12,000 students, 80 seats: IIM Bangalore’s first UG programmes see huge demand; check courses, campus & what students get

For students looking to study at IIM Bangalore straight after Class 12, the institute's new undergraduate programmes have turned out to be highly competitive even before the first batch begins.

Around 12,000 students applied for just 80 seats across the two programmes, with the inaugural batch set to begin on August 31, 2026.

The strong response comes as IIM Bangalore expands beyond its traditional postgraduate offerings. The institute has also partnered with Tata Trusts to establish the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore – Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IIM Bangalore and Tata Trusts was signed on August 21 by Noel Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts, and Dr Devi Shetty, Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIM Bangalore. Tata Trusts CEO Siddharth Sharma and IIMB Director-in-charge Prof U Dinesh Kumar were also present.

Under the agreement, Tata Trusts will provide philanthropic support for the establishment and initial development of the undergraduate school. The funding will go towards academic infrastructure, while also supporting the school's strategic direction, policy formulation and governance.

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"For over a century, the Tata Trusts have seeded some of India’s most defining institutions that have influenced generations," Noel Tata said.

He said the partnership comes at a time when India will need institutions capable of competing globally.

"India’s next phase of growth will require institutions that can be ranked amongst the best in the world," he said.

The new school, he added, is intended to "set new benchmarks for undergraduate education" and make a lasting contribution to the country.

Dr Devi Shetty said the partnership would provide the new school with a strong foundation as IIM Bangalore enters undergraduate education.

"IIM Bangalore is a public institution of eminence with a distinguished history of creating transformative educational opportunities," Shetty said.

He said the partnership with Tata Trusts would help build a multidisciplinary model of education.

"Through" the partnership, the school will have the foundation to develop "an ambitious model of multidisciplinary education for a new generation of learners," Shetty said.

The first batch will have 80 students, with 40 students in each of the two programmes. IIM Bangalore is offering a four-year, full-time residential BSc (Hons) in Data Sciences with a minor in Economics and a BSc (Hons) in Economics with a minor in Data Sciences.

The campus is located around 23 kilometres from IIMB's Bannerghatta Road campus in the Jigani-Anekal area and is being developed as a dedicated residential academic environment.

The school is being positioned around interdisciplinary learning, research and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and data science.

Prof U Dinesh Kumar described the Tata Trusts' contribution as a "historic gift" to IIM Bangalore and to institution-building.

He said the school is being developed at a time when AI is changing the way businesses, governments and society operate.

"Through world-class infrastructure, research capability and globally benchmarked learning," Kumar said, IIM Bangalore aims to create an ecosystem where students can engage with the defining challenges of an AI-driven world.

The new campus will include academic facilities, student accommodation and accessible infrastructure for people with disabilities.

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The Tata Trusts' support will also strengthen research and academic capabilities in areas including artificial intelligence, data science, algorithmic design, Indian Knowledge Systems and applied business learning. IIM Bangalore also plans to develop a dedicated multidisciplinary faculty for the school.

Siddharth Sharma, CEO of Tata Trusts, said the changing nature of technology and artificial intelligence meant undergraduate education would need to go beyond specialised knowledge.

"It is no longer enough to build specialised knowledge," Siddharth said.

Students will also need "the ability to think across disciplines, ask new questions, and apply what they learn to real-world challenges," he added.

For the 80 students selected for the inaugural cohort, classes will begin on August 31, marking IIM Bangalore's formal entry into full-time undergraduate education.