IIM Lucknow Admission Criteria 2026-28: Official Selection Policy Explained

26 December, 2025

Radhika Joshi

IIM Lucknow has released admission criteria for the 2026-2028 batch. With its rigorous two-stage selection process and holistic evaluation approach, understanding the admission policy is crucial for success. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about the IIM Lucknow admission process for the 2026-28 batch across all three programs: MBA, MBA-ABM and MBA-SM.

The Two-Stage IIM Lucknow Selection Process

IIM Lucknow follows a comprehensive two-stage selection process that evaluates candidates holistically, going beyond just CAT scores.

Stage 1: Shortlisting for WAT-PI

This stage determines who gets called for the Writing Ability Test and Personal Interview.

Stage 1a: Meeting the Eligibility Cutoffs

The first hurdle is clearing the minimum CAT percentile requirements. These vary by category and program. Here’s the complete breakdown:

Table 1: Minimum Sectional and Total Cut-off Percentile for Shortlisting for WAT-PI

Category	MBA				MBA-ABM				MBA-SM
	VARC	DILR	QA	Total	VARC	DILR	QA	Total	VARC	DILR	QA	Total
General	85	85	85	90	80	80	80	85	80	80	80	85
EWS	77	77	77	82	72	72	72	77	72	72	72	77
NC-OBC	77	77	77	82	72	72	72	77	72	72	72	77
SC	55	55	55	65	55	55	55	65	55	55	55	60
ST	50	50	50	60	50	50	50	55	50	50	50	55
PwD	50	50	50	60	50	50	50	55	50	50	50	55

VARC = Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension; DILR = Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning; QA = Quantitative Ability

Key Point: Remember, for MBA-SM, there’s an additional eligibility requirement of minimum 24 months of work experience.

Stage 1b: The Composite Score Calculation

Once you clear the cutoffs, IIM Lucknow calculates a composite score out of 100 based on multiple factors. Here’s the detailed breakdown:

Table 2: 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] × 10, 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	Normalized as per Academic Discipline: (i) Engineering; (ii) Science; (iii) Commerce; (iv) Arts; (v) Others
Work Experience (WE)	10	0	10	For MBA: If x > 6 months, WE = min{(x – 6) × 0.50, 10} For MBA-ABM: WE = 0 For MBA-SM: If x > 24 months, WE = min{(x – 24) × 0.50, 10} Where x = Number of completed months of work experience as of July 31, 2025
Diversity Factor (DFa): Academic Discipline	5	20*	5	For MBA/MBA-SM: Non-Engineering bachelor’s degree = 5 points For MBA-ABM: Specific disciplines listed in Table 3 = 20 points
Diversity Factor (DFb): Gender	5	5*	5	Female candidates = 5 points
TOTAL COMPOSITE SCORE	100	100	100

Note: For MBA-ABM, the maximum marks for diversity factors (DFa + DFb) cannot exceed 20.

Important Notes:

For candidates in their final year, marks up to one year before final examinations will be considered (e.g., up to 2nd year for a 3-year degree, up to 3rd year for a 4-year degree)
Candidates must complete all degree requirements by June 30, 2026
Only full-time work experience after graduation is considered
Work experience entered during CAT 2025 registration is considered final and will be verified with relevant documents

Stage 2: Final Selection

Candidates who perform well in WAT and PI move to the final selection stage, where scores are recalculated with different weightages.

Table 4: Weights for Final Score Calculation After the WAT-PI Stage

S. No.	Component	Weight (MBA & MBA-SM)	Weight (MBA-ABM)
1	Common Admission Test (CAT)	30	35
2	Academic Performance (12M + GM)	5 + 5 = 10	5 + 5 = 10
3	Diversity Factor (DFa + DFb)	5	5
4	Work Experience	5	NA
5	Writing Ability Test (WAT)	10	10
6	Personal Interview (PI)	40	40
	TOTAL FINAL SCORE	100	100

Critical Requirement: You must score at least 12 out of 40 in the Personal Interview to be considered for admission. Failing to meet this threshold eliminates you from the final merit list, regardless of your performance in other areas.

