IIT Kanpur Announces Cyber Programme Admission via JEE Main and Hands-On Hackathon

IIT Kanpur to Launch Bachelor of Cybersecurity Programme from 2026-27 Session

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has announced a new undergraduate programme, Bachelor of Cybersecurity, from the 2026-27 academic session. The four-year course will begin in July 2026 and will be offered through the Wadhwani School of AI and Intelligent Systems.

The programme has been introduced at a time when cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important for protecting digital systems, online infrastructure and national security. IIT Kanpur said the course aims to train skilled professionals who can address real-world cybersecurity challenges.

Admission to the Bachelor of Cybersecurity programme will not be based on JEE Advanced. Instead, candidates will be shortlisted through their JEE Main scores and proof of prior work or experience in cybersecurity. Shortlisted students will then have to appear for an in-person assessment at the IIT Kanpur campus, which will include a practical hackathon.

The institute has said that a dedicated webpage for the programme is being prepared and is expected to go live soon. The webpage will provide complete details about eligibility, the application process, admission criteria and other important information.

According to IIT Kanpur, the course has been designed to combine classroom learning with hands-on practical training. During the first two years, students will study on campus through lectures, laboratory sessions and controlled practical exercises to build a strong foundation in cybersecurity.

In the final two years, students will work with government security organisations through internships and real-world projects. This will allow them to gain practical exposure to cybersecurity operations, digital defence systems and security challenges.

IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal said cybersecurity has become a critical field, especially for safeguarding digital infrastructure and national systems. Nitin Saxena, Dean of the Wadhwani School of AI and Intelligent Systems, said the programme has been designed to prepare industry-ready professionals through a strong mix of theory and practical training.

The new programme is expected to attract students interested in cybersecurity, ethical hacking, digital security, cyber defence and national-level technology systems.