IIM Lucknow Executive MBA 2026, Selection, Fees, Placements

IIM Lucknow Executive MBA 2026

The Indian Institute of Management, IIM Lucknow, is a big name in management education. A top school in India. Its reputation is rock solid. It's ranked 5th in the country by NIRF 2025 and 85th globally by the Financial Times in 2024.

Thinking about the IIM Lucknow Executive MBA 2026? Good choice. But you have a decision to make first. The school offers two excellent programs for working professionals. Both are based at the NOIDA campus. They are not the same.

Executive Programs offered by IIM Lucknow

IIM Lucknow Executive MBA Important Dates

Aspirants must take note of the important dates for PGPWE given in the table below:

Aspirants must take note of the important dates for IPMX given in the table below:

IIM Lucknow Executive MBA Admission Criteria

Getting into these programs is tough. IIM Lucknow looks at the whole picture. Your grades, your work, and your test scores. The basic academic rule is the same for both programs. But the details for work experience and entrance exams? Totally different.

Foundational Academic Requirement

Here’s what you need for either program:

• A Bachelor's degree. Any subject is fine.
• At least 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA.

Simple enough. But this is just the ticket to enter the race.

Program-Specific Criteria

This is where you need to pay attention. The differences here show what each program is really about.

Post-Graduate Programme for Working Executives (PGPWE)

• Work Experience: You need at least 3 years of full-time work experience. This is counted after you graduated.
  
  
• Entrance Exams: You have options. A lot of them. GMAT/GMAT FE, CAT, GATE, or even IIM Lucknow's own PGP-WE Entrance Exam.

International Programme in Management for Executives (IPMX)

• Work Experience: The bar is higher here. A minimum of 5 years of full-time work experience is required by March 31, 2026.
  
  
• Entrance Exams: No options here. It's GMAT or GRE only. And there's a catch. You must take the test at a test center. No online or at-home versions are accepted.

Why the difference? It’s all about the target audience. The three-year rule for PGPWE is for professionals ready for their first big management step. The five-year rule for IPMX is for seasoned managers aiming for the top.

Also check, IIM Ahmedabad GMAT Cutoff For PGPX & PGDM Admissions

Here’s a simple breakdown.

Table 1: IIM Lucknow Executive MBA Eligibility at a Glance (2026)

IIM Lucknow Executive MBA Selection Process

The selection process for the IIM Lucknow Executive MBA 2026 is quite tough. It’s a careful, step-by-step method to find the best candidates. People with the right mix of brains, experience, and leadership spark. The good news? The system is the same for both PGPWE and IPMX. Fair and square.

The Four-Stage Selection

Think of it as a funnel. Many apply, but only the best get through.

1. Apply Online: It all starts with the application. You'll submit your grades, work history, and test scores. You also have to pay a non-refundable fee. It's ₹1,000 for PGPWE and ₹5,000 for IPMX.
   
   
2. Get Shortlisted: The admissions team reviews every application. If your profile is strong and your test score is valid, you move to the next round.
   
   
3. Write and Talk: This stage has two parts. A Writing Ability Test (WAT) and a Personal Interview (PI). The WAT shows if you can write clearly and think on your feet. The PI is the main event. It’s a deep dive into your career, your goals, and why you’re a good fit for the program.
   
   
4. Final Decision: The final offer is based on a composite score. It’s a mix of everything you’ve done so far.

The Quantitative Weightage System

This isn't about gut feelings. It's about the numbers. Your final score is calculated using a specific formula.

Table 2: Final Selection Weightage for PGPWE & IPMX

What does this table tell us? Two very important things.

First, your work experience is just as important as your GMAT score. Both are weighted at 30%. A great test score can't save a weak professional history. They want to see what you've actually accomplished.

Second, the Personal Interview is huge. At 30%, it’s your best chance to shine. This is where they see if you can think strategically and if you'll be a good addition to the class. The WAT is the final piece, a 10% check on your writing skills.

