IIM Lucknow CAT 2026 Cutoff and Previous-Year Reference

IIM Lucknow has not published its CAT 2026 selection policy for the 2027-29 intake. The latest linked policy covers CAT 2025 for MBA, MBA-ABM and MBA-SM admission to the 2026-28 batch. All programme cutoffs and scoring rules below refer to that cycle.

CAT 2025 minimum percentile: each section / overall

In each cell, the first number applies separately to VARC, DILR and QA; the second is the overall requirement. For example, General MBA applicants needed 85 in every section and 90 overall. A 95 overall percentile with one section at 84 did not clear that filter.

The programmes did not share every cutoff. SC applicants needed 65 overall for MBA and MBA-ABM but 60 for MBA-SM. ST and PwD applicants needed 60 overall for MBA and 55 for the other two programmes.

Clearing the percentile requirements moved an applicant into composite-score consideration. It did not guarantee WAT-PI or admission. The CAT cutoff guide explains the difference between examination percentiles and institute selection thresholds.

Actual WAT-PI Composite Cutoffs: 2026-28 Intake

Lucknow published the minimum composite score used for its WAT-PI shortlist. These numbers are composite-score points, not CAT percentiles or final-admission cutoffs.

A General MBA applicant needed a shortlist composite of 49.8496132 after clearing the initial eligibility filter. That number cannot be compared directly with a CAT percentile of 90: they measure different things.

For MBA, 12,920 applicants qualified at Stage 1a, but 3,889 were shortlisted for WAT-PI. The difference shows why the minimum percentile was not an interview guarantee. One applicant could express interest in more than one programme, so the columns cannot be added to claim a total number of unique people.

The PwD rows retain the associated social category. A small group can have a comparatively high observed minimum: the ST-PwD MBA row had one shortlisted candidate. Its score is a historical outcome, not a separate percentile eligibility rule or a prediction for CAT 2026.

How the Shortlist Composite Was Calculated

MBA-ABM diversity was capped at 20 points in total. Its academic and gender entries must not be added to make 25; the combined cap kept the overall composite at 100.

The CAT component was candidate CAT scaled score / highest CAT score of 2025 x 60. Class 12 points used a different measure: P, the applicant's Class 12 percentile within pooled data from the preceding five years for the relevant board and discipline. The formula was [max(P, 80) - 80] / 20 x 10. P was not the applicant's raw Class 12 percentage.

Graduation was normalised within Engineering, Science, Commerce, Arts or Others. First calculate z = (degree percentage - discipline mean) / discipline standard deviation. The graduation score was [z x (50/3) + 50] x 10/100, restricted to the range zero to ten. At the discipline mean, z is zero and the score is five. The required cohort mean and standard deviation prevent an exact independent calculation from marks alone.

For MBA, work points were zero up to six completed months, then min[(months - 6) x 0.50, 10]. Thus 18 months earned six points and 26 months reached the ten-point cap. MBA-SM required at least 24 months for eligibility; additional work points started only above 24, using min[(months - 24) x 0.50, 10]. Exactly 24 months could satisfy the experience minimum while earning zero work points.

MBA and MBA-SM awarded five academic-diversity points for a non-engineering bachelor's degree. MBA-ABM awarded 20 for disciplines in its specified list. Female applicants received five gender-diversity points, subject to the MBA-ABM combined cap. The Admissions Committee decided the final academic classification.

Final Selection: WAT, PI and Programme Weights

PI carried 40 points and WAT ten in all three programmes. CAT carried 30 in MBA/MBA-SM and 35 in MBA-ABM. School and graduation marks remained part of the final score.

A candidate needed at least 12 out of 40 in PI to enter the final merit list. Strong CAT, academic or WAT scores did not compensate for failing that minimum.

The final diversity allocation was five points for the combined factors, rather than carrying the full shortlist allocation forward. MBA-ABM had no separate work-experience points; it allocated five more CAT points instead.

The WAT guide and personal interview guide address these later assessments. A qualifying CAT percentile, a shortlist composite and a final selection score are three distinct stages, not interchangeable cutoffs.

MBA, MBA-ABM and MBA-SM Eligibility

The MBA route required a recognised bachelor's degree with 50% marks or equivalent CGPA, relaxed to 45% for SC, ST and PwD. Final-year and result-awaited bachelor's candidates could apply subject to the required completion certificate. EWS and NC-OBC applicants used the 50% academic threshold.

MBA-SM added at least two years of professional experience. A bachelor's degree in any discipline could qualify, with the same 50%/45% marks requirement. The historical selection policy measured completed work months as on 31 July 2025; that date must not be silently advanced for the next intake.

MBA-ABM offered two academic routes. The first covered a bachelor's in agriculture, agricultural engineering or the listed allied subjects. The second covered a recognised bachelor's of at least three years after Class 12, with at least two years of experience or a strong interest in agriculture or an allied sector. Both required the applicable 50%/45% marks.

Disciplines listed for MBA-ABM academic-diversity points

• Agriculture: agriculture, agronomy, soil science, agricultural biochemistry, agricultural economics, agricultural extension, plant breeding and genetics, entomology and plant pathology.
• Science: biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, biotechnology engineering, botany, home science, life science and zoology.
• Veterinary science, animal husbandry, fisheries and dairy science.
• Agricultural engineering, dairy technology, food technology, and food technology & management.
• Forestry and horticulture.
• Rural studies, rural sociology, rural cooperatives and rural banking.

The alternative ABM route matters for applicants from other degrees: an engineering or commerce background was not automatically excluded simply because it fell outside the listed agriculture-related fields. However, being eligible through that route did not automatically earn the 20 academic-diversity points.

Programme eligibility is separate from CAT examination eligibility. The MBA-SM work minimum and MBA-ABM route conditions cannot be replaced by the general rule that final-year bachelor's students may take CAT.

Forms, Work Evidence and Final-Year Documents

Applicants for MBA-ABM and MBA-SM had to submit the special programme form by the institute's deadline. Shortlisted candidates also had to complete the online WAT-PI form. Missing that form removed the applicant from the WAT-PI process; a qualifying score did not substitute for submission. MBA-SM additionally required a Statement of Purpose.

Only full-time work after graduation counted for experience points. The work figure entered at CAT registration, measured to 31 July 2025 for this policy, was treated as final. Fractional months across organisations were combined using 30 calendar days as one completed month. Relevant employment records, first and last payslips and bank statements supported the claim.

For final-year students, the selection process used marks up to the year before the final examination: up to year two of a three-year course or year three of a four-year course. Every degree requirement, including practical and supplementary examinations, had to be completed by 30 June 2026 for that intake.

Class 12 percentage included all marksheet subjects. For graduation, use the awarded aggregate; if no aggregate was provided, include all subjects. Where both marks and CGPA appeared, marks governed the graduation calculation. Otherwise, use the institution's CGPA conversion, with CGPA / maximum x 100 only when no conversion formula was provided.

The policy followed Government of India reservation rules. Category proof and academic records were checked independently of the numerical shortlist score. For the historical 2026-28 admission process, Lucknow listed 0522-6696681 / 6682 / 6683 for admissions queries.

1. Programme-Wise Percentile Floors
2. Actual Interview Shortlist Cutoffs
3. Shortlist Scoring Reference

1. Final Selection and PI Minimum
2. Programme Eligibility Routes
3. Forms and Evidence