New Delhi  – Recognizing the growing national focus on defense technology indigenization and the strategic importance of strengthening national security capabilities, premier academic institutions—IIT Guwahati, IIIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Jodhpur, and IIT Dharwad—have joined hands with the support of the Indian tri-service forces to establish a Nodal Centre of Excellence (CoE) for defense and national security research, innovation, and capacity building.

Named the Manekshaw Centre of Excellence for National Security Studies and Research (MCOENSSR), this newly established Centre will act as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), enabling academia and research institutions across India to collaborate and address critical challenges in defense and national security. It aims to bolster self-reliance under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative while fostering synergy between academia, government, and industry.

Vision of MCOENSSR

The Centre is envisioned to:

• Serve as a nodal organization for the Defence Forces, Security Agencies, Academia, Research Institutes, and Scientific Bodies, facilitating the integration of strategic vision, operational excellence, and technological expertise to enhance national security.
• Transform research in Defense & Security into practical applications, providing innovative solutions to the Armed Forces and Security Agencies to address the demands of next-generation hybrid warfare.
• Offer specially curated courses for personnel from the Defense, Security Forces, and Law Enforcement Agencies, focusing on new-age non-contact warfare and emerging technologies.
• Provide re-employment courses for Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), Other Ranks (ORs), and Agniveers, ensuring a smooth transition from military service to industry roles.

Institutional Focus Areas

Each participating institute will contribute its expertise in a specialized domain:

• IIT Guwahati – Communications, Controlled Blast Resistance, Shockwaves & Hypersonic Applications.
• IIT Kanpur – Cyber Security, Quantum Computing, and related technologies.
• IIT Jodhpur – Engine Design, UAVs/RPAs, and Directed Energy Weapons.
• IIT Dharwad – Design & Additive Manufacturing, Internet of Things (IoT).
• IIIT Delhi – Space & Aerospace Research, Artificial Intelligence.
• CDAC – EWS & C-UAS

Inauguration and First General Council Meeting

The official inauguration of the Manekshaw Centre of Excellence for National Security Studies and Research (MCOENSSR) and the first General Council meeting will take place at IIIT Delhi on March 3rd, 2025. This milestone event will bring together key stakeholders from academia, defense forces, and industry to chart the Centre’s roadmap towards achieving technological and strategic self-reliance in national security.

This initiative marks a significant step in strengthening India’s defense ecosystem, fostering indigenous innovation, and creating a robust knowledge base to address evolving national security challenges