IIM Bangalore to Introduce UG Programs in Economics and Data Science from August 2026

In a landmark move that marks a significant shift in its academic offerings, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) is set to introduce undergraduate degree programs in Economics and Data Science starting August 2026. Traditionally focused on postgraduate and executive education, IIM Bangalore’s decision reflects a growing recognition of the need to develop talent from an earlier academic stage in response to India's evolving educational and job market landscape.

What’s Being Offered?

IIM Bangalore will offer two new undergraduate programs:

Bachelor’s in Economics
Bachelor’s in Data Science

Both programs will be full-time residential degrees designed to meet international academic standards while aligning with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision of multidisciplinary, skill-oriented learning.

Admission Criteria

Admission into the new UG programs will be highly competitive and will follow a two-stage selection process:

National-Level Entrance Examination
Personal Interview (PI)

Age Limit and Eligibility

General category applicants must be under 20 years of age as of August 1, 2026
Reserved category applicants must be under 22 years as of the same date
Candidates must have completed their Class 12 (or equivalent) with strong performance in mathematics and English

Curriculum Highlights

The undergraduate programs are designed to offer a blend of core fundamentals, applied skills, and interdisciplinary exposure, with key features including:

A strong foundation in quantitative methods, statistics, and economic theory
Training in programming, machine learning, data visualization, and analytics tools for the Data Science program
Research projects, industry internships, and live case studies
Modules on ethics, communication, public policy, and social impact
Flexibility to opt for a 3-year degree or extend to 4 years with research orientation, in line with NEP’s UG structure

Why This Matters

The move by IIM Bangalore is a game-changer in Indian higher education for several reasons:

Bridges the gap between school and top-tier management or policy education
Caters to the rising demand for Data Science and economic literacy in the digital economy
Encourages early research and innovation among young minds
Offers a more inclusive platform for meritorious students across the country, beyond metropolitan coaching networks

Global and National Impact

The introduction of undergraduate programs by an institution of IIM Bangalore’s stature brings it in line with global business schools such as Wharton (University of Pennsylvania) and the London School of Economics, which offer robust undergraduate tracks in economics and analytics.

This move is also expected to raise the bar for other Indian institutions, encouraging greater investment in foundational-level programs and greater focus on employability from the undergraduate level itself.

Conclusion

With its foray into undergraduate education, IIM Bangalore is reshaping the future of higher learning in India. The new programs in Economics and Data Science are designed not just to educate but to empower a new generation of thinkers, analysts, and changemakers.

Students aspiring to be at the forefront of India’s economic and digital future now have a new path—starting right after school, at one of the country’s most prestigious institutes.