGP (MBA)-SM.
1268 (Gen), 312 (EWS), 910 (NC-OBC), 792 (SC), 396 (ST) and 236 from PwD categories were shortlisted for IIM Lucknow PI based on their CAT 2023 percentile from over a lakh of applicants for 2024-26 batch.
Out of the above mentioned number, 48.80616 (Gen), 35.4395 (EWS), 38.28033 (NC-OBC), 27.14991 (SC), 19.40983 (ST) and 8.736601 from PwD categories were shortlisted for AWT and PI last year for 2024-26 batch.
IIM Lucknow Selection Criteria 2026-28
To help you understand the complex IIM Lucknow admission process 2026, we have put it together in a simplified manner here:
Stage 1 IIM Lucknow Interview Call Shortlisting 2026
Step 1: Get IIM L PI call based on CAT 2025 score and profile
Step 2: Attend WAT and PI
Step 3: Final selection based on PI-WAT score + CAT 2025 Score + Other factors detailed below
IIM Lucknow PI shortlist 2026 will be released in the 1st or 2nd week of January on the official website, iiml.ac.in listing the names of the CAT 2025 shortlisted candidates. These candidates will then have to attend AWT and personal interview at allotted interview cities to qualify for the final stage.
Stage 2 - Final IIM Lucknow Admission 2026
After the conclusion of the WAT-PI rounds, candidates final scores (out of 100) will be calculated by assigning different weights to the following components:
For MBA & MBA-SM |
CAT Score | 30% |
Academic Performance (Class 12 + Graduation) | 10% |
Diversity Factor (academic + gender) | 5% |
Work Experience | 5% |
WAT | 10% |
PI | 40% |
For MBA-ABM |
CAT Score | 35% |
Academic Performance (Class 12 + Graduation) | 10% |
Diversity Factor (academic + gender) | 5% |
Work Experience | Not considered |
WAT | 10% |
PI | 40% |
In simple words, PI (40%) and CAT scores (30-35%) will have the highest weight, followed by WAT, academics, diversity and work experience.
IIM Lucknow Admission Criteria 2026: CAT Cut Offs
Here are the complete details of each of the above mentioned stages involved in admission to IIM Lucknow for MBA program for 2026 in a detailed manner.
Stage 1 - Shortlisting for Writing Ability Test (WAT) - Personal Interview (PI)
In this stage of IIM Lucknow admissions, candidates will be evaluated on parameters which have been listed below. WAT or Written Ability Test will be a 30-minute essay writing test based on current affairs topics.
All candidates shortlisted for admission to IIM Lucknow, will be based on CAT 2025 score, previous academic performance, and other criteria. Candidates applying for MBA-SM program, will need a minimum work experience of 24 months as an additional eligibility criteria.
Stage 1a IIM Lucknow Selection Criteria 2026: Eligibility Criteria for WAT-PI
Take a look at the following IIM Lucknow sectional and overall CAT cutoff percentile which is required for the IIM Lucknow admission 2026:
Minimum Sectional and Total Cutoff Percentile for Shortlisting for WAT-PI Stage |
Category | MBA | MBA-ABM | MBA-SM |
VARC | DILR | QA | Total | VARC | DILR | QA | Total | VARC | DILR |
General | 85 | 85 | 85 | 90 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 85 | 80 | 80 |
EWS | 77 | 77 | 77 | 82 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 77 | 72 | 72 |
NC-OBC | 77 | 77 | 77 | 82 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 77 | 72 | 72 |
SC | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 | 55 | 55 |
ST | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 55 | 50 | 50 |
PwD | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 55 | 50 | 50 |
VARC= Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension; DILR= Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning; QA= Quantitative Ability
Stage 1b IIM Lucknow 2026 Admission: Calculation of Composite Score for PI Shortlisting
Only those candidates who secure the above-mentioned minimum sectional and total percentiles for the respective category in CAT 2025 will be considered for this stage. The composite scores in Stage 1b will be compared based on the following factors as described below:
Weights Assigned to Various Components for Generating the Shortlist for WAT-PI Stage |
Component | Weight (MBA) | Weight (MBA-ABM) | Weight (MBA-SM) | Method of Scoring |
Scaled CAT Score (CS) | 60 | 60 | 60 | CS = ( Candidate's CAT score Highest CAT score of 2025 ) × 60 |
HSC Marks (12M) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12M = [{Max (P, 80) – 80}/20] x10, where P = Candidate's Class 12th percentile computed based on CAT applicants' pooled data of the past five years for the respective Boards and Disciplines. |
Graduation Marks (GM) | 10 | 10 | 10 | To be normalised as per Academic Discipline: (i) Engineering; (ii) Science; (iii) Commerce; (iv) Arts; (v) Others. GM = [{(Candidates Grad % Score - U/a) x (50/3)} + 50] x 10/100
Marks will be amended to take values between 0-10. (= Mean and =Standard Deviation of the respective Academic Discipline) |
Work Experience (WE) | 10 | 0 | 10 | IF (Prog = MBA & x > 6) | WE = min [(x-6) x 0.50,10} |
ELSE IF (prog = MBA-SBM) | WE= 0 |
ELSE (Prog = MBA-SM & x > 24) | WE = min [(x-24) x 0.50,10} |
Where, x = Number of completed months of work experience as of July 31, 2025 |
Diversity Factor (DFa)
Academic Discipline (AD) | 5 | 20 | 5 | IF Prog = MBA/MBA-SM) & the bachelor-level degree is Non-Engineering | DFa = 5 |
ELSE IF (Prog = MBA-ABM & AD) | DFa = 20 |
ELSE | DFa = 0 |
Diversity Factor (DFb): Gender | 5 | 5 | 5 | IF (Prog = MBA/MBA-ABM/MBA-SM & Gender = Female) | DFb = 5 |
ELSE | DFa = 0 |
Composite Score | 100 | 100 | 100 | - |
Stage 1c IIM Lucknow Selection Criteria 2026: Scheduling for WAT-PI
The composite score of a candidate who will be shortlisted for WAT/PI on the basis of Stage 1b will then be made available on the official website of IIM Lucknow. Thereafter, such candidates will need to fill and submit the WAT-PI online form within the stipulated deadline. Whereas, candidates who fail to submit their WAT-PI online forms will not be considered for the same. No queries in this regard will be entertained by IIM L.
