IIT Roorkee Snippets

January, 2026

77th Republic Day Celebration:

IIT Roorkee commemorated the 77th Republic Day of India with solemnity and patriotic fervour on its historic campus, reaffirming its steadfast commitment to the constitutional ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. The celebrations commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag, followed by the National Anthem, in the august presence of faculty members, students, officials, staff, and school students.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, reflected on India’s journey as the world’s largest democracy and underscored the pivotal role of higher education institutions in fostering a resilient, inclusive, and self-reliant nation, in alignment with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The programme also recognised the exemplary achievements of students, faculty, and staff across academics, research, innovation, sports, and cultural activities. Cultural performances presented by school students added vibrancy and grace to the celebrations.
The event witnessed a large gathering and was graced by Prof. U. P. Singh, Deputy Director; Prof. R. D. Garg, Dean of Resources & Alumni Affairs; Shri Prashant Garg, Registrar; faculty members; officers; staff; and students. Prof. Barjeev Tyagi, Dean (Students’ Welfare), facilitated student participation, while the General Administration Section, ensured the smooth and orderly conduct of the programme.

1975 Batch Alumni Strengthen Healthcare:

IIT Roorkee has received a Hi-Tech Ultrasound Machine donated by the alumni of the 1975 batch, marking a meaningful contribution towards strengthening healthcare services at the Institute. The advanced equipment will significantly enhance the diagnostic capabilities of the campus health facilities and support timely, accurate medical care for students, faculties, staff, and residents.
This initiative reflects the Golden Jubilee batch’s enduring association with their alma mater and their deep commitment to giving back through impactful and sustainable institutional support. The contribution stands as a testament to the alumni’s shared sense of responsibility and continued engagement with the growth and well-being of the Institute.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by Prof. K.K. Pant, Director; Prof. U.P. Singh, Deputy Director; Prof. R.D. Garg, Dean of Resources and Alumni Affairs (DoRA); Prof. Ankik Kumar Giri, Chairman, Hospital Advisory Committee and Dr. M. K. Jha, Chief Medical Officer, IIT Roorkee. 1975 Batch representatives Shri Pramod Kumar (Chemical), Shri Rajiv Mittal (Mechanical), and Shri Pramod Gupta (Electrical) were also present and shared that the contribution reflects a collective gesture of gratitude and appreciation for the education, values, and lifelong association nurtured by the Institute.

IITR Launches SANCHAY Craft Resource Centre:

IITR has established ‘SANCHAY’ - a National Craft-Based Resource Centre (CBRC) under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, approved under the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) and facilitated by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts). Led by the Department of Design, under Prof. Apurbba Kumar Sharma (Head), with Prof. Smriti Saraswat (Coordinator), Prof. Inderdeep Singh, Prof. Usha Lenka, and Prof. Bibhuti Bhattacharjya (Co-Coordinators), supported by doctoral students Syed Ifrah Asfar and Aditya Jain, the Centre will integrate craft, design, technology, and education to empower artisans, preserve India’s traditional crafts, and promote innovation, market access, and sustainable livelihoods. Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, highlighted its role in national craft revival, cultural preservation, and global creative leadership, aligning with NEP 2020, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Make in India.

IITR Drives Sustainable Rural Development:

IITR is advancing sustainable rural development in Uttarakhand through its RuTAGe Smart Village Centre (RSVC) at Khunt Village, Almora, a flagship initiative of the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, implemented with SETU Aayog, Nehir Himalayan Foundation, AARTI Foundation, the Sericulture Department, and local communities. The initiative has enabled integrated farming, livelihoods, education support, and women’s empowerment, including plantation of over one lakh mulberry saplings led by women. At Harit Khulgad Nari Shakti Utsav 2026, Shri Raj Shekhar Joshi, Vice Chairman, SETU Aayog, highlighted IITR’s role as a Lead Knowledge Institution, while Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR, emphasized technology-led empowerment, reduced migration, and women-driven innovation, reflecting the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

IITR Marks 16th National Voters’ Day:

IITR participated in the 16th National Voters’ Day, joining the nation in promoting democratic values and civic responsibility. In alignment with the Election Commission of India’s theme “My India, My Vote,” the Institute reaffirmed its commitment to encouraging informed, ethical, and inclusive electoral participation. As an institution of national importance, IITR continues to support initiatives that foster democratic awareness and active citizen engagement, particularly among youth, contributing to the strengthening of a strong and vibrant democracy.

