IIT Madras launches online BS course on Management and Data Science

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, on Saturday launched an online Bachelor of Science in Management and Data Science program aimed at targeting early or mid-career industry professionals, public servants or professionals working in the field of policy-making, as well as students enrolled in completely unrelated courses.

An interdisciplinary undergraduate program with multiple exit options, the Bachelor of Management and Data Science Program aims to provide students with expertise in business decision-making, quantitative thinking and data-driven problem solving.

The program is open to anyone who has completed Class XII or equivalent qualification and there is no age limit or seat restriction. Admission will be through an in-house qualifying exam or eligibility to appear for JEE Advanced.

“Entry into the course is relatively easy but exit is extremely difficult,” said IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, who launched the course. He said that there are 50 million students pursuing higher education in India today, which requires democratization of education. These online courses were a step in that direction.

Prior to this, IIT Madras was running online degree programs in Data Science and Programming, Electronic Systems and Aerospace Technology.

Gangapriya Chakraverti, Regional President and General Manager, Ford Motor Company India, said whether it is in a bank, a retail chain or a manufacturing facility, the most valuable asset is not always capital or people; There may be data. “But any data in a vacuum is completely useless. It requires management, it requires the ability to ask the right questions, it requires the ability to lead teams, and it requires the ability to make ethical and strategic decisions,” he observed. He said the program is a business degree fit for the data age.

Rajiv C. Lochan, Managing Director and CEO, Sundaram Finance, said the program has been designed to include audio, video, text, digital and offline peer groups, collaboration, discussion and debate and hence the opportunity for retrospection and reflection.

Giving details about the course, Prathap Haridoss, Dean, Academic Courses, IIT Madras, said that although it is mostly online, the BS has a hybrid mode that includes certain project submissions, laboratory activities and any assessments that require in-person presence.

The first batch of the course will start in June 2026 and the application deadline is May 31. Details can be found at. https://study.iitm.ac.in/mg.