IIT Roorkee Snippets

February, 2026

First Rank in Architecture:

IITR secured the First Rank in Architecture, reaffirming the long-standing leadership of its Department of Architecture and Planning, which had consistently ranked at the top in national rankings, including NIRF and India Today, over several years. The recognition was conferred at India Today Education Conclave, as India Today Group celebrated its 50th anniversary. The award was presented during the “Presentation of India Today Best Colleges and University Awards” by Sri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Education, Government of India. The award was received by Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR, and Prof. Naveen Kumar Navani, Dean (Academic Affairs). Prof. Pant also contributed to the Innovation Hub panel discussion, where he shared insights on innovation-driven education, institutional leadership, and national impact.

First Prize in Astronomical Instruments Competition:

A team of three UG students, Ms. Swastika Sanghi, Mr. Himanshu Sejwal, and Mr. Aman Jain, volunteers of the Sanskrit Club secured First Prize (Category 2 - UG Level) in the Astronomical Instruments Competition organised by the Indian Knowledge Systems Division, Ministry of Education, Government of India. Mentored by Prof. Anil Kumar Gourishetty (Physics), the team recreated classical instruments from Jantar Mantar, including Samrāṭa Yantra, Ṣaṣṭhāṁśa Yantra, Jaya Prakāśa Yantra, Rāma Yantra, Nāḍī Valaya, Dakṣiṇottara Bhitti Yantra, and Digaṁśa Yantra. Entries were judged on clarity, accuracy, constructability, economics, and creativity. The award will be conferred at the International Conference “Mahakala: The Master of Time” in Ujjain from April 3-5, 2026.

IITR - Soket Labs Strategic Collaboration in AI Research:

IITR entered into a strategic collaboration with Soket Labs Technology and Research Private Limited to advance research and innovation in Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI. The partnership focused on developing foundational and domain-specific large language models under Project EKA, encompassing high-quality dataset curation, robust evaluation frameworks, and student engagement in large-scale AI training initiatives. The collaboration aimed to strengthen translational research, technology development, and capacity building in emerging AI domains, reinforcing IITR’s commitment to responsible AI development and contributing to India’s national AI mission.

IITR Advances Sustainable Wastewater Reuse Research:

IITR research has highlighted innovative approaches to wastewater reuse and resource recovery using microalgal photogranules, advancing energy-efficient and circular solutions for sustainable water management. The study is led by Prof. Sanjeev Kumar Prajapati, Principal Investigator, Environment and Biofuel Research Laboratory (EBRL), Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy, with contributions from Mr. Harshit Tiwari, and integrates wastewater treatment with algal biorefinery principles to enable nutrient recovery, pollution control, and water reuse. Aligned with national initiatives including the National Water Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat Mission, and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the research supports circular bioeconomy, climate action, and resource efficiency. Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR, emphasised the importance of science-driven, globally relevant solutions for long-term environmental and economic resilience.

IITR Hosted 18th E-Summit 2026:

The three-day E-Summit unfolded as a vibrant convergence of ideas, innovation, and inspiration, bringing together leaders from industry, startups, government, and the creator economy. The summit opened with an inaugural address by Chief Guest Mr. Vinod Bahety, followed by a fireside chat with Mr. Mohit Yadav, Co-Founder of Minimalist and Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR. The programme featured diverse panels on government insights, women-led entrepreneurship, AI in business, creator economy, startup scaling, and leadership, alongside keynote sessions, competitions, live startup showcases, and parallel workshops. Cultural evenings with dance and comedy performances added vibrancy. The summit concluded with inspiring final sessions and a spectacular Drone Show, marking a memorable close.

IITR Hosted SAHYOG 2.0:

IITR initiated the drafting of a comprehensive Mental Health Policy for the IIT community, with the first draft prepared by the Institute’s Wellness Centre in collaboration with Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR; Dean (Student Welfare); Associate Dean (Student Wellness); clinical psychologists; faculty members; and eminent external advisors. The initiative gained national momentum through SAHYOG 2.0, building on SAHYOG 1.0 (2024) and aligned with directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and UGC. The inter-IIT dialogue brought together Deans, faculties, and mental health professionals from IITs, along with experts from AIIMS Rishikesh, GMCH Chandigarh, IHBAS, KGMU, TISS, IOP Kolkata, OP Jindal Global University, Mariwala Health Initiative, Delhi University, UPSIFS, and a Supreme Court Advocate, strengthening institutional mental health governance.