Key Changes from Stage 1 to Stage 2:

CAT score weightage drops from 60 to 30 points (35 for MBA-ABM)
Personal Interview becomes the most crucial component at 40 points
Writing Ability Test adds a new 10-point evaluation
Other components (academics, diversity, work experience) maintain relatively lower weightages

How to Prepare for the IIM Lucknow Admission Process?

Here’s how to use the admission policy to your advantage:

Aim above the bare minimum
Cutoffs only get you into a large pool. For the flagship MBA, aim for at least 95+ overall and 90+ in each section to be truly competitive.
Keep all three sections strong
You can’t afford to ignore any section because of sectional cutoffs. Many candidates with a 99 overall have missed out just because they were 1 percentile short in one section.
Know your category
Be clear about which category you belong to and the corresponding cutoffs. If you’re a PwD candidate, make sure your documents are complete and valid so you get the benefits you are entitled to.
Take academics seriously
Your Class 12 and graduation marks count in both stages. If you’re still in college, focus on scoring well now; your marks up to the penultimate year will be considered.
Think of work experience strategically
For the regular MBA, work experience gives only limited points (up to 10 points in Stage 1 and 5 in Stage 2). Its real value is in helping you perform better in interviews and contribute more in class.
Keep documents ready and organized
Have all mark sheets, degree certificates, work experience letters, pay slips, and bank statements in order. IIM Lucknow is strict about verifying work experience, so clean documentation can save you from last-minute trouble.

Post-CAT: Form Filling

Post-CAT: Form Filling

Special forms for MBA-ABM and MBA-SM
If you’re interested in MBA-ABM or MBA-SM, you’ll need to fill out an additional, program-specific form. This has to be submitted before the deadline. If you miss it, you’re automatically out of the running for these programs, even if you meet all the other criteria.
Double-check your work experience details
The work experience you enter when registering for CAT is what IIM Lucknow will use for the entire admission process. You don’t get to change it later. Make sure it’s accurate and matches your documents, any mismatch during verification can lead to disqualification.
Keep an eye on the official website
IIM Lucknow shares most updates through its official website. After the CAT results are out, keep checking regularly for shortlist announcements, form-filling windows, and deadlines so you don’t miss anything important.

IIM Lucknow Program-Specific Considerations

For MBA-ABM Aspirants

If you have a background in agriculture, life sciences, veterinary science, or rural studies, the MBA-ABM program can be a great fit. Thanks to the academic diversity factor, you can earn up to 20 points in Stage 1. This can help make up for a slightly lower CAT score compared to general MBA applicants.

Table 3: Academic Disciplines (AD) Eligible for MBA-ABM Program Diversity Points

The following disciplines qualify for the 20-point academic diversity factor in MBA-ABM:

Category	Disciplines Included
Agriculture	Agriculture, Agronomy, Soil Science, Agricultural Biochemistry, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Entomology, Plant Pathology
Life Sciences	Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biotechnology Engineering, Botany, Home Science, Life Science, Zoology
Animal Sciences	Veterinary Science, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Dairy Science
Food & Agricultural Engineering	Agricultural Engineering, Dairy Technology, Food Technology, Food Technology & Management
Environmental Sciences	Forestry, Horticulture
Rural Studies	Rural Studies, Rural Sociology, Rural Cooperatives, Rural Banking

IIM Lucknow Admission Criteria: Final Thoughts

The IIM Lucknow admission process looks at you as a whole person, not just your test scores. A strong CAT score gets you noticed, but what really matters is the full picture: your academic record, relevant work experience, diversity, communication skills, and how you perform in the interview.
Start early, understand how each stage is evaluated, and be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Work on improving weaker areas instead of ignoring them.
Above all, be yourself in the interview. IIM Lucknow wants future leaders who are not only good on paper but also bring fresh perspectives, real enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to contribute to their peers and to society.
Getting into IIM Lucknow is tough, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. With focused preparation and the right mindset, you can significantly improve your chances of joining one of India’s top management institutes.
All the best for your application!