IIM Bangalore Launches BSc Honours in Economics & Data Science Programs

First batch will commence in August 2026, Applications for the inaugural cohorts will open in September 2025.

The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) has launched two new undergraduate programs: BSc Honours in Economics (with a minor in Data Science and Business) and BSc Honours in Data Science (with a minor in Economics and Business).

These four-year, full-time residential programs, designed in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP), will be offered under the newly established School of Multidisciplinary Studies at IIMB’s upcoming Jigani campus with the first batch commencing in August 2026.

Applications & Eligibility

Applications for the inaugural cohorts will open in September 2025, with a national-level entrance exam scheduled for December 2025, followed by personal interviews. The initial intake will consist of 80 students—40 in each program—with plans to expand to 640 students by 2031 as infrastructure at the Jigani campus develops.

Eligibility criteria include a minimum of 60% marks in Mathematics in Class XII, an overall score of 60% or above in Class X, and an age limit of 20 years for the general category or 22 years for reserved categories as of August 1, 2025. The annual fee is set at ₹8.5 lakh, with a built-in financial aid provision of up to 20% to ensure no deserving student is denied access due to economic constraints.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Rishikesha T Krishnan, Director of IIMB, emphasized the institute’s vision to nurture critical thinkers and problem solvers capable of driving positive change by engaging young learners early. The curriculum integrates economics, data science, philosophy, communication, and ethics, with a strong business education component, featuring two internship cycles, an international exchange term, and the option for a three-year exit with a degree. This interdisciplinary approach aims to equip students with analytical, contextual, and ethical perspectives to navigate emerging markets.

Prof. P.D. Jose, Professor-in-Charge of the Jigani campus, highlighted the program’s rigorous design, blending technical depth with a liberal arts orientation to address complex, data-rich environments. He noted the urgent need for empathetic, insightful leaders with collaborative and creative skills, positioning these programs as a foundation for individual and societal flourishing.

Prof. Sourav Mukherji, Dean of Alumni Relations & Development, described the UG initiative as an inflection point for IIMB, requiring a recalibrated approach to integrate undergraduate and postgraduate ecosystems while preserving the institute’s hallmark learning experience, with plans to introduce additional programs in Sustainability and Behavioral Sciences in the future.