Fit India Sundays on Cycle:

IITR hosted the first-ever FIT India ‘Sundays on Cycle’ event on 26th Jan at IIT campus, marking a significant milestone in the national fitness movement. The 58th edition of the initiative was organised in Roorkee with a special national theme celebrating first-time voters on the eve of National Voters’ Day, under the slogan “World’s Biggest Democracy Celebrates: My India, My Vote.” The event aimed to sensitise young citizens about the importance of electoral participation while promoting fitness, responsible citizenship, and community engagement among students and the wider public.

IITR Hosted Awareness Session on MSME Innovative (Design) Scheme:

IITR organized an awareness session on MSME Innovative (Design) Scheme at SIDCUL, Kotdwar on to strengthen the industry-academia interface. The programme was conducted by Design Innovation Center, IITR, in collaboration with the Department of Design, IITR, Development and Facilitation Office (DFO-MSME), Haldwani, and Sigaddi Growth Center, IIE SIDCUL, Kotdwar. The session focused on enabling cost-effective solutions, new product development, continuous improvement, and value addition for MSMEs through design-led innovation. Prof. Inderdeep Singh, Dean (Infrastructure and Coordinator of Design Innovation Center), briefed participants on the scheme, with active participation from officials of DFO-MSME, SIDCUL, District Industries Centre, public sector organizations, and regional MSME units.

IITR Hosted AHEAD 2025:

IITR hosted AHEAD 2025, the International Conference on Healthcare and Development, along with a five-day capacity-building workshop on large scale Data Analytics in Health and Well-being, highlighting its focus on policy-relevant, evidence-based research with societal impact. Organised by the AHEAD Lab, IITR, under the leadership of Dr. Pratap C. Mohanty and Dr. Manish K. Asthana, the conference brought together leading scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from India and abroad to deliberate on healthcare resilience, climate and environmental health, digital health systems, healthcare financing, demographic transitions, and structural inequalities. The inaugural session featured Prof. V.C. Srivastava, Dean (IR), IITR, Dr. Bhanu Duggal, HoD (Cardiology, AIIMS Rishikesh) and Prof. Smita Jha, HoD (Humanities and Social Sciences) IITR. Keynote and invited addresses were delivered by Prof. Sabu Padmadas (University of Southampton, UK), Dr. Margaret Triyana (World Bank), Dr. Suman Seth (University of Leeds, UK), Prof. Prakash C. Kandpal (ICCR Chair, University of Southampton), and Prof. Dibyendu Maiti (Delhi School of Economics). Supported by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, Government of India, and organised in collaboration with the Memory & Anxiety Research Group (MARG), AHEAD2025 strengthened the global policy–academia interface in healthcare and development, with the next edition scheduled at IITR from 14–16 December 2026.

IITR Hosted Food Safety Awareness Programme:

IITR hosted a Food Safety Awareness Programme on campus in alignment with advisories issued by the Office of the Additional Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA), Uttarakhand. The programme was organised at the Radhakrishnan Bhawan (RKB) Mess premises to sensitise students, wardens, mess staff and food handlers on essential food safety practices and basic on-site food testing. A Mobile Food Testing Van supported by the Government of India was deployed for live demonstrations and interactive engagement. Through proactive coordination with regulatory authorities, IITR reaffirmed its commitment to student welfare, safe food practices and public health awareness.

