Record 12,000 applications make IIMB’s inaugural UG cohort a full house, with the first batch commencing on 31st August 2026
21 August 2026, Mumbai: IIM Bangalore’s Undergraduate Programmes have been met with tremendous success, attracting a record 12,000 applications from across the country for the inaugural cohort of 80 students. The highly competitive selection process has brought together exceptionally high-calibre students in the first batch, many with outstanding profiles, marking a strong beginning for IIMB’s foray into full-time undergraduate education. With a full house, the inaugural batch of the programmes is set to commence on 31st August 2026. The success of the inaugural cohort comes alongside a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between IIM Bangalore and the Tata Trusts (Sir Dorabji Tata Trust). The MoU formalizes a significant philanthropic contribution by the Tata Trusts towards the development of the school that is being named ‘Indian Institute of Management Bangalore – Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies’.
On 21st August 2026, Mr. Noel Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts, and Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIMB, signed the MoU in the presence of Mr Siddharth Sharma, CEO, Tata Trusts, and Prof. U Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge, IIMB. Under the MoU, the Tata Trusts will support the establishment and initial development of world-class academic infrastructure for the School of Undergraduate Studies, along with contributing to the strategic direction and vision-setting, policy formulation and governance oversight.
On the occasion, Mr. Noel Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts, said, “For over a century, the Tata Trusts have seeded some of India’s most defining institutions that have influenced generations, and continue to serve public good long after the initial investment. India’s next phase of growth will require institutions that can be ranked amongst the best in the world. Our partnership with IIM Bangalore reflects that approach. Through the IIMB – Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies, we hope to support an institution that can set new benchmarks for undergraduate education and make a lasting contribution to the country.”
Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIMB, expressed deep appreciation for the Trusts’ generous support. “IIM Bangalore is a public institution of eminence with a distinguished history of creating transformative educational opportunities. Our partnership with the Tata Trusts, a name synonymous with integrity, nation-building and innovation for the public good, will provide the IIMB – Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies with a strong foundation to develop an ambitious model of multidisciplinary education for a new generation of learners.”
Prof. Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge, IIM Bangalore, said, “This is a historic gift to IIM Bangalore and to the cause of institution-building. The School of Undergraduate Studies is being conceived at a time when AI is reshaping the way businesses, governments and society operate. Through world-class infrastructure, research capability and globally benchmarked learning, IIM Bangalore aims to nurture an ecosystem where students deeply engage with the defining challenges of an AI-driven world”.
The School of Undergraduate Studies is a key component of IIM Bangalore’s broader vision to contribute to undergraduate education in India with the same academic rigour and global orientation that characterize its postgraduate offerings. The campus is located approximately 23 kilometres from IIMB’s Bannerghatta Road campus and is being developed as a dedicated residential academic environment designed to foster interdisciplinary learning, research and innovation. The school will initially offer two four-year, full-time residential programmes: BSc (Hons) in Data Sciences with a minor in Economics, and a BSc (Hons) in Economics with a minor in Data Sciences. The inaugural cohort comprises 80 students, with 40 students in each programme.
Mr. Siddharth Sharma, CEO, Tata Trusts, said, “In recent months, I have had the opportunity to visit and interact with students at several eminent institutions of higher education. These conversations have reinforced the importance of preparing young people for a world shaped by rapid advances in technology, data, and artificial intelligence. It is no longer enough to build specialised knowledge; young people also need the ability to think across disciplines, ask new questions, and apply what they learn to real-world challenges. Supporting the IIMB – Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies reflects our belief in the transformative potential of education and in creating the environment for this kind of learning to thrive.”
The philanthropic contribution will underpin the development of the school’s new sustainable undergraduate campus in the Jigani-Anekal area. The development will integrate state-of-the-art academic facilities with modern student living, functional zoning, vertical scaling and contemporary construction methodologies. In keeping with its inclusivity mandate, the campus will incorporate accessible design and dedicated facilities for people with disabilities.
The support will also strengthen IIMB’s research and academic capabilities, including the development of research clusters at the intersection of emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence, data science, algorithmic design, Indian Knowledge Systems, and applied business learning. It will contribute to building a dedicated, multidisciplinary faculty body and to advancing the school’s long-term academic objectives.
