IIM Lucknow - Indian Institute of Management

The answer to this question of whether an average student can get into IIM can be both yes and no depending on the definition of an average student.

• Based on Academics (Class 10/ Class 12/ Graduation): While a student with average scores in Class 10, Class 12 and graduation with a good CAT score certainly has good chances of getting a call from IIM-A, chances are less for someone with an average CAT score.
• Based on student category (General or Reserved): While it is tough for a General category average student to grab a seat at IIM due to high score requirements, a reserved category student can get admission being at average scores as well.
• Based on past work experience, diversity and other factors: Gender and academic diversity is also a factor on which students are shortlisted at IIM. IIMs judge the past academic category based on the degree obtained by the students before MBA and then a weightage is allotted based on that. For Engineers, the percentage for scoring the highest marks is higher as compared with other streams
• Performance in selection rounds: Once you make it to the final selection rounds, i.e., AWT/PI process, it can be considered a fresh start. At this stage, students can forget their past average-ness but definitely require good grasp over the past subjects as academics-related questions are asked in the interview.

Based on the above factors, it can be considered that while getting into top Management institutes, such as IIM is extremely tough, the past performance, CAT performance, student category and a lot of factors can be the reasons for a student to receive that final call.

Course fees is one of the important parameters to be considered while finalising a college. A comparison of MBA fee at IIM Lucknow with similarly ranked colleges by NIRF is tabulated below:

*The fee mentioned above is taken from multiple official/unofficial sources, hence is indicative.

IIM Lukcnow placement report does not mention lowest package secured by its students. However, highest, average and median packages have been revealed for PGP, PGP-ABM and IPMX courses.

Candidates seeking admission IIM Lucknow PGP course need to complete the CAT application process. For some other courses, aspirants need to directly apply through the institute's official website. For more details, check out CAT application process. 

Follow the steps provided below to fill the application form. 

1- Aspirants must visit the IIML official website. 

2 - Select the course and 'Apply Now'.

3 - Read the instructions and register with the basic details.

4 - Fill the application form.

5 - Upload the documents and pay the application fee.

6: Submit the application form.

According to unofficial sources, IIM Lucknow alumni are primarily working in the Business Development sector with a 28% share. The below pie chart illustrates the detailed sector-wise distribution of alumni:

NOTE: The sectors involved in the 'Others' category are Engineering, Information Technology, and Consulting.

Indian Institute of Management Lucknow's PGP placements are decent. IIM Lucknow average package for PGP and PGP-ABM in 2026 was INR 33.2 LPA. The highest Domestic Salary for PGP and PGP-ABM in 2026 was INR 100 LPA.

Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow has been ranked at the seventh spot in the NIRF 2024 rankings. Moreover, as per the media reports, the summer placements for batch 2024-26 was concluded with all 576 PGP and PGP ABM students receiving internship offers. The highest domestic stipend stood at INR 3.95 lakh per month and the highest international stipend offered was INR 1.75 lakh per month. Additionally, the IIM Lucknow average and median stipends stood at INR 1.43 lakh per month and INR 1.50 lakh per month, respectively. 

The average package offered in 2024 placements stood at INR 30 LPA for PGP and PGP ABM, INR 20.14 LPA for PGP SM, and INR 25.53 LPA for IPMX. 

Check below what students have to say about IIM Lucknow MBA:

IIM Lucknow IPMX average package in 2026 was INR 27.65 LPA, and the median package was INR 27 LPA. Many top companies take part in the placements drive. Check out the packages offered during IIM Lucknow IPMX placements 2026 from the table below:

No, CAT is not mandatory for admission to PhD/FPM in IIM Lucknow. It is one of the accepted examinations. Indian Institute of Management Lucknow admit candidates to FPM course with a valid score of GATE/GRE/GMAT or JRF/SRF (UGC/CSIR/ICAR) exams. Further, apart from this, it is also necessary that each aspirant fulfil the course-specific eligibility requirements. Candidates shortlisted based on exam score are also required to go through an interview round.

Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow provides admission to FPM courses based on GMAT/CAT/GRE/CSIR NET score followed by a personal interview round. IIM Lucknow also offers Fellowship Programme for Management to students with a master's degree. Apart from the FPM course, this Management institute also offers a part-time non-residential Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM).

Yes, CAT is accepted for IIML PGPWE course. Admission to PGPWE course is entrance-based. CAT is not compulsory to get admission in this course. Along with CAT, the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow also accepts GRE, GMAT and GATE scores for providing admission. After passing any of the required entrance exams, candidates can apply for admission by visiting the IIML official website. 

Yes, IIM Lucknow MBA admission is based on candidates' performance in their Class 12 marks along with other parameters. Indian Institute of Management Lucknow offers admission to its flagship PGP course on the basis of valid CAT scores, followed by a Written Ability Test and Personal Interview (WAT-PI) round. Candidates will be shortlisted for WAT-PI on the basis of their CAT 2024 score, previous academic performance, and other criteria. 

Admission to PGPWE or Executive MBA course is based on CAT,  GMAT and GATE score. Candidates are shortlisted for the WAT and PI round on the basis of their performance in the CAT, scholastic achievement and relevant work experience. CAT is the computer-based test conducted for providing admission to PGPWE course. 

Yes, there are multiple job options available for candidates after completing the FPM programme. The common ones are lecturership and research work. Apart from this, candidates can also apply for private jobs at senior managerial level. Some of the popular job profiles for FPM pass outs are Relationship Manager, Project Manager, Management Executive, etc. In addition, the list of top recruiters include HCL, HDFC Bank, Britannia Industries, etc. Read more about FPM course and career scope, here.

IIM Lucknow has released the summer placement reports for batch 2025-27. Highest stipend offered was INR 3.15 lakh.

Check key highlights of IIM Lucknow summer placements from the table below:

 The students of the PGP and PGP - ABM batch 2026 secured 580 job offers in the academic year 2025-26. The highest and average package offered to the PGP and PGP - ABM students was INR 65 LPA and INR 33.2 LPA. Check out the table for more clarity on IIM Lucknow placements:

Check out average salary offered during IIM Lucknow placements between 2024 and 2026:

For admission PhD/FPM in IIM Lucknow, aspirants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Eligible candidates can download the application from the IIM Lucknow official website. After filling out the application, it has to be sent by post to the authorities. Further, applicants are shortlisted for the interview round based on merit in CAT/GATE/GRE/GMAT or JRF/SRF (UGC/CSIR/ICAR). The final seat allotment is carried out on the basis of candidates' overall performance in the selection rounds and academic records. A selection list shall be released and the candidates are also informed over mail or SMS.

The syllabus for two-year PGP-SM course of IIM Lucknow is curated with core topics that makes candidates industry ready. An integrated project is also part of the course curriculum. Mentioned below are some of the topics/ subjects that are covered in the first year of the programme:

• Managerial Economics
• Principles of Sustainable Management
• Macroeconomic Environment
• Financial Decision Making
• Information Systems
• Strategic Management, etc. 

From the second year of IIM Lucknow PGP -ABM course, the candidates have to study compulsory subjects. There are nearly nine compulsory subjects in the course curriculum. Mentioned below are the IIM Lucknow PGP-ABM compulsory courses:

• Agribusiness Project Management
• Agricultural Input Marketing
• Strategic Management
• Rural Research Methods
• Supply Chain Management in Agribusiness
• New Venture Planning in Agribusiness
• Field Work
• Risk Management in Agribusiness
• International Trade in Agricultural Products