IIT Kanpur Launches New Bachelor's Programme in Cybersecurity
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur is launching a new programme, Bachelor of Cybersecurity (BCyber), from the current academic session beginning July 2026. The selection of candidates for the programme will be based on an initial screening using JEE Main scores and evidence of prior work in the field of cybersecurity, followed by an in-person assessment that will include a hackathon to be conducted on the IIT Kanpur campus.
Introducing the programme, Prof Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, emphasised the growing importance of cybersecurity, particularly from a national security perspective. He noted that future conflicts will be fought as much in cyberspace as in the physical world. Critical national infrastructure will require strong protection against cyberattacks. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a cadre of highly trained experts capable of safeguarding national digital systems. Keeping this objective in mind, IIT Kanpur is launching this programme with a unique structure. Contd
Students enrolled in this programme will spend the first two years at the institute undergoing rigorous academic coursework designed to build strong theoretical foundations in cybersecurity. They will also undertake laboratory courses to gain practical experience in controlled environments. This will be followed by a two-year internship phase in various government security organisations, where students will work on real-world cybersecurity challenges.
Admission to the programme will not be through JEE Advanced. Instead, it will be based on a special selection process involving shortlisting through JEE Main performance and demonstrated prior work in cybersecurity, followed by a test that includes a hackathon.
The programme will be offered by the Wadhwani School of AI and Intelligent Systems at the Institute. In this context, Prof Nitin Saxena, Dean of the School said, “Cybersecurity is a critical national priority and a rapidly growing field globally. This programme is designed to develop highly skilled professionals through a unique combination of strong academic foundations and real-world experience.”
The institute is in the process of launching a dedicated webpage for the programme, which is expected to go live soon. Detailed information regarding the programme and application process will be available on the webpage.
