IIM Bangalore to launch UG programmes in Economics and Data Science from August 2026

Indian Express

5 days ago

The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) will launch its first-ever undergraduate degree programmes in August 2026. The institute announced two four-year residential programmes — a BSc (Hons) in Economics and a BSc (Hons) in Data Science — at a press conference held at its Bannerghatta Road campus on Monday. The programmes will be delivered at IIMB's upcoming second campus in Jigani and will fall under its newly established School of Multidisciplinary Studies.
Each degree will offer an optional minor in the complementary discipline along with Business, with the aim of providing students a broad-based education in line with the National Education Policy. Admissions for the first batch will open in September 2025. The inaugural cohort will include 80 students — 40 in each major — and the institute expects the total intake to grow to 640 students by 2031, as infrastructure at the new campus expands.
The initial cohort will be taught by a dedicated faculty group of 15 members, including new hires and existing IIMB faculty.
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The new offerings mark a significant expansion for IIMB, which has so far focused exclusively on postgraduate, doctoral, and executive education. The institute's director, Professor Rishikesha T Krishnan, said the undergraduate initiative stems from a need to build early-stage academic capacity and prepare students to think critically and ethically in a rapidly changing world. 'Our vision is to nurture critical thinkers and problem solvers capable of driving positive change,' he said. 'To actualise this vision, we believe it is important to engage young learners early; familiarize them with the intricacies of emerging and unfamiliar markets, and equip them with analytical, contextual, and ethical perspectives.'
The idea of launching undergraduate programmes at IIMB was first discussed over a decade ago and later included in the institute's Institutions of Eminence proposal submitted to the government. The design of the programmes reflects an interdisciplinary approach, integrating economics, data science, communication, ethics, and philosophy, with a focus on applied learning. The curriculum includes two internship cycles, an international exchange term, and a three-year exit option with a degree, in accordance with NEP guidelines.
Eligibility criteria include a minimum of 60% in Mathematics in Class XII and an overall score of 60% or more in Class X. Admissions will be conducted through a national-level entrance exam followed by a personal interview. The age cap is 20 years for general category students and 22 for those from reserved categories, as of August 1, 2025.
The annual fee for the undergraduate programmes has been set at ₹8.5 lakh. However, IIMB has committed to ensuring that no deserving student is denied access due to financial constraints. 'Aid to the extent of 20% in aggregate has already been factored in, and every deserving student will have the opportunity to access financial support,' said Prof Krishnan.
Professor PD Jose, who is overseeing the development of the Jigani campus, said the programmes are structured to offer rigorous interdisciplinary training that combines technical knowledge with a liberal arts foundation. 'We urgently need leaders who are empathetic, insightful, and highly skilled,' he said. 'These challenges demand a collaborative, creative, and data-driven approach.'
Dean of Programmes Professor Mukta Kulkarni said structured placement support will be part of the programme. 'This is a degree being offered by a management school. We are looking at this from a practice and application point of view,' she said. Kulkarni added that students will have access to internships, international partnerships, and curriculum elements designed to align with market demands, with the flexibility to adapt as those demands evolve.
Professor Sourav Mukherji, Dean of Alumni Relations and Development, said the undergraduate programme represents a turning point for the institution. 'We have long been accustomed to working with older learners. We recognize that undergraduate education will require a recalibrated approach,' he said, adding that alumni from IIMB's nearly 30,000-strong global network are actively supporting the initiative.
The institute is also planning programmes in Sustainability and Behavioural Sciences which are slated for launch in the coming years as part of the same undergraduate ecosystem.