Ministry of Education
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan chairs 56th Meeting
of the Council of Indian Institutes of Technology
(IITs) Held at IIT Delhi
IIT Council takes forward PM’s Vision of ‘Atmanirbharta se
Samriddha Bharat’
Education Minister Calls on IITs to Drive Quantum Leap in
Innovation and Self-Reliance
IITs Emerging as Engines of Growth with over 6000 Start-
ups, 56 Unicorns, and nearly 5000 Patents - Shri
Dharmendra Pradhan
Posted On: 25 AUG 2025 7:15PM by PIB Delhi
The 56th Meeting of the Council of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) was convened on 25th August 2025 at IIT
Delhi, under the Chairmanship of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education.
The Council unanimously resolved to take forward PM’s vision of ‘Atmanirbharta se Samridha
Bharat’ across its all stakeholders.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan emphasised positioning IIT education as a catalyst for an Atmanirbhar and
Samriddha Bharat. He stressed the PM’s directive that the country is not aiming for incremental
change but for quantum jump and encouraged the IITs to take lead in this direction. He specifically
urged the IITs to promote Indian languages by introducing regional languages in addition to English
as the medium of instruction of courses for inclusive growth. He highlighted that IITs must produce
job creators, not job seekers, by solving real-world problems, and promoting translational research in
critical technologies of national importance.
Underscoring the transformative role of IITs in advancing technological self-reliance and global
leadership, The Minister pointed to their growing impact on entrepreneurship and innovation, aligned
with the Prime Minister’s vision of Reform, Perform, Transform. With over 6,000 start-ups, 56
unicorns, and nearly 5,000 patents, IITs have emerged as engines of economic growth and symbols of
India’s aspirations in the Amrit Kaal. Supported by initiatives such as the PM Research Fellowship,
Centres of Excellence in AI, and vibrant research parks, IITs are driving world-class research and
industry partnerships.
Our IITs will lead from the front in shaping a Samriddh Bharat by 2047.
While discussing strategies on how our IITs can assume a greater role in
fulfilling national aspirations and priorities, reiterated what Hon’ble PM Shri @
narendramodi ji had said yesterday— “No incremental… pic.twitter.com/I3CuC
Yk1Iq
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 25, 2025
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education and DoNER
underlined the pivotal role of IITs in shaping India’s higher education and innovation ecosystem. He
emphasized that IITs are not just centres of learning but engines of Innovation, Inclusion, and
Transformation, driving India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047. Highlighting their global
impact, the Minister said IITs have produced world-class technologists, entrepreneurs, and leaders
who are transforming industries and societies worldwide. He noted that with 23 IITs, international
campuses, and a thriving startup ecosystem, IITs are at the forefront of research, innovation, and
nation-building, ensuring India continues to R.I.S.E. through Research, Innovation, Skills, and
Entrepreneurship.
The meeting also witnessed the participation of dignitaries including Members of Parliament Dr.
Rabindra Narayan Behera and Shri Tanuj Punia, Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, former Chairman of ISRO;
Dr. Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho Corporation; Shri Senapathy ‘Kris’ Gopalakrishnan, Chairman of
the Council of IISc Bangalore; Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman-Executive Committee, NAAC
and Chairman NETF; Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar, former UGC Chairman; Shri Chamu Krishna
Shastry, Founder of Samskrita Bharati; Ms. Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog; Shri
Deepak Bagla, CEO (Atal Innovation Mission); Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher
Education; Shri Neeraj Mittal, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications; Prof. Abhay
Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Department of
Biotechnology; Shri S. Somanath, former Secretary, ISRO& Secretary , Department of Space; Dr.
Sekhar C. Munde, foremer Secretary, DSIR & Director General, CSIR; Prof. T.G. Sitharam,
Chairman AICTE; Shri T.V. Narendran, Chairman IIT Kharagpur; Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman IIT
Madras; Shri Adil Siraj Zainulbhai, Chairman IIT Ropar; Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar, Chairman IIT
Jodhpur; Dr. B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, Chairman IIT Hyderabad; Shri Sanjiv Puri, Chairman IIT
Gandhinagar; Adv. Harish Salve, Chairman IIT Delhi; Prof. Prem Vrat, Chairman IIT(ISM) Dhanbad;
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Singh, Chairman IIT Bhubaneswar; Shri Ramesh Venkateswaran, Chairman IIT
Palakkad; Shri Sharad Kumar Saraf, Chairman IIT Jammu; Dr. Suresh Haware, Chairman IIT Bhilai
as well Directors of the IITs and senior officials of the Ministry of Education.
A short 5 minute movie was presented to learn from the hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision
articulated on this Independence Day on how technology, research and entrepreneurship, can drive
aatmanirbharta and contribute to the realisation of a Samridha Bharat.
The Council then deliberated on key strategic issues shaping the future of the IITs and their role in
national development.
Discussions were held on reforming Ph.D. education to enhance quality, global relevance, and
research outcomes, boost global rankings, attract top-tier talent, and strengthen the IITs’ reputation
as hubs of advanced research. Extensive deliberations were held on the commercialisation of research
within HEIs.
The Council also highlighted adapting the curriculum and pedagogy on real time basis with the
advent of Artificial Intelligence. It was decided to constitute a Task Force to come up with detailed
action plan for Higher and School Education for the country.
Further, the socio-economic and global impact of IITs was acknowledged, particularly through their
alumni, who have evolved into global leaders, innovators, and wealth creators. The Council
emphasised the importance of leveraging alumni networks for mentorship, industry linkages, and
student development.
The importance of Mental Wellbeing was stressed, and various models adopted by different IITs
were shared. It was also suggested to promote healthy living habits inside the campuses, as well as
to have an annual health check up.
The role of IITs in translational research aligned with national priorities and societal needs was
underscored. The need of a strong connect between Industry, Academia and Policy makers was
underlined. Various suggestions and practices were mentioned. It was decided to come up with a
policy within a period of 1 month, suggesting various practical methods, so that translational research
and product development can happen in Indian Campuses to make Bharat Atmanirbhar.
Strategic roadmap, IITs@2047, was discussed to guide the future development of IITs in
accordance with the aspirations of a resurgent and Viksit Bharat. Additionally, measures for pushing
recruitment as per CEI Act within IITs were examined. The Council also recognized the need to
elevate the IIT R&D Fair into a globally renowned platform to encourage innovation, strengthen
industry and international collaborations, and attract investment. Discussions also included support
for international students participating in internship programs at IITs and addressing challenges
faced by foreign faculty members.
It was further shared that IITs are actively promoting regional and Indian languages through courses,
translated materials, mentoring, and support centers like Shivani, as well as tools like Bhashini, to
foster inclusivity. The Council resolved to take every step to facilitate learners from different bhasha
backgrounds so that they are able to learn effectively.
*****
MV/AK
(Release ID: 2160698)
Read this release in: Urdu , Hindi
