Indian Institute of Management Lucknow
(IIM Lucknow)Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Established
1984
Campus Size
195.00 Acres
Total Students
900
Faculty
90
Student-Faculty
10:1
IIM Lucknow Rankings by NIRF, QS, and Global Agencies
IIM Lucknow Rankings & Accreditations 2025
IIM Lucknow is ranked #7 in NIRF Management Rankings 2024 and achieved a historic milestone in January 2026 by receiving EQUIS accreditation - completing its Triple Crown (AACSB + AMBA + EQUIS). IIML is now the second Indian B-school after IIM Calcutta to hold Triple Crown status. Globally, IIML is ranked #71 in FT Global MBA 2025 and #55 in FT Masters in Management 2024.
Rankings Summary - IIML
| Ranking Body | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF Management 2024 | #7 | - |
| QS Global MBA 2025 | 201-250 Band | Down from 151-200 |
| FT Global MBA 2025 | #71 Globally | Up from #85 in 2024 |
| FT Global MBA 2024 | #85 Globally | IPMX programme ranked |
| FT Masters in Management 2024 | #55 Globally | - |
Accreditations
Triple Crown Accreditation: IIM Lucknow became the second Indian B-school (after IIM Calcutta) to achieve Triple Crown status:
- AACSB - Accredited since 2020 (first IIM to receive AACSB)
- AMBA - Accredited
- EQUIS - Accredited since January 2026 (completed the Triple Crown)
The EQUIS accreditation in 2026 was the final piece, making IIM Lucknow one of fewer than 120 Triple-Crown B-schools globally. IIML was notably the first IIM to receive AACSB accreditation in 2020, ahead of older IIMs like IIMA and IIMB.
Peer Comparison - Top 5 IIMs
| IIM | NIRF 2024 | QS MBA 2025 | FT MBA 2025 | Accreditations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Lucknow | #7 | 201-250 | #71 | Triple Crown ✓ |
| IIM Ahmedabad | #1 (90.21) | #56 | #31 | EQUIS only |
| IIM Bangalore | #2 (88.69) | #53 | #57 | EQUIS only |
| IIM Calcutta | #5 (75.07) | #65 | #61 | Triple Crown ✓ |
| IIM Kozhikode | #3 (77.90) | 151-200 | #65 | EQUIS + AMBA |
IIM Lucknow Rankings 2025
IIM Lucknow is ranked by 2 major ranking bodies as of 2025. The institution is ranked #4 in Management by NIRF; #5 in MBA by QS India.
NIRF
#4
Management · 2025
Score: 85.60
QS India
#5
MBA · 2025
Score: 80.30
NIRF Rankings
National Institutional Ranking Framework by the Ministry of Education, Government of India
| Category | Year | Rank | Score | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management | 2025 | #4 |
85.60
|
1 |
| Management | 2024 | #3 |
85.90
|
— |
2025 vs 2024: 1 declined
QS India Rankings
Quacquarelli Symonds Indian University Rankings
| Category | Year | Rank | Score | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBA | 2025 | #5 |
80.30
|
1 |
| MBA | 2024 | #4 |
80.60
|
— |
2025 vs 2024: 1 declined
How IIM Lucknow Compares
NIRF Management Rankings - Top 10 Institutions
| Institution | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank | Score | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | - | - | - | |
| #1 | #1 | 92.50 | - | |
| #2 | #2 | 91.80 | - | |
| #3 | #4 | 90.10 | 1 | |
|
IIM Lucknow
|
#4 | #3 | 85.60 | 1 |
| #5 | #6 | 83.40 | 1 | |
| #7 | #8 | 78.50 | 1 | |
| #8 | #8 | 76.80 | - | |
| #10 | #9 | 70.63 | 1 | |
| #12 | #11 | 72.50 | 1 |
Latest News about IIM Lucknow
IIM Lucknow Launches New Executive MBA Programme Focused on Digital Supply Chain
Apr 22, 2026
IIM Lucknow Placement Season 2025: Average Package Rises to ₹32.8 LPA
Apr 22, 2026
IIM Lucknow Retains AACSB Accreditation, Joins Elite 6% of Global B-Schools
Apr 22, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions - IIM Lucknow Rankings
Q: What is IIM Lucknow's NIRF ranking?
IIM Lucknow is ranked #7 in NIRF Management Rankings 2024. Among IIMs specifically, IIML is #4 (after IIMA, IIMB, and IIMK). IIML's NIRF ranking reflects strong graduation outcomes (96.59 score) and teaching-learning resources (86.53 score).
Q: Does IIM Lucknow have Triple Crown accreditation?
Yes. IIM Lucknow achieved Triple Crown status in January 2026 when it received EQUIS accreditation, completing the trio alongside AACSB (2020) and AMBA. IIML is the second Indian B-school after IIM Calcutta to hold Triple Crown. Notably, IIML was the first IIM to receive AACSB accreditation.
Q: How does IIM Lucknow rank globally?
IIM Lucknow is ranked #71 in FT Global MBA 2025 (IPMX programme, up from #85 in 2024) and #55 in FT Masters in Management 2024. In QS Global MBA 2025, IIML is in the 201-250 band. The FT ranking shows a strong upward trajectory with a 14-place improvement.
Q: Is IIM Lucknow better accredited than IIM Ahmedabad?
Yes, in terms of accreditations. IIML holds Triple Crown (AACSB + AMBA + EQUIS) while IIMA holds only EQUIS. However, IIMA leads significantly in rankings - NIRF #1 vs #7, FT MBA #31 vs #71, QS MBA #56 vs 201-250. Accreditations validate academic standards while rankings reflect market perception and employer outcomes.
Q: Why was IIM Lucknow the first IIM to get AACSB?
IIM Lucknow received AACSB accreditation in 2020, ahead of older IIMs like IIMA, IIMB, and IIMC (which got it in 2014). This reflects IIML's early and strategic focus on meeting international standards in curriculum design, faculty qualifications, and continuous improvement processes that AACSB evaluates.
Q: What is IIM Lucknow's FT ranking trend?
IIM Lucknow's FT Global MBA ranking improved from #85 (2024) to #71 (2025) - a jump of 14 positions. The FT Masters in Management ranking was #55 in 2024. This upward trajectory, combined with the 2026 Triple Crown achievement, positions IIML for further global recognition.