Young Engineers, Scientists and Innovators Have an Important Role in Building a Developed India: Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy
Research in Artificial Intelligence, Space, Critical Minerals, Tribal Health and Modern Technology to Gain Fresh Momentum
Meritorious Students Receive 51 Medals; Computer Science Student Sushri Aatmika Gangeli Named Overall Topper
The 17th convocation of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur was held at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium on Tuesday. Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy attended the convocation as chief guest. The institute awarded degrees in various programmes to 1,364 students, and 51 medals to students with outstanding academic performance across disciplines.
The convocation also marked a new chapter in science, technology and innovation at NIT Raipur. Union Minister Shri Reddy inaugurated seven state-of-the-art Centres of Excellence at the institute. These centres will promote advanced research and innovation in important fields such as artificial intelligence, critical minerals, space research, aerospace technology, rural and tribal health, and sustainable energy.
Raipur MP Shri Brijmohan Agrawal and Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), attended as guests of honour. Dr. Suresh Haware, Chairman of NIT Raipur’s Board of Governors, presided over the ceremony. Institute Director Prof. N.V. Ramana Rao, members of the Senate and Board of Governors, faculty members, administrative officials, students and their parents were present in large numbers.
Youth Must Define Their Role in Building a Developed India: Union Minister Shri Reddy
Addressing the convocation, Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy called upon students to participate actively in building a developed India. He said every student should resolve to make a meaningful contribution towards this goal.
He said the country faces new challenges in energy, supply chains, healthcare, employment generation and agricultural development, among other sectors. Young people should view these challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. Developing new solutions and technologies to make the country self-reliant across sectors, including foodgrain supply chains, is the need of the hour.
Shri Reddy said a principal objective of the National Education Policy 2020 is to provide skill-based, practical and employment-oriented education, rather than confining students to textbook knowledge and rote learning. The Central Government is working continuously with state governments and universities toward this objective.
He said artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing technologies will become major foundations of the future economy and employment. India’s youth have no shortage of talent or ability; they must contribute to national progress through modern technology, research and innovation.
Referring to the significant presence of Indian technology professionals in Silicon Valley, the Union Minister said approximately one-third of its technical professionals are Indian. This demonstrates the strength of Indian talent and the education system. He encouraged students to use their abilities for nation-building and the betterment of society.
Seven Centres of Excellence to Strengthen Research and Innovation
Union Minister Shri Reddy inaugurated seven state-of-the-art Centres of Excellence at NIT Raipur. These are the IndiaAI Chhattisgarh Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology; Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals; Centre of Excellence in Computational Mechanics; Centre of Space and Interplanetary Exploration (COSINE); Mairal Centre for Innovation in Rural and Tribal Health; Centre of Excellence for Aerospace and Autonomous Technologies; and Centre for Nanoscience and Sustainable Energy Technologies.
The centres will encourage interdisciplinary research across scientific and technological fields and create new opportunities for collaboration among researchers, students and industry.
They will give fresh momentum to innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence, space technology, critical minerals, nanoscience, clean energy, and rural and tribal health. They will also play an important role in developing research capabilities aligned with the country’s scientific and technological requirements.
1,364 Students Receive Degrees; Academic Excellence Recognised with 51 Medals
A total of 1,364 students received degrees at the convocation, comprising 976 undergraduate, 283 postgraduate and 105 PhD students.
Students with outstanding academic performance across branches received 51 medals, including 25 gold medals, 25 silver medals and one Institute Gold Medal.
Sushri Aatmika Gangeli, a BTech student in Computer Science and Engineering, was recognised as the overall topper for her outstanding academic achievement.
Fundamental Knowledge Is Essential alongside Modern Technology: Dr. Suresh Haware
Presiding over the ceremony, Dr. Suresh Haware, Chairman of NIT Raipur’s Board of Governors, said a convocation marks not merely the award of a degree but the beginning of a new journey in life.
He said the graduating students are the country’s future engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists and leaders. The younger generation bears responsibility for shaping the nation’s development and future.
Referring to Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy’s life journey, Dr Haware said his rise from a farming family and continued achievements in public life inspire young people.
He said that although this is an era of artificial intelligence, digital technology and automation, an understanding of fundamental scientific and technical principles remains essential. Students should continue strengthening their knowledge of core subjects while adopting new technologies. He urged students to move forward with confidence and a positive outlook, and bring honour to their institute and the country through their work.
India Must Become Self-Reliant in Critical Minerals: MP Shri Brijmohan Agrawal
Guest of honour and Raipur MP Shri Brijmohan Agrawal extended best wishes to the graduating students for a bright future. He said research and innovation are essential for the overall development of society and the nation.
Praising the seven Centres of Excellence established at NIT Raipur, he said the country remains dependent on imports for several critical minerals. Research institutions therefore have a responsibility to discover and identify these minerals domestically and develop new technologies to utilise them.
Shri Agrawal said artificial intelligence has become an important technology in today’s rapidly changing world. Students should learn it and use it in the national interest, helping India further strengthen its position in global competition.
New Technology Must Enhance the Coal Value Chain: Dr. N. Kalaiselvi
Guest of honour Dr. N. Kalaiselvi praised the higher education offered by NIT Raipur across engineering and technological disciplines. She particularly highlighted research opportunities in metallurgy and the coal sector.
Describing coal as a valuable natural resource, she said India has vast reserves, but their full economic and technological value remains to be realised. Modern research and innovation can make the coal value chain more productive and valuable.
Appreciating the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in metallurgy, Dr. Kalaiselvi emphasised the development of technologies free of carbon dioxide emissions in keeping with the goal of a self-reliant India.
She told students that, as they progress in life, they will recognise the important role their teachers and institute have played in shaping their future.
NIT Raipur Records 821 Placement Offers; Highest Annual Package Rs. 60 Lakh
NIT Raipur Director Prof. N.V. Ramana Rao delivered the welcome address and presented the institute’s annual progress report. He outlined its achievements in education, research, innovation, international rankings and placements.
He said the institute’s Centre of Space and Interplanetary Exploration (COSINE) has received formal approval. NIT Raipur has secured a place in the 1201–1400 ranking band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027.
He said NIT Raipur’s NITRRFIE has received the Bharat Incubator Award 2025. The 2026 batch received 821 placement offers, with the highest annual package reaching Rs. 60 lakh.
Eighteen faculty members and four students of the institute have been included in Stanford University’s list of the world’s top two per cent of scientists.
Prof. Ramana Rao urged students to remain lifelong learners, keep pace with new technologies and maintain their connection with the institute.
Ceremony Concludes with the National Anthem
During the convocation, meritorious students from various disciplines received medals, and undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students were awarded degrees.
The guests were honoured with mementoes at the conclusion of the programme. The ceremony ended with the national anthem.
NIT Raipur’s 17th convocation celebrated students’ achievements and renewed aspirations, while the inauguration of seven Centres of Excellence opened new opportunities for the institute in science, research and technological innovation.