How do you rate IIML compared with the IIMs at ABC? Is IIM Lucknow as good as the top IIMs at ABC?

Some people tend to categorize IIM Lucknow from the combo trio “ABC” which is a famous term used by CAT Aspirants and coaching institutes to mention the three exclusive institutes. Which is not a fair comparison. The points listed below, provide different views and scenarios about the comparison.

• CAT training institutes convince students by selling the ABC guarantee. It is somewhat exaggerated, but this creates a sense of motivation in the minds of the students for cracking CAT. Most perspectives divide IIM ABC and IIM Lucknow into two different categories, which is an old concept and needs to be calibrated now.
• Companies recruit a good number of IIM Lucknow students and it is based on performance, not just the ABC branding. There are two factors that make a basis of judgment between the two sides- one being the industry's perspective and the other being the students’ perspective.
• Research papers published and ongoing consulting projects vary from year to year and so cannot be considered as a mode of judgment between institutes.
• The actual hierarchy is usually considered to be A>B=C>L, and CAT rankers choose among them accordingly.
• Having a better balanced PGP curriculum, IIM B is said to be the best institute in some rankings. Also, there are students choosing IIM B over A, and the institute displays it on their website. IIM B average placement is also on a slightly higher side, compared to IIM A.
• Also in Finance specialization, IIM C is more reputed than A or B. Many students convert to C since it has triple accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS). So, judging which institute is better is relative.
• Both IIM C and IIM Lucknow don’t share their detailed placement data. According to the record, IIM L has an average CTC of 17.80 LPA as compared to IIM C’s average CTC, i.e. 17.39 LPA for a similar batch size. 
• There are a major number of students from IIT Delhi, Kanpur, BHU, and Roorkee in IIM Lucknow too, contrasting the rumor that IITians choose only among ABC.
• In the industry, it actually doesn’t matter to which IIM the student belongs. Converting an interview into an offer is dependent on the CV and performance on spot.
• There are several top IIM graduates currently working as managers in mid-level organizations. As the experience increases, the need for the brand decreases gradually.

IIM Lucknow is famous for its rigorous 2 year PGP program, which is even tougher than IIM A. This hardcore curriculum is reflected in placements, where the institute shares the same level of opportunities as other top IIMs.

So, the brands are just labels that become useless after certain intervals. It is the hard work and passion that pays off.