Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI opened at IIM Ahmedabad
IIM Ahmedabad inaugurated the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI on March 26, 2026 following a ₹100 crore donation from Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon (PGP 1975) and Ranjan Tandon. The gift — roughly $12 million — sets up the first dedicated AI school inside a major Indian business school.
The new school will focus on applied AI, management and public policy, with a clear emphasis on ethical and responsible AI applications. The launch event was attended by IIMA chairperson Pankaj Patel , director Professor Bharat Bhasker , and Ramesh Mangaleswaran from the institute’s endowment fund.
Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI: purpose and first steps
The school aims to turn AI research into practical tools for business and government decision-making. Officials said it will bridge technical AI work and management use cases so organisations can assess AI readiness, governance and risk.
To mark the opening, IIM Ahmedabad released an inaugural research report titled "Navigating the Future Trap with AI Value Compass" , developed in collaboration with Persistent Systems. The report outlines frameworks for assessing AI value, governance and ethical trade-offs.
Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI: quick facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Donor | Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon and Ranjan Tandon |
| Endowment value | ₹100 Crore (~ $12 million ) |
| Opening date | March 26, 2026 |
| Academic focus | Applied AI, Management, Public Policy |
| Inaugural report | "Navigating the Future Trap with AI Value Compass" |
| Collaborator | Persistent Systems |
Article last updated: March 27, 2026 .
The announcement did not list academic programmes, admission rules or fees. The institute said the school will serve management, government and industry stakeholders, but provided no timeline for degree launches or student intake.
You looking to specialise in AI and management should watch for programme details and application notices from the institute. IIMA is positioning the school to influence both research and practice, especially around AI governance and ethical deployment.
What the launch means for students and industry
The new school creates a focal point for AI applied to managerial problems and public policy decisions. Employers may look to IIMA’s outputs—case studies, frameworks and trained graduates—to guide AI adoption and oversight.
Exact course offerings, faculty appointments and partnerships beyond Persistent Systems were not announced at the opening. Expect further updates from IIM Ahmedabad’s official channels on programmes and collaborations.
FAQs
Q: Who donated to establish the school? A: Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon and Ranjan Tandon donated ₹100 crore .
Q: When was the school inaugurated? A: The school was inaugurated on March 26, 2026 .
Q: What will the school focus on? A: Applied AI, management, public policy and responsible AI applications.
Q: Is there an inaugural research publication? A: Yes. "Navigating the Future Trap with AI Value Compass" was released with Persistent Systems.
Q: Who attended the launch? A: IIMA chairperson Pankaj Patel , director Professor Bharat Bhasker , and Ramesh Mangaleswaran attended the ceremony.
Q: Is there information on programmes or admissions? A: No programme, eligibility or fee details were shared at the launch.
Q: How large is the endowment in USD? A: The endowment is approximately $12 million (₹100 crore).
Q: Is this the first AI school at an Indian business school? A: Yes. It is described as the first AI school within a major Indian business school.