IITR Hosted Indo-Danish Stakeholder Workshop:

IITR organised the Indo-Danish Stakeholder Workshop on Digitalised Green Hydrogen Ecosystems (H2-BRIDGE) under the Indo-Danish Bilateral Research Initiative, advancing collaborative pathways for scalable Green Hydrogen solutions aligned with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. The workshop brought together policymakers, diplomats, industry leaders, and researchers. The inaugural session was graced by His Excellency Mr. Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of Denmark to India, and Prof. U.P. Singh, Deputy Director, IITR, with experts Prof. Yvonne Dittrich (IT University of Copenhagen); Prof. Kaushik Das (DTU Wind and Energy Systems); Prof. Rohit Bhakar (MNIT Jaipur); Prof. R.R. Sonde (BITS Pilani); and Prof. Deep Kiran (Electrical), IITR. The H2-BRIDGE program involved IITR, MNIT Jaipur, IITM, IT University of Copenhagen, DTU, and Innovation Centre Denmark, with participation from ONGC, NTPC, NHPC RE Limited, MNRE, Ministry of Power, Central Electricity Authority, TERI, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd., and Energy Exemplar.

IITR Hosted EV Innovation Training for Rural Youth:

IITR organised an EV innovation training programme at EV Innovation Lab for trainees from rural and underserved communities of Uttarakhand, offering exposure to advanced technologies. Participants received hands-on training in 3D printing, covering CAD modelling, printer operation, material selection, and troubleshooting, along with insights into EV technologies such as battery cells, battery pack assembly, the EV manufacturing ecosystem, and charging infrastructure. Interactive sessions on Industry 5.0, AI/ML, emerging EV trends, and policy challenges further enriched learning. Supported by Ambuja Foundation and ICICI Foundation, the initiative aligns with Viksit Bharat @2047, Skill India Mission, and Atmanirbhar Bharat, fostering inclusive, future-ready skill development.

IITR Hosted RWC 2026:

IITR in collaboration with NIH, inaugurated the 4th Roorkee Water Conclave (RWC 2026) from February 23-25, 2026 on the theme “Transboundary Water Cooperation Through Nexus Approach.” The biennial conclave brought together global policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and water professionals to deliberate on sustainable transboundary water management, climate resilience, groundwater sustainability, and the water-energy-food nexus. The inaugural session was chaired by Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR with Dr. Y.R.S. Rao as Co-Chairman and Prof. Ashish Pandey as Convener. Addresses were delivered by Prof. K.K. Pant, Dr. Y.R.S. Rao, and Dr. Mark Smith, along with special addresses by Padma Shri awardees Sri Umashankar Pandey, Sri Savjibhai Dholakia, and Sri Popat Rao Pawar, and a keynote by Dr. Vinod K. Paul. RWC 2026 featured 42 international keynote speakers and a high-level panel on community participation and socioeconomic aspects of water cooperation.

Alumni Career Talk by Kritagya Nayyar (B.Tech. Biotechnology, 2020) and Ruchi Awasthi (B.Arch., 2021):

Alumni Career Talk (ACT) was successfully conducted on February 20, 2026 at MAC Auditorium, IITR. The session witnessed an enthusiastic turnout of students eager to gain clarity on careers in Product Management and AI in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. Organized by DoRA in collaboration with IARC, the event focused on the theme “Figuring Out Careers in the Age of Rapidly Changing Products & AI.” The speakers shared their personal career journeys from IITR to global tech roles at Adobe and Pure Storage offering practical insights into breaking into Product Management, understanding AI-driven roles, and staying relevant in a fast-changing industry. The interactive nature of the session, combined with real-world examples and honest career advice, made it highly engaging for students across branches and years. Such initiatives continue to strengthen the alumni-student connection while equipping students with the guidance and perspective needed to navigate modern career paths with confidence.

