Quick Facts
- IIM Lucknow launched a 4-year BS in AI and Business Analytics, welcoming its first cohort on August 17, 2026.
- IIM AI programmes now span full degrees plus short executive courses priced from Rs 1.55 Lakh upward.
- Admission routes vary widely: JEE Advanced for the BS degree, work experience for executive tracks.
In This Article
IIM AI programmes now stretch from four-year undergraduate degrees to short executive courses, marking the fastest curriculum shift the Indian Institutes of Management have made in years.
The push became visible at the Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026 in New Delhi, where Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled new AI courses at IIM Lucknow on February 12, 2026 (PIB). Since then, campuses from Ahmedabad to Indore have added AI tracks aimed at working professionals.
Key Takeaways
- IIM Lucknow now runs the first AI undergraduate degree at any of the original six IIMs, admitting via JEE Advanced.
- Most IIM AI programmes target managers, not coders, and many require no coding background at entry.
- Fees range sharply, so match the format and cost to your career stage before you apply anywhere.
CampusFeed Take
The real signal here is not a single new course but a change in who the IIMs teach. For decades these campuses trained postgraduate managers through CAT. Now IIM Lucknow recruits Class 12 students via JEE Advanced, while executive tracks chase mid-career professionals worried about automation. Students weighing an early IIM route should watch fees and placement data closely, since these programmes are new and lack multi-year track records. Expect more IIMs to add AI degrees through 2027, and expect employers to test whether an AI label truly changes what a graduate can do. CampusFeed will track each new cohort as results emerge. By CampusFeed Desk.
The Degree Push At IIM Lucknow
The IIM Lucknow BS in Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics is a four-year undergraduate degree, the first of its kind at any of India’s six oldest IIMs. IIM Lucknow welcomed its first cohort on August 17, 2026, according to the institute.
Admission runs through JEE Advanced (Joint Entrance Examination Advanced), the first time an IIM has used this engineering entrance for an undergraduate course. The official IIM Lucknow programme page lists a curriculum built on mathematics, statistics, and programming skills such as Python, before layering on business analytics and AI.
IIM Lucknow also plans a two-year Tech MBA from academic year 2027-28 and a five-year integrated BS plus Tech MBA pathway, per the institute. Director M P Gupta said the courses aim to blend business skills with AI, supporting national efforts like Digital India and the IndiaAI Mission.
Executive Courses Across The IIMs
Executive IIM AI programmes are short, mostly online courses that add AI skills to a working professional’s existing career. They now run at several campuses, each with a different price and focus.
IIM Ahmedabad runs an Executive Programme in AI for Business, open to graduates with at least three years of work experience and a 5-day campus immersion (IIM Ahmedabad). IIM Indore offers an Executive Programme in Generative and Agentic AI for Business, a 24-week no-code course starting September 24, 2026 (IIM Indore). IIM Kozhikode runs a 20-week programme in Product Innovation with AI, and IIM Calcutta offers the Advanced Programme in AI for Leaders for senior managers (institution websites).
IIM Mumbai launched two hybrid executive certificates on digital transformation and AI in January 2026, built with an edtech partner. Together these courses show the IIMs targeting managers who need AI fluency without a full technical degree.
IIM AI Programmes At A Glance
The table below summarises key IIM AI programmes across degree and executive formats, drawn from each institute’s official listing. Figures can change, so confirm on the official portal before applying.
| Institute | Programme | Format | Entry Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Lucknow | BS in AI and Business Analytics | 4-year degree | JEE Advanced |
| IIM Lucknow | Tech MBA (from 2027-28) | 2-year degree | To be announced |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Executive Programme in AI for Business | Executive, blended | Graduate, 3 years experience |
| IIM Indore | Generative and Agentic AI for Business | 24-week online | Graduate or diploma holder |
| IIM Kozhikode | Product Innovation with AI | 20-week online | Working professionals |
| IIM Calcutta | Advanced Programme in AI for Leaders | Executive | Senior professionals, 10 years experience |
The clearest split is entry age: the IIM Lucknow BS degree recruits Class 12 leavers, while every executive course expects prior work experience.
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About the Indian Institutes of Management
The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are a group of public business schools set up by the Government of India, the first founded in 1961. There are 21 IIMs across the country, governed under the IIM Act 2017, which grants them power to award degrees. Long known for postgraduate management education and the Common Admission Test (CAT), several IIMs are now expanding into AI-focused degrees and executive courses.
Who Can Apply For IIM AI Programmes?
Eligibility for IIM AI programmes depends entirely on the format you choose. The degree and executive routes serve very different candidates.
For the IIM Lucknow BS degree, applicants must be Class 12 students with a qualifying JEE Advanced rank, per the IIM Lucknow admission policy. Executive courses instead ask for a graduate degree plus work experience, ranging from three years at IIM Ahmedabad to ten years for the IIM Calcutta leaders’ programme (institution websites). Several executive courses, including the IIM Indore and IIM Kozhikode offerings, state that no coding background is needed at entry.
What This Means For You
If you are a student
If you are in Class 11 or 12 and strong in maths, the IIM Lucknow BS in AI is a new route into an IIM straight after school. You will need a JEE Advanced rank, so plan that preparation early. Check fees and the exit options on the official portal, since this is a fresh programme without years of placement data yet.
If you are a working professional
If you already work and worry about AI changing your role, an executive IIM AI programme can add practical skills in months, often online and around your job. Compare duration, fees, and whether the course needs coding before you enrol. Match the course focus, whether product, leadership, or general business, to your next career step.
If you are a parent
If your child is eyeing the IIM Lucknow BS degree, treat it like any engineering-entrance path: it demands JEE Advanced preparation and a clear back-up plan. Read the full fee structure and residential requirements on the institute site before committing, and weigh it against established degrees with longer records.
What Is Next
The next milestones are steady rather than sudden. IIM Lucknow plans to launch its Tech MBA in 2027-28, and executive cohorts open on rolling dates through the year. Watch for:
- IIM Indore Generative and Agentic AI cohort: begins September 24, 2026.
- IIM Lucknow BS admission cycle for 2027-28: expected early 2027.
Which IIM AI programme fits your stage best, a full degree or a short executive course?
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: August 22, 2026 at 14:30 IST
Last verified: August 22, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information at the time of publishing. Exam dates, cutoffs, fees, deadlines, eligibility criteria, and scholarship details can change without notice. Always verify the latest information from the official portal of the relevant body (IIM Lucknow, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Indore, or the concerned institute) before taking any action. CampusFeed and its authors are not responsible for decisions made based on this article. This is not legal, financial, or career advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual guidance.
Written by CampusFeed Desk. Published: August 22, 2026. Updated: August 22, 2026. Have a tip or correction? Write to us at editorial@campusfeed.in.