Note: All candidates are advised to check the official website of IIM L once the CAT 2025 results are declared for latest updates related to the admission process.
How many students get interview calls from IIM Lucknow?
Here is the RTI data of 2024-26 batch showing the number of candidates who applied for IIM Lucknow and out of them how many got PI call (category-wise). This data can give CAT 2025 aspirants an idea about the kind of competition they can face for IIM Lucknow admission 2026-28.
Category-wise no. of candidates shortlisted for Interview Round |
Category | General | EWS | NC-OBC | SC | ST | PWD |
No. of candidates who filled the CAT form | 176969 | 14153 | 46590 | 21444 | 5608 | 1085 |
Shortlisted | 1268 | 312 | 910 | 792 | 396 | 236 |
% of Form Filled | 0.72 | 2.2 | 1.95 | 3.69 | 7.06 | 21.75 |
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Category-wise composite score cutoff for shortlisting to interview round |
Category | General | EWS | NC-OBC | SC | ST | PWD |
2024-2026 | 48.80616 | 35.4395 | 38.28033 | 27.14991 | 19.40983 | 8.736601 |
*Source: RTI Data
Stage 2: IIM Lucknow Criteria for Final Selection (MBA/MBA-ABM/MBA-SM)
A candidates’ final score for selection in the MBA/MBA-ABM/MBA-SM programs for the batch 2026-28 will be calculated on the basis of the following weights mentioned below:
Weights for Final Score Calculation after the WAT-PI Stage |
Component | Weight |
MBA & MBA-SM | MBA-ABM |
Common Admission Test (CAT) | 30 | 35 |
Academic Performance (12 M + GM) | 5+5 | 5+5 |
Diversity Factor (DFa + DFb) | 5 | 5 |
Work Experience | 5 | NA |
Writing Ability Test (WAT) | 10 | 10 |
Personal Interview (PI) | 40 | 40 |
Final Score | 100 | 100 |
Note:
The minimum requirement for getting a pass in P1 is 12 out of 40 marks. All names of the candidates who do not pass in P1 will not be included in the final merit list.
Final discretion on the academic category will rest with the IIM Lucknow Admissions Committee.
Reservation policy as prescribed by the Government of India for admission to Central Educational Institutions (CEIs) will be followed for admissions.
Any dispute concerning Admissions for the batch 2026-28 would be subject to the jurisdiction of the competent Courts within the territorial jurisdiction of the city of Lucknow only.
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IIM Lucknow Eligibility Criteria For MBA 2026-28
If a candidate is shortlisted for an interview by any one of the IIMs, they must comply with the following eligibility guidelines, which are mentioned as follows:
Marksheets and Degree Certificates
All eligible students will need to show their marksheets and submit attested copies to prove their eligibility at the time of the interview. Furthermore, if candidates are selected for the programme, the original degree certificates and marksheets of all years, along with their attested copies, will need to be submitted at the time of verification of joining the programme.
Reservation Category Requirements
If one is shortlisted for an interview, belonging to either of the categories (SC, ST, NC-OBC, EWS and PwD), they must show original caste/class or disability certificate and submit a photocopy at the time of interview along with the submission requirements as mentioned in the “marksheets and Degree Certificate’ section.
Candidates in the Final year of Graduation
If shortlisted for an interview, candidates appearing for the bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification examination must provide original certificates from the Principal/Registrar/Director of the University/Institution certifying that the candidate has obtained 50% marks or equivalent (45% in case of candidates belonging to the SC, ST and PwD category) based on their latest grades/marks. He/she must also submit an additional copy of the original certificate at the time of the interview.
Note: All candidates must note that the deadline for submission of the qualifying degree/equivalent marksheets and certificates is December 31, 2026. Non-fulfilment of this condition or submitting incorrect certificates will result in the cancellation of the provisional admission.
IIM Lucknow MBA Program Fee Structure 2026-28
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow will soon release the fee structure for the IIM Lucknow PGP program for the academic batch 2026-28. All those candidates considering taking admission can expect the program fee to be around Rs. 19,00.000 for the whole program. Selected candidates will be able to pay the fee via Demand Draft and Online Transfer.