Prof. Vipin Kumar (B.E. ECE, 1977):

Regents Prof. Vipin Kumar has been appointed to the United Nations Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, the first global scientific body on AI established by the UN General Assembly. Selected from over 2,600 global applicants through UN-led review, Prof. Kumar is among 40 internationally recognized AI leaders from academia, industry, and government. The panel will provide independent, evidence-based assessments of AI’s opportunities, risks, and societal impacts, serving as the UN’s authoritative scientific voice on AI. A pioneer in integrating machine learning with climate and Earth system science, Prof. Kumar developed Knowledge-Guided Machine Learning to embed scientific principles into AI. His distinguished career includes leadership in high-performance computing and numerous honors from ACM and IEEE. His appointment highlights his global impact and commitment to responsible AI for the public good.

Sri Shalabh Goel (B.E. Electrical, 1988):

Sri Shalabh Goel, Managing Director of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), has been appointed as the General Manager of Central Railway, Mumbai. 1989 batch officer of Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE), Sri Goel brings over three decades of experience across operational, administrative and technical domains of Indian Railways. He has previously served as Executive Director in the Ministry of Railways, Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division, Central Railway, Chief Electrical Locomotive Engineer, Central Railway, and Senior Deputy General Manager-cum-Chief Vigilance Officer of Western Railway. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he effectively managed critical train operations in Mumbai Division. Sri Goel has also worked with Northern and Western Railways, the Ministry of Railways, and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. At NCRTC, he oversaw the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS project, India’s first rapid regional rail system.

Sri Rajesh Kumar Pathak (B.E. Civil, 1992):

Sri Rajesh Kumar Pathak, a 1995 batch Civil Service Officer of the IP & TAFS cadre, has been appointed as Secretary, Technology Development Board (TDB). With over 25 years of experience, he has served in various capacities across Central Government ministries, statutory bodies, PSUs and autonomous organizations, handling finance, administration, policy, and regulatory functions. Prior to joining TDB, he was Member (Finance), Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Earlier, as Director (Wireless Finance) in the Department of Telecommunications, he played a key role in successfully conducting the 2016 national spectrum e-auction, which received the CVC Excellence Award (2017) for transparency.

Sri Ayush Gupta (B.E. Electrical, 1992):

Sri Ayush Gupta, Director (HR) at GAIL (India) Limited, was honored with the Distinguished Leadership Honour at the TOI National CSR Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event was attended by senior officials from GAIL, government officials, and leaders from the corporate, civil society, academia, and development sectors, and was graced by the Vice President of India, Sri C.P. Radhakrishnan.
This recognition highlights GAIL’s ongoing commitment to responsible energy leadership and social responsibility, emphasizing its focus on inclusive and sustainable nation-building initiatives. Sri Gupta’s leadership in human resources and corporate social responsibility has played a key role in driving impactful programs that support GAIL’s vision of combining energy excellence with societal development.

Mr. Utpal Borpujari (M.Tech. Applied Geology, 1993):

National Award-winning filmmaker Mr. Utpal Borpujari has added one more glory to his career. His Assamese short fiction film “Xogun” (Vulture) won the Best Short Film at the 9th Assam State Film Awards recently. The film was earlier screened at prominent film festivals across the world. A former journalist & film critic, Mr. Borpujari won Swarna Kamal at the 50th National Film Awards for film criticism, and later won another National Award for his debut feature "Ishu" (Assamese), which also won several awards and nominations and travelled to a host of international film festivals. His documentaries “The House of Baruas”, “Mask Art of Majuli”, "Memories of a Forgotten War", "Songs of the Blue Hills", "Mayong: Myth/Reality", etc., have also won several awards and been screened widely in film festivals. He has also written and directed a number of corporate films and prestigious 3D Projection Light & Sound shows. Mr. Borpujari is currently a member of the Society of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and the Board of Advisors of Indian Institute of Creative Skills (IICS).

