IIM Lucknow CAT Cutoff 2026: Expected & Sectional Percentile
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Quick answer: IIM Lucknow's published minimum for General candidates in its flagship MBA is 90 percentile overall and 85 in each of VARC, DILR and QA. That 85 in every section is the highest sectional floor among the IIMs covered in our cutoff series. The detailed policy for the 2027–29 batch was not available when we checked, so the figures below are the latest published pattern and may be revised.
IIM Lucknow CAT cutoff: category-wise (latest published)
| Category | Overall | VARC | DILR | QA |
| General | 90 | 85 | 85 | 85 |
| EWS | 82 | 77 | 77 | 77 |
| NC-OBC | 82 | 77 | 77 | 77 |
| SC | 65 | 55 | 55 | 55 |
| ST | 60 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| PwD | 60 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Eligibility is a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Missing even one sectional floor removes you from the shortlist, whatever your overall percentile.
Cutoff trend
| Batch | CAT used | General overall / each section |
| PGP 2025–27 | CAT 2024 | 90 / 85 |
| PGP 2026–28 | CAT 2025 | 90 / 85 |
| PGP 2027–29 | CAT 2026 | Policy awaited; the CAT 2026 policy may revise it |
How IIM Lucknow's cutoff differs from other IIMs
| IIM | General | overallEach section |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 | 85, 85, 85 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 | 80, 75, 75 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 | 80, 80, 75 |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95 | 85, 85, 85 |
Lucknow's overall number looks lower than Ahmedabad's, but its section floor is just as strict as Ahmedabad's, and a candidate who is weak in one area will be cut even with a high total.
Selection weightage
Shortlist for WAT-PI (indicative pattern)
| Component | Weight |
| CAT score (scaled: your score ÷ highest score × 60) | 60 |
| Class 12 marks | 10 |
| Graduation marks | 10 |
| Work experience | 10 |
| Academic diversity | 5 |
| Gender diversity | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Class 10 marks are not part of this shortlist formula. In the final stage CAT's weight falls to 30 points and the Personal Interview carries about 40, with a Writing Ability Test and profile components making up the remainder.
What this means for your preparation
- Aim for 85+ in every section, not just a big overall percentile. A 99-percentile candidate with an 82 in one section does not clear the floor.
- Graduation marks and work experience carry real weight (10 points each), unlike IIMs that ignore graduation at shortlisting.
- Non-engineers get diversity points, which can matter at the margin.
- Don't treat 90 as a safe target. The percentile at which calls are made isn't published, and portals commonly estimate it in the high 90s.
Check your chances with the CAT College Predictor
Enter your percentile or scaled score, category and work experience in our free CAT College Predictor to see which IIMs and top B-schools are in range. It gives an indicative shortlist; check each institute's official criteria before applying.
Want a profile check? Talk to a MatchToCollege counsellor for a free evaluation.
Compare next: IIM Calcutta cutoff · Top MBA Colleges as per CAT Percentile · IIM Ahmedabad cutoff · IIM Bangalore cutoff
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FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the IIM Lucknow CAT Cutoff 2026?
The IIM Lucknow CAT Cutoff 2026 refers to the overall and sectional CAT percentile requirements considered for admission to the 2027–29 MBA batch. The official qualifying cutoff and the percentile typically needed for a shortlist are different, so candidates should consider both while evaluating their chances.
Q: What is the expected IIM Lucknow CAT Cutoff 2026 for General category?
For General-category candidates, the expected CAT percentile for IIM Lucknow is generally around 98+ for a competitive profile. However, the actual shortlist percentile can vary based on the applicant pool, academic profile, category and other selection criteria.
Q: What is the sectional cutoff for IIM Lucknow CAT 2026?
Candidates need to meet the applicable sectional percentile requirement in VARC, DILR and QA. Meeting the sectional qualifying cutoff alone does not guarantee an interview shortlist.
Q: What CAT percentile is required for IIM Lucknow for OBC candidates?
The applicable qualifying cutoff for OBC candidates is lower than the General-category cutoff. However, the percentile required to actually receive a shortlist can be considerably higher and depends on the admission cycle and candidate profile.
Q: Can I get an IIM Lucknow call with a high CAT percentile but average academics?
A high CAT percentile can strengthen an application, but it does not guarantee a shortlist. IIM Lucknow evaluates candidates using multiple components, so academic record, sectional performance, work experience and other applicable criteria also matter.
Top Colleges Covered in this Blog
With an educational trajectory spanning 42 years since its inception in 1984, Indian Institute of Management Lucknow serves as a prominent seat of learning in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The institution is affiliated with Uttar Pradesh State University and recognized by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) / UGC, imparting rigorous programs anchored in business strategy, financial analytics, corporate governance, and entrepreneurial leadership. The institution maintains robust academic resources including management simulation suites, modern boardroom presentation centers, and incubation hubs, fostering an active student life and practical competencies. Graduates of Indian Institute of Management Lucknow emerge as competent, socially conscious professionals poised to assume impactful roles in diverse professional domains.
Total Fees
₹10L - ₹26.3L
Total Courses
13
Established in 1973, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore is a distinguished institution situated in Bengaluru Urban, Karnataka. Conforming to regulatory norms of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) / UGC through its affiliation with Karnataka State University, the institution offers students an integrated foundation across business strategy, financial analytics, corporate governance, and entrepreneurial leadership. The campus is equipped with management simulation suites, modern boardroom presentation centers, and incubation hubs, creating an immersive environment for scholarly development and collaborative innovation. By combining academic discipline with practical exposure, it equips emerging scholars to meet evolving demands in industry, academia, and public service.
Total Fees
₹4.5L - ₹34L
Total Courses
15
The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) was established as the first national institute for postgraduate studies and research in management by the Government of India in November 1961 in collaboration with the Alfred P. Sloan School of Management (MIT), the Government of West Bengal, the Ford Foundation, and Indian industry. During its initial years, several prominent faculty formed part of its nucleus, including Jagdish Sheth, J. K. Sengupta, and others. Over the years, IIMC has grown into a mature institution with a global reputation, imparting high-quality management education. It has been playing a pioneering role in professionalizing Indian management through its postgraduate and doctoral-level programs, executive training programs, and research and consulting activities. Today, the institute serves as an autonomous body, continually evolving to meet its goals in an ever-changing business environment.
Total Fees
₹40K - ₹33.5L
Total Courses
11
Located in the educational landscape of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad was established in 1961 to deliver transformative education. Conforming to regulatory norms of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) / UGC through its affiliation with Gujarat State University, the institution offers students an integrated foundation across business strategy, financial analytics, corporate governance, and entrepreneurial leadership. The campus is equipped with management simulation suites, modern boardroom presentation centers, and incubation hubs, creating an immersive environment for scholarly development and collaborative innovation. Dedicated to holistic student empowerment, the institution prepares ethical and career-ready professionals who contribute meaningfully to societal and industrial growth.
Total Fees
₹20L - ₹34.1L
Total Courses
6
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