IITR Hosted Workshop on Disaster Risk Resilience & Mitigation:

IITR organised a high-level Workshop on Disaster Risk Resilience & Mitigation, focusing on Himalayan safety and nation-building. The event was virtually graced by Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami Ji, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, and presided over by Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR, with participation from Prof. U.P. Singh, Deputy Director, IITR; Prof. Sandeep Singh, HoD, Earth Sciences and Convenor of the Workshop, and Shri Bhagwati Prasad Raghav Ji, Zonal Convenor (Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh), Prajna Pravah. The workshop brought together policymakers, scientists, disaster-response agencies, academia and industry to advance earthquake early warning systems, AI-enabled risk analytics, geospatial hazard assessment, resilient infrastructure, capacity building, and indigenous technologies aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047 and global disaster-risk frameworks.

IITR Hosted VIRASAT 2026:

The SPIC MACAY IITR Chapter hosted VIRASAT 2026, the annual heritage festival celebrating India’s rich cultural legacy. Featuring a series of classical performances, workshops, and interactive cultural sessions led by eminent artists, Virasat 2026 aimed to foster a deeper appreciation of Indian traditions within the academic community. Aligned with SPIC MACAY’s philosophy, the festival highlighted the role of Indian art forms in promoting mental well-being, mindfulness, and emotional balance. The festival also sought to create an inclusive cultural space that encouraged holistic development, reflection, and cultural awareness among students, faculty, and the wider community at IITR.

Prof. Siddhartha Khare (M.Tech.- 2012 & Ph.D.- 2017, Civil):

Bhoomicam, a geospatial agritech startup led by Prof. Siddhartha Khare and incubated at TIDES, IITR, won the First Prize in the Elevator Pitch category at VentureStage– The Startup Pitching Event held during the IITR Alumni Global Meet 2026, marking 178 years of the institute’s legacy. Selected among the top 10 startups from 55 applicants, the startup was recognized by the Alumni Jury for its innovative and scalable geospatial solutions for precision agriculture and received a cash prize, highlighting the strength of IITR’s startup ecosystem and focus on impactful technology-led innovation.

Mr. Saurav Kumar (B.Tech. Engineering Physics, 2025):

Mr. Saurav Kumar has emerged as a national-level para swimmer, innovator and advocate of inclusive excellence. Living with a lower-limb disability, Mr. Kumar has won multiple medals at state and national championships and has been selected for the World Para Swimming Championship Series, Italy (March 2026), with full institutional support. He is also an Institute Champion in Snooker, co-founder of a TIDES-incubated startup and an innovator in assistive technology, reflecting IITR’s commitment to inclusion and student empowerment.

IITR Expands Indo-German Academic Collaboration:

A delegation from IITR, comprising Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, Prof. Vimal Chandra Srivastava, Dean IR, and Prof. Ankit Agarwal, Department of Hydrology, visited the Government of Brandenburg and Universität Potsdam, Germany, along with the Government of Uttarakhand delegation represented by Dr. Ranjit Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Technical Education, and Prof. Tripta Thakur, Vice Chancellor, Uttarakhand Technical University. The visit witnessed the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) between the Governments of Uttarakhand and Brandenburg, facilitated by IITR. The engagement included Dr. Manja Schüle, Prof. Oliver Günther, Prof. Wolfram Berger, and Dr. Vera Ziegeldorf, marking a significant step in strengthening Indo-German academic and research collaboration.

IITR Strengthens Academic Collaborations in Germany:

A delegation from IITR, along with representatives of the Government of Uttarakhand, visited the Embassy of India in Berlin to strengthen India-Germany cooperation in higher education, science, innovation, and skilling. IITR delegation comprised Prof. K.K. Pant, Director; Prof. Vimal Chandra Srivastava, Dean IR and Prof. Ankit Agarwal, Department of Hydrology, while the Uttarakhand delegation included Dr. Ranjit Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Technical Education, and Prof. Tripta Thakur, Vice Chancellor, Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University. The delegation was received by Mr. Abhishek Dubey, Dr. Dinesh Antil, and Dr. Ramanuj Banerjee, with discussions focusing on structured academic collaboration, joint research, innovation, and long-term institutional partnerships between India and Germany.

