December 24th, 2025 | Mandi: The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi),
one of India’s leading IITs, through its School of Management (SOM), invites
applications for the 2026–28 batch of its MBA in Data Science and Artificial
Intelligence (DS&AI) program.
Now welcoming its fifth batch, the program has
rapidly emerged as one of the country's leading management offerings, producing
graduates equipped to lead in an AI-powered business landscape.
Key Highlights of MBA in DS & AI Program:
AI-Powered Business Transformation: A curriculum integrating business
fundamentals with AI, machine learning, data science, and digital strategy.
Industry-Aligned Learning: Regular curriculum updates co-developed with
industry to match evolving market needs.
Cutting-edge Technical Ecosystem: Access to state-of-the-art analytics
laboratories, computing facilities, and IIT Mandi’s technology
incubator—Catalyst.
Experiential Learning: Live projects, AI-driven business case challenges,
internships, hackathons, and industry immersion.
Global Orientation: International collaborations, visiting faculty, and global
exposure programs.
Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, extended a heartfelt welcome and
said,
“The MBA in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence embodies our vision of shaping
future business leaders who can harness the power of data and AI responsibly and
innovatively. IIT Mandi remains committed to excellence in technology-driven
management education.”
Prof. Anjan Kumar Swain, Chairperson, School of Management, IIT Mandi, stated,
“Our program seamlessly fuses management, analytics, and technology to create
leaders who can thrive in today’s fast-evolving digital economy. We aim to deliver a
transformative learning experience that sharpens critical thinking, fosters innovation,
and strengthens leadership capabilities.”
The School of Management has recently expanded its academic offerings by
introducing new elective clusters like Generative AI for Managers, AI-driven
Financial Decision Making, and AI for Marketing. These additions are supported by
enhanced practicum components that enable students to work closely with industry
mentors on live industry projects and strategic assignments ensuring strong practical
exposure alongside classroom learning. Collectively, these initiatives reflect IIT
Mandi’s commitment to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with a focus on
multidisciplinary learning, experiential pedagogy, and inclusive education.
Strong placement outcomes reinforce the program’s value, with the previous batch
achieving an average CTC of ₹18 LPA and a highest CTC of ₹49 LPA with recruiters
from analytics, consulting, BFSI, technology services, and AI-driven business
domains.
Eligibility and Admission Process Applicants may apply under either of the
following categories:
Applicant Category 1 (CAT-based) Candidates who have appeared for CAT
2025 may apply using their CAT 2025
scores.
Applicant Category 2 (CAT-exempted) Candidates holding a Bachelor’s or
Master’s degree from Centrally Funded
Technical Institutions (CFTIs) or from
institutions ranked within the Top 100 of
NIRF 2025 (Overall or Engineering),
subject to the minimum required CGPA.
Detailed Eligibility Criteria Available at: https://som.iitmandi.ac.in/
Application Submission Candidates are required to submit their
applications through the online application
form available on the SOM website.
Personal Interview Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a
Personal Interview following initial
screening.
Application Opens December 24, 2025
Application Closes
January 27, 2026
About IIT Mandi:
IIT Mandi is one of the top
second-generation IITs
located in Kamand Valley,
Mandi district of Himachal
Pradesh, India. It is one of
eight new Indian Institutes
of Technology (IITs)
established by the Ministry
of Human Resource
Development, Government
of India, and recognized
as one of Institutes of
National Importance. IIT Mandi's permanent campus about 14 km (8.7 mi) from
Mandi consists of the South and North campuses connected by a narrow neck. The
South campus is on the left bank of the Uhl River below Kamand village. The North
campus is along the Kataula Khad opposite Salgi village. A transit campus at
Government Post graduate College, Mandi was handed over by the Himachal
Pradesh Government on 16 November 2009. The Kamand campus ground-breaking
ceremony, to mark the start of construction, was held on 13 April 2012. On 25 April
2015, IIT Mandi became the first of all the new IITs to completely shift B. Tech
students to its permanent campus in Kamand. Since its inception the institute has
been involved with more than 275 Research and Development (R&D) projects worth
more than ₹120 crore. In the past 10 years, the institute has signed Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with as many as 11 international and 12 national universities.