IIM Bangalore, Tata Trusts partner to set up Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies

The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) and Tata Trusts have signed an agreement to establish the IIMB–Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies. The partnership comes as IIM Bangalore prepares to welcome its first undergraduate batch of 80 students on August 31, 2026, selected from a record 12,000 applications.

The agreement was signed by Noel Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts, and Devi Shetty, Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIM Bangalore. The signing took place in the presence of Siddharth Sharma, CEO, Tata Trusts, and U Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge, IIM Bangalore.

Under the agreement, Tata Trusts will provide philanthropic support for the establishment and initial development of academic infrastructure for IIMB’s School of Undergraduate Studies. The Trusts will also contribute to its strategic direction, vision-setting, policy formulation and governance oversight.

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IIM Bangalore UG programmes to begin with 80 students

The inaugural undergraduate cohort comprises 80 students, with 40 students enrolled in each of the two UG programmes . The school will initially offer two four-year, full-time residential programmes:

• BSc (Hons) in Data Sciences with a minor in Economics
• BSc (Hons) in Economics with a minor in Data Sciences

The school is part of IIM Bangalore’s plan to expand its academic offerings to undergraduate education while maintaining its focus on academic rigour and global orientation.

The dedicated residential campus is being developed in the Jigani-Anekal area, around 23 kilometres from IIM Bangalore’s Bannerghatta Road campus. It is planned as an interdisciplinary academic and residential environment focused on learning, research and innovation.

Tata Trusts to support IIMB undergraduate campus

The philanthropic contribution from Tata Trusts will support the development of the new undergraduate campus, including academic infrastructure and student facilities. The campus is planned with sustainable development, accessible design and facilities for people with disabilities.

The funding will also support IIMB’s academic and research capabilities, including research clusters in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, algorithmic design, Indian knowledge systems and applied business learning.

Commenting on the partnership, Noel Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts, said that the Trusts’ association with IIM Bangalore reflects their approach of supporting institutions that can contribute to India’s development.

He 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.”

Further, he said, “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.”

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Devi Shetty, Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIM Bangalore, said the partnership would provide the new school with a strong foundation to develop a multidisciplinary model of education.

Shetty said, “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.”

IIMB to focus on AI, data science and multidisciplinary learning

U Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge, IIM Bangalore, said the initiative comes at a time when artificial intelligence is changing businesses, governments and society.

Kumar 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.”

Further, he highlighted, “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."

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Siddharth Sharma, CEO, Tata Trusts, said the partnership reflects the need to prepare students for a world shaped by technology, data and artificial intelligence.

Sharma 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.”

He added, "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 school will also work towards building a dedicated multidisciplinary faculty and strengthening its long-term academic and research capabilities. The first batch of undergraduate students is scheduled to commence its academic journey on August 31, 2026.