With this milestone, the Institute has become a part of the elite group of triple-accredited B-schools, and is now the 3rd IIM and the 5th management institution in India to attain this distinction.
IIM Lucknow now holds AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS accreditations, making it a Triple Crown institution, an achievement earned by only about 1% of business schools worldwide.
LUCKNOW: Indian Institute of Management Lucknow has achieved the prestigious EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) Accreditation, a globally recognised marker for excellence in management education.
As of 2025, 231 business schools across 46 countries hold EQUIS accreditation, reflecting its global influence and the exclusivity associated with achieving this benchmark. With this milestone, the Institute has become a part of the elite group of triple-accredited business schools, a distinction held by less than 1% of B-schools in India.
Administered by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), on a global scale, EQUIS accreditation is considered as one of the most rigorous institutional accreditation system for B-schools. Its assessment process goes beyond academic excellence, and evaluates the Institutions on a comprehensive set of criteria. This includes:
- Internationalisation and global engagement
- Corporate and industry linkages
- Quality and impact of research
- Ethics, responsibility, and sustainability orientation
- Continuous improvement and innovation in management education
Congratulating the Institute on this achievement, Prof. M.P. Gupta, Director, IIM Lucknow, said, “IIM Lucknow is proud to achieve the prestigious EQUIS accreditation. With existing AMBA and AACSB accreditations, and now EQUIS, we are glad to join the distinguished league of Triple Crown–accredited institutions. This milestone belongs to our faculty, students, officers, staff, alumni, and partners who have worked tirelessly to advance our vision. It is their collective efforts which continue to drive our institution to greater heights.”
The process for EQUIS accreditation spans between 12 and 24 months. It begins with submitting a comprehensive Institutional Data Sheet outlining the Institute’s programmes, governance, research, and international and corporate engagements. Once approved by EFMD, one academic programme from the Institute is selected for a focused review, and the Institute submits a self-assessment report. This is followed by a peer-review visit where an international panel evaluates the Institution through meetings with key stakeholders and an in-depth assessment of the selected programme. The whole process culminates in an Accreditation Board decision on the Institute’s accreditation.
Receiving EQUIS accreditation demonstrates IIM Lucknow’s commitment to achieving the highest international standards in business education and reflects its commitment to delivering globally relevant, future-ready management learning. It certifies that the Institute’s academic quality, governance systems, student outcomes, and research environment align with international best practices.
This recognition further reinforces IIM Lucknow’s mission to create meaningful global impact through excellence in research and innovation, and strengthens the Institute’s global reputation for international partnerships, student and faculty exchanges, collaborative research.
