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IIM-Sambalpur begins UG BS programmes in Data Science & AI and Management & Public Policy

Prof Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director of IIM Sambalpur, said the new programmes aim to develop leaders in technology, policy, and society, while instilling values of integrity and responsibility.

IIM Sambalpur (Image via institute)

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur has commenced its first undergraduate programmes, introducing the Bachelor of Science in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence and the Bachelor of Science in Management & Public Policy. The programmes, announced earlier in May 2025 under the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, have now commenced with the inaugural batch at the Sambalpur campus in Odisha.

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According to an official statement, the first cohort comprises 178 students – 88 in Data Science & AI and 90 in Management & Public Policy. Students come from more than 20 states, including Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Lakshadweep.

The Data Science & AI programme has 69 male and 19 female students, while the Management & Public Policy programme includes 51 male and 39 female students.

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Admissions to the Data Science & AI programme were based on JEE (Main) 2025, with the highest admitted rank being 44,645. The Management & Public Policy programme admitted students through CUET (UG) 2025, where top scorers achieved a 99.80 percentile. The academic credentials of the batch show an average Class 12 score of 90.5% for Data Science & AI and 88.2% for Management & Public Policy.

Programme	Total Students	Male	Female	Admission Exam	Admission Cut-off	Avg. Class 12 Score
BS in Data Science & AI	88	69	19	JEE (Main)	Rank 44,645	90.5%
BS in Management & Public Policy	90	51	39	CUET (UG)	99.80 percentile	88.2%

As per a statement from the institute, BS course in Management and Public Policy is designed to meet national needs in sustainability, ESG, and community-led development, equipping students to bridge the gap between policy and grassroots practice. The BS in Data Science and AI focuses on building digital capability and competitiveness, encouraging the use of ethical AI in line with IIM Sambalpur’s emphasis on innovation with integrity.

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Notably, as per the notice, IIM Sambalpur has moved up 16 places in the NIRF 2025 rankings, which, according to Prof Soumya Guha Deb, Dean, is a result of sustained institutional initiatives. The institute has also become the first IIM to admit undergraduate students through both JEE (Main) and CUET. Prof Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director of IIM Sambalpur, said the new programmes aim to develop leaders in technology, policy, and society, while instilling values of integrity and responsibility.