The Indian Institute of Management Lucknow is set to enter undergraduate education with the launch of a four-year undergraduate program that integrates management studies with artificial intelligence. Scheduled to begin from the 2026 academic session, this marks a huge milestone for one of India’s top B-schools, as it shifts from its earlier, primarily postgraduate and executive education approach.
As IIM Lucknow completes 41 years since its establishment, the institute, ranked among the top 5 management institutes of the country, is now opening its doors to students straight after graduation.
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The First UG Programme at IIM Lucknow
The upcoming undergraduate course will be a four-year residential programme with a strong, interdisciplinary focus. The curriculum is expected to be a blend of core management subjects such as economics, finance, marketing, and strategy combined with AI concepts, aiming to enable students to develop strong decision-making and analytical skills from the beginning of their professional education.
The programme’s blueprint has already been approved by the IIM Lucknow board of management, according to senior faculty members. The institute is also collaborating with IIT Lucknow to understand the best practices in undergraduate teaching and education, as well as the best way to train management faculty in emerging technology.
The final details of the programme are expected to be made public after IIML Director Prof MP Gupta meets Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
IIM Lucknow UG Course Admission Criteria and Exit Options
One of the most noteworthy features of the new IIM Lucknow UG programme is its flexible structure, which is aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020).
- Students will have an exit option after three years, that will award them a standard undergraduate degree.
- Those who complete the fourth year will be awarded an honours degree.
Admissions are expected to be highly competitive, with plans to consider JEE Mains Score for admission (tentatively), reflecting the programme’s need for students to have strong quantitative and analytical skills.
Latest IIM to Introduce a UG Programme
IIM Lucknow is the latest among a growing number of IIMs who have introduced UG programmes in response to growing industry demands and NEP 2020 reforms. Other IIM’s include:
- IIM Siramur became the first IIM to launch a full-time UG programme in 2024 i.e. its Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS).
- IIM Kohikhode followed with a residential four-year BMS, receiving over 8,000 applications for 110 seats.
- IIM Bangalore introduced a three-year online BBA in Digital Business and Entrepreneurship (BBA-DBE) along with BSc programs in field of Economics and Data Science.
- IIM Sambalpur and IIM Mumbai are also in the list with their BSc programs focusing on management, public policy and data science
The Road Ahead
This programme opens up an exciting new door for students immediately after completing Class 12, marking a significant shift in how management education is traditionally accessed in India. At the same time, faculty members acknowledge that the transition will come with its own set of challenges. Many professors at IIM Lucknow have primarily taught postgraduate and executive-level courses, which involve learners with prior academic and professional experience. However, the institute remains confident that its faculty will quickly evolve in their teaching approaches to suit younger learners and nurture foundational skills alongside advanced concepts.
Another key decision that is yet to be announced is whether the new undergraduate programme will be offered at the Lucknow campus or the Noida campus.
Conclusion
For students aspiring to study at an IIM, IIM Lucknow’s new undergraduate programme presents a highly promising opportunity. More than just a new degree offering, it reflects a broader transformation across Indian higher education, one that emphasises flexibility, interdisciplinary learning, and strong industry alignment. By integrating management education with artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making, the programme aims to develop not only skilled professionals, but also adaptable, ethical, and future-ready leaders capable of thriving in a technology-centered world.
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