MoU Signed Between IITR & IMGENEX India Pvt. Ltd.:

IITR has developed an indigenous next-generation antibody discovery platform, marking a major step in India’s healthcare innovation. Led by Prof. Rajesh Kumar, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, the platform enables rapid and cost-effective development of advanced diagnostics and therapeutics for infectious diseases, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and emerging pathogens, enhancing national pandemic preparedness and affordable healthcare. Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR, highlighted the importance of translational research and industry collaboration in addressing societal challenges. A strategic partnership with IMGENEX India Pvt. Ltd. further enhances industry-academia collaboration, advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, national health initiatives, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

MoU Signed Between IITR & AccelESG India Pvt. Ltd.:

IITR has signed a strategic MoU with AccelESG India Pvt. Ltd. to enhance innovation, start-up development, technology commercialization, and global industry-academia collaboration, facilitated under the guidance of Prof. Abhayanand Singh Maurya. The partnership aligns with national initiatives including Atmanirbhar Bharat, Startup India, Make in India, and Digital India. Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR, highlighted the Institute’s focus on translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact through stronger industry and start-up linkages, while Mr. Sanjay Kommera, CEO, AccelESG India Pvt. Ltd., emphasised its role in accelerating research-led innovation and entrepreneurship. MoU reinforces IITR’s commitment to sustainable, market-driven research and technology transfer.

MoU Signed Between IITR & Power Finance Corporation Consulting Ltd.:

Power Finance Corporation Consulting Ltd. (PFCCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Power Finance Corporation Ltd., Government of India under the Ministry of Power, signed an MoU with IITR to collaborate on technical advisory and evaluation support for pumped storage and hydro projects, leveraging academic and research expertise. The signing event was attended by Shri Neeraj Singh, CGM, Shri Anubhav Bansal, GM, and Shri Prashant Shah, Dy. Manager, PFCCL, and was chaired by Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR, along with Prof. Vivek Malik, Dean (SRIC), Prof. Sai Ramudu Meka, ADCI, Prof. Sanjeev Prajapati, Head (HRED), Prof. Arun Kumar, Prof. Sunil Singal, Prof. M.K. Singhal, and Prof. Himanshu Jain.

IITR Alumni Global Meet 2026:

IIT Roorkee Alumni Association (IITRAA) hosted the Global Alumni Meet 2026 on 3rd January at The Taj Palace, New Delhi, celebrating 178 years of IIT Roorkee’s rich legacy. The event brought together over 500 alumni, faculty members, policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and academicians from India and abroad, highlighting the strength of the IIT Roorkee alumni network.
The meet was graced by Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR, as the Chief Guest. He was joined by Mr. Vinay Kumar Tripathi, President, IITRAA, Mr. Rajeev K. Singh, Honorary Secretary, IITRAA, and Prof. R.D. Garg, Dean of Resources and Alumni Affairs.
Held around the theme “Reinventing in the Age of AI,” the event featured impactful panel discussions. The AI and Nation Building session was moderated by Ms. Divya Bhargava and included Shri Abhishek Singh, IAS, CEO, India AI Mission; Shri Sunil Kumar, IAS, CEO, National Health Authority; Shri Sumit Bhatnagar, CEO, Freecharge; and Shri Manish Bhardwaj, IAS, Secretary, NDMA. The panel discussed the use of AI in governance, healthcare, financial inclusion, and disaster management.
The Energy and Net-Zero Transition panel, moderated by Shri Azam Ali Khan, CEO, TIDES, featured Shri Pankaj Agrawal, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Power; Shri Adhip Nath Palchaudhuri, CMD, Balmer Lawrie; and Shri Saumitra Srivastava, Director (Marketing), Indian Oil Corporation. Discussions focused on renewable energy, sustainability, and AI-driven energy systems.
The Infrastructure - Growth Multipliers session was moderated by Dr. Achal Mittal, Emeritus Scientist, CSIR-CBRI, with panelists Shri Sanjay Swarup, CMD, CONCOR; Shri Selesh Gupta, CEO, JSK Industries; Shri Manish Khilauria, MD & CEO, Protecon BTG; Shri Manoj Garg, Vice Chairman, RLDA; Dr. L.P. Singh, Director General, NCCBM; and Shri Sanjay Varshney, CEO, Signature Global. The session focused on sustainable infrastructure and technology-led development.
Adding a cultural dimension, the Poetry and Authors’ Panel featured Dr. Swati Sagar, Shri Anand Prakash, and Shri Amit Agarwal, who shared their literary journeys and highlighted the role of creativity and storytelling in an engineer’s life.
The event also showcased innovation through start-up presentations curated by TIDES, led by Shri Azam Ali Khan, followed by a Start-up Awards Ceremony judged by Shri J.K. Jain and senior industry experts. Along with batch reunions, networking sessions, and shared meals, the Global Alumni Meet 2026 emerged as a memorable celebration of knowledge, innovation, creativity, and the lasting bond of the IITR community.

