IIT Kanpur launches Bachelor of Cybersecurity programme; admission through hackathon, not JEE Advanced

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) has launched a new undergraduate programme in cybersecurity, Bachelor of Cybersecurity (B.Cyber.), from the 2026-27 academic session. The admissions will be conducted through a special selection process involving JEE Main-based shortlisting and an in-person hackathon, instead of Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced.

The programme will be offered by the Wadhwani School of AI and Intelligent Systems at IIT Kanpur and candidates will be shortlisted based on their JEE Main scores and evidence of prior work in the field of cybersecurity. Shortlisted candidates will then undergo an on-campus assessment, which will include a hackathon.

Announcing the programme, IIT Kanpur director Prof. Manindra Agrawal said cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important from a national security perspective."Future conflicts will be fought as much in cyberspace as in the physical world. Critical national infrastructure will require strong protection against cyberattacks. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a cadre of highly trained experts capable of safeguarding national digital systems," he said.

Notably, IIT Kanpur recently hired 19-year-old ethical hacker Nisarga Adhikary after he identified multiple security vulnerabilities in CBSE's on-screen marking (OSM) portal. Adhikary, who completed Class 12 this year, joined IIT Kanpur's C3iHub as an OSINT and threat intelligence engineer

Two stage learning model

The four-year programme has been designed with a two-stage learning model. Students will spend the first two years at the institute completing academic coursework and laboratory training in cybersecurity. The last two years will be utilized for internships with government security organisations, where students will work on real-world cybersecurity challenges.

Prof. Nitin Saxena, dean of the school, said the programme aims to combine academic learning with practical exposure. "Cybersecurity is a critical national priority and a rapidly growing field globally. This programme is designed to develop highly skilled professionals through a unique combination of strong academic foundations and real-world experience," he said.

Sharing news on platform X. Professor and Director IIT Kanpur wrote, "A unique UG program at @IITKanpur! Meant especially for young ethical hackers. (Some of them are in the news.) Admission through a hackathon. Specialized coursework with two year long internship at security agencies. We aim to produce cyber warriors of the future."

IIT Kanpur Cybersecurity Programme: Key questions answered

Q1. Is JEE Advanced required for admission to IIT Kanpur's new Cybersecurity programme?

No. IIT Kanpur has clarified that JEE Advanced scores are not required. For the inaugural batch, JEE Main scores will only be used for shortlisting candidates before the hackathon-based selection process.

Q2. How will students be selected for the programme?

Admission will be based on a cybersecurity-focused hackathon. According to IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal, applicants will be shortlisted using their JEE Main scores and evidence of cybersecurity-related activities. The hackathon is expected to be held in the first week of July.

Q3. Who is the programme designed for?

The four-year undergraduate programme is aimed at students with a strong interest and demonstrated aptitude in cybersecurity. Agrawal said the course is intended for those who can identify vulnerabilities in complex systems and have a passion for cybersecurity rather than traditional engineering pathways.

Q4. Why is the programme four years long?

IIT Kanpur has said the duration is necessary because the curriculum includes an extended internship component. Students will undergo two years of internship experience with security agencies to gain exposure to real-world cybersecurity challenges.

Q5. Will JEE Main be mandatory in future admission cycles?

No. Agrawal indicated that the JEE Main requirement is expected to be removed from next year. Instead, IIT Kanpur plans to conduct an aptitude test for shortlisting candidates before the hackathon selection process.

IIT Kanpur said a dedicated webpage containing details about the programme, eligibility criteria and application process is expected to go live next week.