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IIM Lucknow Executive MBA Fees

An MBA is an investment. A big one. So, let's talk about the cost. The fees for the PGPWE and IPMX programs are different. They reflect what each course offers.

PGPWE Fee Structure

The fee structure for the session 2026-2028 is given in table below:

IPMX Fee Structure

The IPMX is an all-inclusive package. The fee is higher, but it covers almost everything.

• Program Fee: The fee for the one-year program is ₹26,00,000. This includes tuition, books, and a place to stay on campus.
• Extra Costs:
  • Refundable Caution Money: ₹20,000.
  • Alumni Membership Fee: ₹5,000.

The total investment for IPMX is ₹26,25,000. One important note. There are no scholarships for the IPMX program. You have to fund it yourself, either with savings or a loan.

Here’s a side-by-side look at the total cost.

Table 3: IIM Lucknow Executive MBA Fee Structure 2026 (Estimated)

The takeaway? Don't just look at the tuition. Look at the total investment. That's the real number to consider when you think about your return.

IIM Lucknow Executive MBA Placements

What happens after you graduate? This is where the two programs really diverge. One helps you get a new job. The other helps you get better at the job you already have.

PGPWE: Career Acceleration and Advisory

The PGPWE is for people who are still working. So, there is no formal campus placement process. The value comes in other ways.

• Growth at Work: You learn new skills and immediately use them. This often leads to a promotion or a bigger role in your current company.
  
  
• Making a Move: With an IIM Lucknow MBA on your resume, you're in a much stronger position to find a new job on your own. Just ask the alumni. Take Mayank Gupta. He was an engineer at Indian Oil. After the course, he successfully switched to a sales role. A move he found both challenging and rewarding.
  
  
• The Network: You'll meet and work with experienced people from all kinds of industries. This network can open doors you never knew existed.
  
  
• Expert Advice: The school offers career advisory services. They help you plan your next move and make the most of your new MBA.

The PGPWE is a career booster. It gives you the tools to build your own success.

IPMX: Proven Career Transformation and Placements

The IPMX is a different story. It's a full-time program with a full-fledged campus placement process. And the results speak for themselves.

The placement reports for the classes of 2023 and 2024 are impressive.

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Table 4: IIM Lucknow IPMX Placement Highlights (Class of 2023 & 2024)

The numbers are great. But the real story is the transformation.

• Big Changes: For the Class of 2024, a massive 84% of students shifted their job function or role. And 70% moved to a new industry. This proves it. The IPMX is a powerful tool for anyone looking to completely change their career path.
  
  
• Where they go:Consulting is the top destination. Big surprise, right? IT, Finance (BFSI), and IT Enabled Services (ITeS) are also popular.
  
  
• What they do: Graduates land senior roles. Titles like Director, Engagement Manager, AVP, and Senior Product Manager are common.
  
  
• Who hires them: The best of the best. Companies like Accenture, PwC, EY, HSBC, and Infosys are regular recruiters.

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IIM Lucknow Executive MBA 2026: Conclusion

So, there you have it. The IIM Lucknow Executive MBA 2026 offers two fantastic options. The PGPWE and the IPMX. It’s not about which one is better. It’s about which one is better for you.

The choice is clear if you know your goals.

Choose the PGPWE if:

• You want to grow in your current career without taking a break.
• You have at least three years of experience.
• You like the idea of learning on the weekend and applying it on Monday.
• The total cost of around ₹15.65 lakhs makes sense for your goal of getting promotions and better opportunities.

Choose the IPMX if:

• You want a major career change. A new industry, a new function, a new start.
• You have at least five years of experience and are ready for an intense, full-time commitment.
• The total cost of ₹26.25 lakhs is a worthy investment for a proven path to a high-paying job, with average salaries over ₹25 LPA.

Both programs give you the power of the IIM Lucknow brand. The world-class teaching. The incredible network. They are just two different tools for two different jobs. Your job is to pick the right one.