Annual Event of IIT Roorkee Alumni Association, Lucknow Chapter:

The Lucknow Chapter, organized its Annual Festival at the Visvesvaraya Auditorium on 1st February 2026. The program commenced with a welcome address by the Chapter Secretary, Er. Ravindra Vaish, who extended a warm welcome to all dignitaries, alumni, and guests present on the occasion.
Forenoon session featured a panel discussion on “Recent Trends in Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security,” with eminent speakers Ms. Neha Jain, IAS, Managing Director, UPDESCO; Shri Pawan Kumar, IPS, DIG, Cyber Crime; and Prof. Saumitra Sanadhya, IIT Kanpur, moderated by Shri Rahul Mishra, Advisor to Uttar Pradesh Police. The panel highlighted the growing inevitability of artificial intelligence, emerging cyber security challenges, and the need for public awareness and vigilance against cyber frauds. The Chief Guest, Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR, addressed the gathering, emphasizing IITR’s contributions to societal, national, and global development and noting the leadership roles held by its alumni worldwide. Er. Ashok Srivastava, President of the Association, briefed the audience on the initiatives of the Lucknow Chapter, and alumni from various jubilee batches were felicitated. The event was also graced by Prof. R.D. Garg, Dean of Resources and Alumni Affairs, IITR, and Padmashri Prof. Sudhir Jain, former Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University, who shared his valuable insights.
The evening cultural program featured performances by members of the Alumni Association and their families, with Shri Rajiv Krishna, DGP, Uttar Pradesh, and IITR alumnus, as the Chief Guest, who fondly recalled his association with the institute, interacted with alumni, appreciated the performances, and conveyed his best wishes for IITR’s continued growth. The program included a qawwali on IITR memories written by Dr. K.K. Asthana; comedy plays “Logic Na Lagana Re Baba” directed by Ms. Seema Agarwal and “Mughal-e-Azam Ki Grand Rehearsal” directed by Er. K.K. Agarwal; and the dance drama “Indradhanush” conceptualized and directed by Smt. Indu Sinha, with stage lighting managed by Er. Gopal Sinha. Performers included Er. Sumer Agarwal, Shri Devendra Mohan, Er. Rajeev Rastogi, Shri Harish Chandra, Shri Pawan Verma, Shri Kamal Gupta, Smt. Anu Gupta, Smt. Madhu Mohan, Smt. Savita Agarwal, Smt. Neelima Srivastava, Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Shri Ajay Mittal, and others. The Cultural Secretary, Er. Abhishek Sharma, welcomed the guests, and the well-attended program concluded with a vote of thanks by Chapter Secretary Er. Ravindra Vaish.