Bachelors in Cybersecurity (B.Cyber.)

A new undergraduate program at IIT Kanpur

Program run by the Wadhwani School of AI and Intelligent Systems

Director's Address

Dean's Message

Prof. Nitin

Prof. Nitin Saxena

Dean

Shape the future of technology with the IIT Kanpur Wadhwani School of AI and Intelligent Systems (WSAIS). Launched in 2025, WSAIS is thrilled to announce two groundbreaking, Senate-approved undergraduate programs debuting in July 2026: B.Tech. in Intelligent Systems (BTIS) and a Bachelor's in Cybersecurity (B.Cyber). We invite aspiring innovators to join these premier programs, master cutting-edge technologies, and build the secure, AI-driven global economy of tomorrow.

Salient Features of the Program

First 2 years of course work at IIT Kanpur

Next 2 years of internship, primarily at selected government organizations (some stipend may be paid by the organizations during this period)

Shortlisting based on JEE Main scores and evidence of prior work in cybersecurity, followed by a test at IIT Kanpur which will include an in-person hackathon.

An IIT Kanpur degree and alumnus status for candidates completing the program successfully.

Semester 1

  • Introduction to Electronics
    14 credits
  • Practical Ethics
    3 credits
  • Fundamentals of computing
    14 credits
  • Fundamentals of Data Engineering (Data)
    12 credits
  • Lab: Malware analysis
    8 credits

Semester 2

  • Applied Cryptography
    9 credits
  • Data Structures and Algorithms
    12 credits
  • Computer Organization
    12 credits
  • Lab: Digital Forensics
    8 credits
  • Course from predefined list
    9 to 13 credits

Semester 3

  • Fundamentals of Data Engineering (Ops)
    12 credits
  • Operating Systems
    13 credits
  • Lab: Cloud Computing and Security
    8 credits
  • Lab: Vulnerability Assessment & Pen Testing
    8 credits
  • Departmental Elective
    9 credits

Semester 4

  • Introduction to Psychology
    11 credits
  • Computer Networks
    9 credits
  • 2 courses from predefined list
    9+9 credits
  • Lab: Network & Web Application Security
    8 credits

Semesters 5 to 8

  • Internship
    54 credits each semester

Program Fee

Same as for regular students of IIT Kanpur

Female Candidates (All Categories): ₹1,600

SC/ST/PwD Candidates: ₹1,600

All Other Candidates: ₹3,200

Click here for more information

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Criteria

Class 12th or equivalent. Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in 12th standard; and must have taken 5 subjects in this standard.

Age Criteria

Candidates should have been born on or after October 1, 2001.

Open Schooling

Candidates from NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) are eligible.

Citizenship Criteria

Only Indian nationals are eligible for the program.

Other Important Criteria

Number of Attempts

A candidate can apply to this program a maximum of two times, and these two applications must only be in consecutive years.

Earlier/Concurrent admission at IITs

To prevent a candidate from taking up the seat in two different programs in the current year, as well as to prevent a student from being enrolled in any other program at the same time.

Further, as per the eligibility criteria for applying to the B.Cyber. program 2026, the following is stated:

"A candidate should NOT have been admitted to an IIT under any academic program that is listed in JoSAA Business Rules of 2025, irrespective of whether or not the candidate continued in the program OR accepted an IIT seat by reporting "online" / at a "reporting centre" in the past."

"Candidates whose admission to IITs was cancelled (for whatever reason) after joining any IIT are also NOT eligible to apply for the B.Cyber. program 2026."

Candidates who have been admitted to a preparatory course in any of the IITs for the first time in 2025 can apply for the B.Cyber. program 2026.

"The candidates who were allocated a seat in an IIT through JoSAA 2025 but (i) did not report "online" / at any "reporting centre" OR, (ii) withdrew before the last round of seat allotment, OR, (iii) had their seat cancelled (for whatever reason) before the last round of seat allotment for IITs, are eligible to apply for the B.Cyber. program 2026."

Tentative Timeline

Portal launch and application form opening

15th June 2026

Last date to apply

22nd June 2026

Intimation to shortlisted candidates

25th June 2026

Admission test

5th July 2026

IIT Kanpur Campus
Announcement of results

Wednesday, 8th July 2026

Selected candidates to report to IIT Kanpur

21st July 2026

Details of Admission Test

  • Will be updated soon

Application Process

Will be updated soon

Shortlisting and selection process

  • The shortlisting will be done on the basis of the best JEE Mains score of any session of 2025 or 2026 of the candidates and evidence of any prior work done in the domain of cybersecurity.
  • Tie-breaking rule: Same score – younger candidate will be considered.
  • The shortlisting criteria will be decided by the admission committee. The decision of the admission committee will be final.

Exit Options

Certificate in Cybersecurity

Permitted exit upon successful completion of:

150 Credits
Diploma in Cybersecurity

Permitted exit upon successful completion of:

200 Credits

Maximum duration of the course

  • Students need to complete the program within a maximum duration of 6 years.
  • An extension of at most 1 year is permissible in the course work (1st and 2nd years of the curriculum), and an extension of at most 1 year is permissible in completing the internship (3rd and 4th year of the curriculum).

Placement support

Placement support will be provided to the candidates who successfully complete the program.

Note: This program is meant only for students with a background and a deep interest in Cybersecurity. Other students may find the program challenging.