IIMB’s first UG branch has more boys and CBSE students

IIMB’s first UG branch has more boys and CBSE students 

Sruthysusan.Ullas @timesgroup.com  27.08.2026

Bengaluru: From a whopping 12,000 applications, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B) has selected its first batch of undergraduate students. The batch comprises 56 boys and 24 girls, with an equal mix of commerce and science students. IIM-B is launching its BSc (hons) programmes in data sciences and economics at its new campus, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore–Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies, in Jigani-Anekal area. 

Each programme has 40 seats. In Dec 2025, TOI had reported that the institute had received an overwhelming 12,000 applications. Subsequently, 453 candidates were shortlisted for interviews for 2026–30 academic year. Classes are set to begin on Aug 31, 2026. The inaugural cohort has 56 male and 24 female students. Of these, 39 have studied commerce, 39 science, and two arts and humanities. “Together, they bring a healthy mix of analytical and quantitative foundations to the incoming cohort, true to the multidisciplinary nature of the programmes,” said the premier institute. The incoming batch also brings an “exceptional academic track record”, the institute added, with more than half of the batch having scored above 90% overall in their class 12 examinations, 24 scoring more than 80%, and 44 students scoring above 90 marks in mathematics. The batch also reflects a diverse educational and geographic footprint. On the schooling board front, the majority of students – 51 – come from a CBSE background, followed by 23 from state boards, four from the IB curriculum, and one each from National Institute of Open Schooling and CISCE. 

The batch draws students from across the country, with the largest contingents coming from Maharashtra (18), Karnataka (13), and Uttar Pradesh (10), and representation spanning 20 states in total, “reflecting the pan-India appeal of the programme”.  Recently, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between IIM Bangalore and Tata Trusts (Sir Dorabji Tata Trust), formalising a significant philanthropic contribution by Tata Trusts towards development of the school. The school was thus renamed Indian Institute of Management Bangalore – Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies. 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.