Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled three new Artificial Intelligence-focused programmes at IIM Lucknow during the Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026, signalling a transformative shift in India’s higher education landscape. The initiative represents a strategic integration of AI, business education, and leadership development.

JEE Advanced Route for AI Undergraduate Degree

The headline announcement is the launch of a four-yearBS in Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics, scheduled to begin in the 2026–27 academic session. Notably, admissions to this programme will be conducted throughJEE Advanced, making it the first time an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) is using the prestigious engineering entrance exam as its gateway for an undergraduate degree.

This move aims to attract top-tier technical talent into management education at an early stage, fostering a new generation of leaders skilled in both technology and business strategy.

In addition, IIM Lucknow will introduce:

• Atwo-year Tech MBAprogramme starting from 2027–28

• Anintegrated five-year BS + Tech MBA programme, enabling eligible students to earn both degrees in an accelerated pathway

The institute stated that these programmes are designed to develop expertise in AI-driven decision-making, digital transformation, advanced analytics, and data-backed strategic management.

India’s Vision for Ethical and Responsible AI

Addressing the conclave, Dharmendra Pradhan emphasised that artificial intelligence will be central to India’s future growth. He highlighted India’s ambition to become a global leader inethical, human-centric AI, ensuring that technological progress aligns with societal values.

Pradhan stressed that business schools must embed AI into management thinking, innovation models, and real-world problem-solving frameworks. According to him, AI must drive not only economic growth but also improvements in education, healthcare, and public service delivery.

He also underlined India’s demographic advantage, stating that the country’s young talent pool provides a unique opportunity to develop indigenous AI solutions tailored to national needs.

Blending Business Strategy with Technological Depth

IIM Lucknow Director Professor MP Gupta described the initiative as a convergence of managerial insight and deep technological expertise. The modular curriculum is designed to help students convert cutting-edge AI developments into scalable, commercially viable, and socially responsible solutions.

The programmes align with the national vision ofViksit Bharat@2047, reinforcing India’s ambition to emerge as a global knowledge economy powerhouse. They also complement flagship initiatives such asDigital Indiaand theIndiaAI Mission.

By opening JEE Advanced as an entry route to an IIM’s AI-focused degree, the institute signals a new phase in Indian higher education—one where engineering excellence, management leadership, and national development priorities increasingly converge.