Dr. Sanjeet Dwivedi (M.E. Electrical, 1999):

Dr. Sanjeet Dwivedi has been appointed as a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Power Electronics Society (IEEE PELS). The appointment is based on global peer evaluation of technical expertise, research contributions, and engagement across academia and industry in the field of power electronics. This program identifies a select group of international experts who deliver lectures worldwide and contribute to advancing research and technology in power electronics, electrification, and sustainable energy systems. The program facilitates knowledge dissemination in areas such as power converters, electric drives, and grid integration, while also supporting student and faculty development through direct interaction with global specialists. Dr. Dwivedi has acknowledged the role of IITR in shaping a strong academic foundation in power electronics and energy systems and has expressed interest in contributing to the institute through lectures, mentorship, and collaborative initiatives in emerging areas including green hydrogen, advanced converters, and grid-connected renewable energy systems.

Mrs. Aakansha Sharma Kutumbale (M.Tech. Civil, 2011):

Mrs. Aakansha Sharma Kutumbale successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, on January 30, 2026, after earlier climbing Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak, on September 25, 2025, both part of the Seven Summits. With these feats, she became the first person from Indore and Kota, and among the very few from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, to scale both peaks. Her trekking journey began with the Himalayan Explorers Club of IITR. She later completed Basic and Advanced Mountaineering and Skiing courses at the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, Pahalgam. Originally from Kota and now based in Indore, she runs a structural design consultancy and training firm with her husband, Mr. Ashutosh Kutumbale (M.Tech. Civil, 2011) an IITR alumnus.

MoU Signed Between IITR & Adani Cement:

IITR and Adani Cement strengthened academia-industry collaboration for entrepreneurship through the exchange of an MoU under the FutureX programme. The MoU seeks to create a robust framework for fostering innovation-driven entrepreneurship by enabling structured engagement between faculty, students, startups, and industry experts. The collaboration will provide mentorship, industry exposure, and access to real-world problem statements, while supporting startup incubation, technology development, and skill enhancement. Through the FutureX programme, the partnership aims to bridge the gap between academic research and industry application, nurture future-ready entrepreneurs, and contribute to sustainable, scalable, and impactful enterprise development aligned with national innovation goals.

IITRAA Mumbai Chapter - Technical Connect Initiative:

As part of the IITRAA’s Tech Connect Initiative, IITRAA Mumbai Chapter organized an engaging workshop titled “Improving Communication Through Storytelling” on February 08, 2026. The session was conducted by Ms. Mrinal Pareek (M.Sc. Biotechnology, 2007), and was coordinated by Mr. Amar Kaul, alumni coordinator.
The workshop highlighted the critical role of precise and timely communication in both personal and professional spheres. Through an interactive and relatable approach, the speaker emphasized the importance of maintaining a “just right” level of positive communication, as both under-communication and over-communication can adversely affect outcomes. Participants from a wide age group found the session highly engaging. A key takeaway was the concept of “CLEAR” communication, which can be effectively applied across daily life, workplaces, and interpersonal relationships.

Pre - Diamond Jubilee Reunion 1968 Batch:

IITR hosted Pre-Diamond Jubilee Reunion of 1968 Batch on campus, celebrating the enduring bond between the Institute and its alumni. The reunion witnessed the enthusiastic participation of around 20 alumni along with their families, who returned to their Alma Mater to relive fond memories and reconnect with old friends. The programme blended nostalgia with joyful engagement, as the alumni enjoyed a screening of the classic movie “Andaaz Apna Apna” and participated in the Tambola game, which added a lively and interactive element to the gathering. A special highlight of the reunion was the plantation of a Rudraksha tree at Saraswati Mandir, symbolising reverence, continuity, and the alumni’s lasting association with the Institute. The event provided a warm platform for shared reminiscences and informal interactions, reaffirming the lifelong connection of the 1968 Batch with IITR.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our esteemed alumni for visiting IITR. It is always a pleasure to warmly welcome you back to your Alma Mater!

• Sri Ras Behari Johri (Dip. Civil, 1956) paid a gracious visit to IITR on February 12, 2026. His visit was truly inspiring and reflected his enduring association and affection for his Alma Mater.

• Sri Sunit Shukla (B.E. Electrical, 1978), accompanied by his family, visited DoRA office on February 20, 2026. The visit was marked by warm interactions and served as a wonderful reminder of the strong and lasting bond between our alumni and the Institute.