IIM Bangalore unveils multidisciplinary undergraduate programs under NEP framework

The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) is set to begin its first undergraduate programs in August 2026, marking a major shift in its academic offerings beyond postgraduate and executive education.

The announcement was made at a press conference on July 14.

The two new four-year residential degrees, a BSc (Hons) in Economics and a BSc (Hons) in Data Science, will be offered under the newly formed School of Multidisciplinary Studies and conducted at IIMB’s upcoming Jigani campus.

Admissions for the inaugural batch of 80 students, evenly divided between both majors, will open in September 2025.

The institute aims to expand total undergraduate intake to 640 by 2031 as infrastructure develops at the new site.

“Our vision is to nurture critical thinkers and problem solvers capable of driving positive change,” said IIMB Director Professor Rishikesha T Krishnan.

“To actualize 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,” added Krishnan.

Each program will allow students to take a minor in either the complementary discipline or in business, supporting a broad-based curriculum aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP).

Designed to be interdisciplinary, the courses integrate economics, data science, communication, ethics, and philosophy, along with applied learning opportunities such as two internships and an international exchange term. A three-year exit with a degree is also available as per NEP norms.

Eligibility requirements include a minimum of 60% in mathematics in Class XII and at least 60% overall in Class X.

Candidates must also clear a national-level entrance test followed by a personal interview. The age limit is 20 years for general category applicants and 22 for those from reserved categories as of Aug 1, 2025.

The annual tuition fee has been set at ₹8.5 lakh. However, IIMB has emphasized its commitment to inclusion.

“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 Krishnan.

The new programs will be taught by 15 faculty members, comprising both new hires and existing IIMB professors.

Professor PD Jose, who is leading the Jigani campus development, described the initiative as a response to the evolving needs of modern leadership.

“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 Programs Professor Mukta Kulkarni noted that structured placement assistance will be built into the degree experience.

“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.

She added that the curriculum will remain flexible and responsive to changing industry demands.

Professor Sourav Mukherji, Dean of Alumni Relations and Development, called the undergraduate expansion a pivotal moment in the institute’s evolution.

“We have long been accustomed to working with older learners. We recognize that undergraduate education will require a recalibrated approach,” he said.

He added that alumni from IIMB’s global network of nearly 30,000 graduates are actively supporting the rollout.

The institute also plans to introduce additional undergraduate offerings in sustainability and behavioral sciences in the coming years as part of a broader ecosystem of multidisciplinary learning.