IIT Madras holds 62nd Convocation for 3227 graduands with NSA Ajit Doval as the Chief Guest

As many as 3,661 Degrees (including Joint and Dual Degrees) were awarded to the students on the 62^nd Convocation of Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), which was held in the campus on11^th July 2025.  A total of 529 PhDs were also awarded, which included PhDs, Joint Degree Ph.Ds with foreign institutions and Dual Degree PhDs.

IIT Madras has had an eventful year, with many major milestones, including incubating more than 100 deep-tech start-ups for the first time in one financial year (2024-25), filing more than 400 patents and exceeding the vision of ‘One Patent a Day’ set out by Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, admitting artists in the first batch under ‘Fine Arts and Culture Excellence’ (FACE) category, and witnessing the first-ever IIT Madras-incubated start-up going public (Ather).

Chief Guest, Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor of India, Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, Padma Vibhushan (2024) Awardee and Internationally-acclaimed Bharatanatyam Dancer being the Guest of Honour were joined by Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Madras, who presided over the Convocation in the presence of Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, faculty, staff and students.

Congratulating the graduating students and prize winners, Ajit Doval said, “It’s an honor to be at IIT Madras, a pioneering institution of national value. You are the most fortunate generation in the last 1000 years of India’s history. You have proven your intelligence, dexterity, and commitment—qualities that very few can successfully channel into tangible success. You have a great future ahead but the real question is this: will you be able to intertwine your personal growth and progress with something greater than yourself? Will you be able to contribute meaningfully to society, to your country, to the civilization to which you owe so much?”

Shri Ajit Doval added, “India is progressing rapidly. Next year, we may become one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Institutions are now developing ecosystems, infrastructure, testing equipment, laboratories, and support systems and where they don’t exist, we’ll create them.  Your alumni network is a global asset. But don’t just aim for personal comfort abroad—true success lies in what you contribute, not where you live.”

Further, Shri Ajit Doval said, “It is crucial that we develop our own indigenous technologies. As you step out into the world, remember this – carry your skills not just to earn, but to serve. Innovate not just for accolades, but for impact. And build a future that uplifts not only you, but the civilization you come from. This country has a great future—and that future is you. Dedicate yourself with purpose, do your best, and give your best.”

DEGREES BREAK-UP

During this Convocation, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, awarded degrees to 3,227 graduates including 820 B.Tech, 312 Dual Degree B.Tech and 711 M.Tech, 173 M.Sc (including joint M.Sc), 85 M.A, 181 Executive MBA, 93 MBA, 73 PG Diploma, and 250 M.S. The 529 PhD degrees also includes 10 joint degrees with universities in foreign countries including Australia, Singapore, France and Germany.

Congratulating the graduating students, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Madras, said, “Hon’ble Prime Minister has outlined a bold vision of “Viksit Bharat”—a fully developed India—by the time we celebrate 100 years of independence. A nation where opportunity is equitable, innovation is native, and growth is sustainable. But let’s be clear—Viksit Bharat is not just going to happen by itself. It will require tremendous effort from all Indians. It is not the Prime Minister’s dream alone—it is a generational responsibility. And it belongs to you, the class of 2025. You will be at the peak of your careers in 2047. It is you who will build the infrastructure, design the technologies, write the policies, and lead the institutions that shape the India of the future.”

Further, Dr. Pawan Goenka said, “You are not just graduating today. You are the architects, builders, visionaries, and dreamers—and this nation is the canvas awaiting your imagination. Whether you choose to become a researcher, entrepreneur, corporate leader, public servant, or academic, ask yourself – how can I help more? How can I help move India—not just in GDP—but in dignity, access, equity, and excellence?”

Speaking on the occasion, Guest of Honour Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, Padma Vibhushan (2024) Awardee and Internationally-acclaimed Bharatanatyam Dancer, said, “For the atomic physicist like Fritzoff Capra, the dance of Siva is the dance of the sub atomic world. The wonder is that this single piece of sculpture has immense information for one who desires. This fusion of science, technology and meta-physics is magnificently placed in front of CERN, where God-particle is being searched. This is the dichotomy in the field of research. It only proves that more inter disciplinary work is the need of the day. Only IITM can foster that.”

Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam added, “IITM has always given importance for performing arts, through its festivals. Now a new door has been opened to admit two students in recognition of their merits in fine arts and one of them is reserved for a lady. I hope there will be a day when IIT opens regular courses in humanities and performing arts in particular.”

Presenting the Director’s Report, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “IIT Madras has jumped 47 positions to be ranked at 180th position in the QS World University Rankings 2026 from being ranked 227th last year, becoming the 3rd in the country to be ranked below 200. IIT Madras has proved herself by sustaining the top ranks in the NIRF Ranking – She has retained the #1 position for the sixth year in a row for overall performance among all universities in India, #1 position among Engineering Institutes for the ninth year since inception of NIRF, and ranked #2 in the Research Institutions and Innovation categories.”

Throwing light on some of the research and industry projects underway in the campus, Prof. V. Kamakoti said, “In 2024-25, the Institute received sanction for 302 sponsored projects with a total value of INR 317.99 crores mostly funded by Government Agencies. Our strong industry collaboration is evident from the 982 consultancy and industry-sponsored research projects received this financial year amounting to INR 906.41 crores. The above is inclusive of around 70 international projects funded by foreign entities.”

Prof. V. Kamakoti added, “I am extremely happy to share that our Office of Alumni and Corporate Relations and the Office of Institutional Advancement have in 2024-25 raised INR 320 crores. Of this INR 124.4 crores was from Key Alumni and INR 195.20 under CSR.”

Following the Main Convocation in the morning, Department Degree Distribution Programmes (D3P) were held in the various academic departments, where graduating students were conferred their degrees in person

INDIAN KNOWLEDGE CENTRE INAUGURATION

Shri Ajit Doval also inaugurated a Center for Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Corridor at IIT Madras after the Convocation. The Centre will serve as an interdisciplinary research hub, bringing together faculty from diverse departments, including Humanities and Social Sciences, Civil Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, and Computer Science.

Its research will span a broad spectrum of thematic areas—Indian mathematics and astronomy, aesthetics, linguistics, Sanskrit, yoga, Indian philosophy, artificial intelligence, sustainable architecture, traditional metallurgy, Indian music, and dramaturgy.

The IKS corridor was inaugurated at Krishna Chivukula Block by Shri Ajit Doval, in the presence of the Prof. V. Kamakoti, Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam,Shri S Gurumurthi, Prof. Rajesh Kumar, Head, Dept of Humanities and Social Sciences and IKS Coordinator Prof Deepak Paramashivan, HSS Department besides other stakeholders.

The Top Medal Winners are