New Delhi, August 26, 2025 – Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has called upon the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to lead India’s march towards an Atmanirbhar and Samriddha Bharat, stressing that the premier institutes must go beyond incremental progress to achieve a “quantum jump” in innovation, self-reliance, and inclusive growth.
Chairing the 56th meeting of the Council of IITs at IIT Delhi on Monday, Mr. Pradhan said IITs should act as catalysts for national transformation by focusing on translational research, entrepreneurship, and real-world problem solving.
Key Highlights from the Council Meeting
Inclusive Education: Emphasis on introducing regional languages as mediums of instruction alongside English.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation: IITs have nurtured 6,000+ start-ups, 56 unicorns, and nearly 5,000 patents, highlighting their role in job creation and economic growth.
Research & Development: Supported by initiatives such as the PM Research Fellowship, AI Centres of Excellence, and Research Parks, IITs are emerging as drivers of innovation and technology leadership.
National Aspirations: The Council resolved to contribute significantly to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, ensuring IITs emerge as engines of India’s civilisational resurgence and global leadership.
In a post on X, Mr. Pradhan expressed confidence that IITs will translate national aspirations into outcomes, generate large-scale employment, and strengthen India’s global standing.
Broader Roadmap Ahead
Minister of State for Education and DoNER, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, underscored that IITs were no longer just centres of learning but “engines of Innovation, Inclusion, and Transformation.” With 23 IITs, growing international campuses, and a thriving startup ecosystem, he said IITs are producing global leaders while driving India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
The Council also discussed:
Reforming PhD education and improving IITs’ global rankings.
Strengthening industry-academia collaborations and commercialisation of research.
Adapting curriculum to emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.
Elevating the IIT R&D Fair into a global innovation platform.
Supporting student mental well-being and building stronger alumni networks.
A Task Force will soon be constituted to prepare a detailed action plan for both higher and school education. Additionally, a policy to accelerate translational research and product development for self-reliance will be framed within a month.
With participation from senior policymakers, industry leaders, technologists, and academicians—including former ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu, and AICTE Chairman Prof. T.G. Sitharam—the meeting reaffirmed IITs’ pivotal role in shaping India’s innovation-led future.
