IIM Bangalore Receives Tata Trusts Support for New UG School in Bengaluru

Updated on June 18, 2026 Written By Pragya Tripathi

IIM Bangalore has received a major philanthropic contribution from Tata Trusts, marking an important milestone in the establishment of a world-class UG School in Bengaluru. The funding will support the institute's long-term plans, including academic development, campus planning and its vision for excellence in higher education.

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IIM Bangalore Receives Tata Trusts Support for New UG School in Bengaluru

The proposed School of UG Studies, situated around 27 km from the main IIMB campus is part of the institute's broader initiative to strengthen UG education in India. It aims to bring the same level of academic rigour and global standards that IIMB is known for in its postgraduate and executive programs.

The school will begin with two four-year full-time residential programs a BSc Honours in Data Science with a minor in Economics and a BSc Honours in Economics with a minor in Data Science, starting in August this year.

The program design combines economics, data science and business studies into an integrated interdisciplinary curriculum aimed at preparing students for a data-driven and competitive job market. With an intake of eighty students in total - 40 in each program the structure ensures close academic guidance, personalised learning and strong mentorship within the IIM Bangalore ecosystem.

The landmark endowment will support the creation of world-class academic and residential facilities. It will also help establish new research centres focused on emerging areas such as data science, Artificial Intelligence, Indian Knowledge Systems, algorithmic design and applied business studies.

This institutional backing further reinforces IIM Bangalore's focus on building a strong and diverse faculty base, bringing together experts from multiple academic disciplines to advance teaching and research excellence.

For Tata Trusts, this initiative is driven by a long-standing belief that the most meaningful philanthropic investments are in knowledge creation and the people who advance it. The Trusts have consistently supported the development of institutions that are academically strong, globally relevant and closely aligned with India's growth and development needs. The proposed UG program, which focuses on data, economics and evidence-based learning, is in line with this philosophy.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Noel Tata, Chairman of Tata Trusts, said that the Trusts have a long history of supporting major institutions like Tata Memorial Hospital and the Indian Institute of Science. He added that this kind of support reflects their intent to build enduring institutions by investing at an early stage when philanthropic funding can help shape not just infrastructure but also the vision, culture and long-term aspirations of an institution.

Welcoming the endowment, Dr Devi Shetty, Chairperson of the Board of Governors at IIM Bangalore, said that such transformative philanthropic support like that from Tata Trusts plays a key role in positioning institutes of national importance such as IIMB on a global platform. He added that the institute is focused on developing UG talent and building a strong pipeline of thinkers capable of addressing the challenges of a data-driven world.

Reflecting on the partnership, Mr Siddharth Sharma, CEO of Tata Trusts, said that the organisation aims to support initiatives that are both visionary and grounded in real-world needs. He noted that backing IIM Bangalore's expansion into UG education reflects their belief that investing in knowledge and in future nation builders is one of the most impactful forms of philanthropy.

Elaborating on the academic vision, Prof U Dinesh Kumar, Director in charge of IIM Bangalore, said that the programs are designed not only to build technical skills but also to help students think critically, handle complexity and make evidence-based decisions. He further added that the Tata Trusts' support will enable investment in faculty development, research infrastructure and campus facilities, creating a modern learning ecosystem aligned with India's developmental goals and global academic standards.