Shri Ram College of Commerce and EY India have launched a new 12 month programme aimed at helping students develop skills relevant to the rapidly changing artificial intelligence and business environment.
The programme, called AI VIBE, stands for Varsity for Innovation, Business and Economics. It has been jointly developed by SRCC and EY India to combine academic education with practical industry exposure.
The initiative is designed to help bridge the gap between traditional classroom learning and the growing demand for artificial intelligence capabilities in the workplace.
100 students to be selected
The first cohort of the AI VIBE programme will consist of 100 students.
The programme is fully sponsored by EY India, meaning selected students will not have to pay programme fees. According to the programme information, there are no fees or hidden costs associated with participation.
Applications opened on August 17, 2026, and students have until 11.59 pm on August 23 to submit their applications.
The selection process will include an online assessment followed by interviews. The final batch is scheduled to be announced on September 9, while classes are expected to begin on September 12.
Who can apply
The programme is specifically open to eligible students of SRCC.
Second year undergraduate students pursuing B.Com. Honours and B.A. Honours Economics can apply.
First year postgraduate students pursuing M.Com. and PGDGBO are also eligible.
For undergraduate applicants, eligibility is subject to a minimum first year attendance requirement of 66.7 percent.
Students should carefully check the official eligibility conditions before submitting their applications.
Twelve month learning programme
AI VIBE will run for 12 months and will use a blended learning approach.
The programme will combine classroom teaching, live online sessions, self learning, industry interaction and practical projects.
This structure is intended to provide students with exposure to both academic concepts and real world business applications of emerging technologies.
The programme is being introduced as a quality initiative under the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of SRCC and also coincides with the college's centenary milestone.
Classroom and online learning
Students will participate in physical classroom sessions at the SRCC campus.
These sessions are planned for alternate Saturdays and will generally last between two and three hours.
Alongside campus sessions, students will attend live instructor led virtual classes.
The blended structure is designed to allow students to continue their regular academic programmes while participating in the additional AI VIBE learning activities.
Industry exposure
A key feature of the programme is direct exposure to industry professionals.
Students will have opportunities to participate in sessions with EY professionals and other industry leaders.
The programme will also include visits to EY Training Centres.
Such interactions are intended to give students a better understanding of how artificial intelligence and related technologies are being applied in business environments.
The initiative therefore goes beyond conventional academic instruction by introducing students to practical workplace challenges.
Practical projects
Students will also work on applied projects during the programme.
These projects may be completed individually or in groups, depending on the subject or learning cluster.
The project based approach is intended to help students move from theoretical understanding to practical application.
By working on real world business problems, students can develop analytical thinking, collaboration and problem solving skills.
These capabilities are increasingly important as companies adopt artificial intelligence across business functions.
Hackathons included
AI VIBE will also provide students with opportunities to participate in hackathons.
Hackathons typically involve solving specific problems within a limited period and encourage participants to apply their knowledge in practical situations.
For students, these activities can provide experience in teamwork, innovation and rapid problem solving.
The inclusion of hackathons also gives participants an opportunity to test their understanding of AI and business concepts in competitive and practical environments.
Self learning component
The programme will include guided self learning through curated courses.
Students will be expected to use these resources alongside classroom and virtual instruction.
This approach gives participants an opportunity to study concepts independently while receiving structured guidance from the programme.
Self learning can also help students explore areas that are particularly relevant to their academic background or career interests.
AI skills and employability
Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing the way businesses operate.
Companies are using AI in areas such as data analysis, automation, customer service, financial services, marketing and decision making.
As a result, students from commerce, economics and management backgrounds are also expected to develop a basic understanding of AI and its business applications.
AI VIBE is intended to provide this combination of academic and industry oriented learning.
The programme could therefore be particularly relevant for students who want to understand how AI can be applied outside purely technical fields.
Internship and career opportunities
The programme also aims to provide students with career development opportunities.
The initiative includes industry exposure and opportunities linked to internships and placements, according to the programme announcement.
However, students should carefully review the official programme terms to understand the exact eligibility, selection conditions and nature of any internship or placement opportunity.
Participation in the programme should not automatically be interpreted as a guaranteed job placement.
Application timeline
The application process began on August 17, 2026.
The deadline for submitting applications is August 23, 2026, at 11.59 pm.
The online assessment is scheduled for August 26.
Interview rounds are expected to take place between August 31 and September 4.
The final batch is scheduled to be finalised on September 9.
Classes are expected to begin on September 12.
Selection process
The first cohort will have only 100 students.
Because the number of places is limited, eligible applicants will go through a selection process.
After applications close, candidates are expected to participate in an online assessment.
Shortlisted candidates will then attend interview rounds.
The final selection will be based on the programme's prescribed criteria.
Students interested in participating should therefore submit accurate information and complete all required stages within the specified deadlines.
Why the programme matters
The launch of AI VIBE comes at a time when artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important across India's business and employment landscape.
For commerce and economics students, understanding AI can complement traditional academic skills in areas such as finance, economics, accounting, management and business analysis.
The programme's industry focused structure could allow students to understand how these disciplines interact with emerging technology.
SRCC and EY India collaboration
The programme represents a collaboration between an established academic institution and a major professional services organisation.
SRCC brings its academic environment and student community, while EY India contributes industry expertise and exposure to real world business challenges.
The collaboration is intended to create a learning model that combines academic instruction with practical experience.
No programme fee for selected students
One of the major attractions of AI VIBE is that the programme is fully sponsored by EY India.
Selected students can participate without paying programme fees.
This makes the opportunity accessible to eligible students who may otherwise find specialised industry programmes expensive.
Students should nevertheless read the official terms carefully and verify the latest information before applying.
Important points for applicants
Students planning to apply should first confirm that they meet the academic and attendance requirements.
They should then complete the application before the August 23 deadline.
Applicants should ensure that the information submitted in the form is accurate and that they retain a copy of their application details.
They should also prepare for the online assessment and interview stages.
Since only 100 students will be selected, applicants should be prepared for a competitive selection process.
Programme commencement
The first AI VIBE cohort is scheduled to begin classes on September 12, 2026.
The 12 month structure means that selected students will participate in the programme alongside their regular academic commitments.
The blended format, including campus sessions and virtual classes, is designed to provide flexibility while maintaining regular engagement.
A new approach to AI education
AI VIBE reflects a broader shift in higher education toward combining academic knowledge with practical technology skills.
Artificial intelligence is no longer limited to computer science and engineering disciplines.
Commerce, economics and management professionals are increasingly expected to understand how AI can influence business strategy, operations and decision making.
Programmes such as AI VIBE are aimed at preparing students for this changing employment environment.
Final outlook
The SRCC and EY India AI VIBE programme offers 100 selected students a fully sponsored opportunity to spend 12 months developing AI and business related skills.
The programme combines academic learning with industry interaction, practical projects, hackathons, self learning and exposure to professionals.
Applications opened on August 17 and will remain open until 11.59 pm on August 23, 2026.
The online assessment is scheduled for August 26, followed by interviews from August 31 to September 4. The final batch is expected to be announced on September 9, with classes scheduled to begin on September 12.
Eligible SRCC students interested in artificial intelligence, business and emerging technologies should check the official programme notice and complete the application within the specified deadline.