IIT Kanpur launches undergraduate cybersecurity program from 2026-27

IIT Kanpur will introduce a Bachelor of Cybersecurity (B Cyber) program starting in the 2026–27 academic session, becoming the first IIT to offer a dedicated undergraduate degree in cybersecurity.

The four-year program, which will begin in July 2026, has been designed to prepare students for careers in digital security amid growing concerns over cyber threats and the protection of critical infrastructure. The institute has earmarked 60 seats for the inaugural batch.

Unlike most undergraduate programs at the IITs, admission to the new course will not be based on JEE Advanced scores.

Instead, candidates will be shortlisted through JEE Main performance, evaluation of prior cybersecurity-related work, and participation in an on-campus hackathon.

According to IIT Kanpur, the hackathon is likely to be held in the first week of July and will help identify students with demonstrated interest and aptitude in areas such as cybersecurity and ethical hacking.

The program will be offered through the Wadhwani School of AI and Intelligent Systems. The institute said detailed admission guidelines and application information will be made available on a dedicated webpage expected to launch soon.

The curriculum has been structured to combine classroom learning with practical experience. Students will spend the first two years at the IIT Kanpur campus studying core cybersecurity concepts, technical subjects, and laboratory-based modules designed to build foundational expertise.

The remaining two years will be devoted to internships with government security agencies, where students will work on real-world cybersecurity projects and gain hands-on experience in securing digital systems.

Explaining the rationale behind the initiative, IIT Kanpur Director Prof Manindra Agrawal emphasized the growing importance of cybersecurity in national defense.

"Future conflicts will be fought as much in cyberspace as in the physical world. Critical national infrastructure will require strong protection against cyberattacks. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a cadre of highly trained experts capable of safeguarding national digital systems. Keeping this objective in mind, IIT Kanpur is launching this program with a unique structure," he said.

Sharing details of the program on social media, Agrawal highlighted its distinctive admission process and training model.

"This is a unique undergraduate program at IIT Kanpur. Meant especially for young ethical hackers. Admission through a hackathon. Specialized coursework with two-year internship at security agencies. We aim to produce cyber warriors of the future," he wrote.

Prof Nitin Saxena, Dean of the Wadhwani School of AI and Intelligent Systems, said the program seeks to bridge academic instruction and industry-oriented training.

"Cybersecurity is a critical national priority and a rapidly growing field globally. This program is designed to develop highly skilled professionals through a unique combination of strong academic foundations and real-world experience," he said.

IIT Kanpur said further details about the course and application process are expected to be released next week.