IIT Kanpur Launches Bachelor of Cybersecurity Program; Admissions Through JEE Main and Hackathon

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has introduced a new four-year undergraduate program called Bachelor of Cybersecurity (B.Cyber.) on its official website at iitk.ac.in. The first group of students will start classes in July 2026. This program is offered by the Wadhwani School of Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems. The goal is to train experts who can protect India's digital systems. The institute will not use the JEE Advanced exam for admission to this program. Instead, selection will be based on a combination of JEE Main results, evidence of previous cybersecurity experience, and participation in a campus hackathon. The hackathon will assess practical skills in a time-bound environment. A full program webpage with more details is expected to be launched soon.

IIT Kanpur B.Cyber. Programme Key Details

Source: @iitk.ac.in  

Program Structure at IIT Kanpur

The four-year program is divided into two main parts. The first two years involve intensive coursework and lab training at the Kanpur campus. Students will develop foundational knowledge in systems, networks, and applied security. In the next two years, students will take part in a paid internship phase.They will work in government security agencies on real-world issues. This replaces regular classroom sessions with hands-on field experience. 

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

For the first batch, three criteria have been set. Applicants must have taken the JEE Main 2026 exam as their first step. They also need to provide clear proof of prior cybersecurity work. This can include participation in contests, bug bounty programs, or verified projects. Candidates who pass the initial screening will then take part in an in-person hackathon at IIT Kanpur. Final selections will be based on their performance in the hackathon. The exact cut-off score for JEE Main has not been announced yet.

How Does the Selection Process Work?

1. Initial selection based on JEE Main 2026 scores.
2. Review of the candidate’s past cybersecurity experience.
3. Shortlisted students take part in an on-campus hackathon at IIT Kanpur.
4. Final selection is made based on the results of the hackathon.

Why a Separate Admission Route from JEE Advanced?

Professor Manindra Agrawal, the director of IIT Kanpur, explained the new admission process. The university aims to identify students with real-world cybersecurity skills. The JEE Advanced exam alone cannot measure these practical abilities, so the hackathon helps find students who are actively involved in the field.

Wadhwani School of Advanced AI and Intelligent Systems

The Wadhwani School was created through a collaboration with the Wadhwani Foundation. It includes the new Department of Intelligent Systems, which was established in 2025. The school has five research centers focusing on AI, intelligent systems, cybersecurity, robotics, and AI policy. The B.Cyber. program is the first undergraduate course offered by this school. It will be offered alongside a planned BTech in Intelligent Systems for the same year.

Action Plan for Candidates

• Register and take the JEE Main 2026 exam through the official NTA website.
• Check the IIT Kanpur announcement page at iitk.ac.in for the latest updates.
• Develop a portfolio of cybersecurity work, such as winning CTF competitions, submitting reports from bug bounty programs, or participating in open-source projects.
• Keep an eye out for the dedicated program website, which is expected to be launched shortly after June 11, 2026.
• Prepare for the on-campus hackathon by practicing applied security challenges.