Gandhinagar : The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) organized its 15th Convocation today at the Helipad Exhibition Centre (HEC), Gandhinagar, where 733 students graduated and 734 degrees were awarded across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes.
The Convocation Address was delivered by Neelkanth Mishra, Chief Economist, Axis Bank, Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), and Member, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), who was present to honour the Convocation. The Guest of Honour was Prof Pai-Chi Li, President of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), along with members of the Board of Governors, faculty, staff, alumni, graduating students and their families.
The graduating batch included 225 women and 508 men from 26 states and Union Territories of India and international students from Mauritius and Nepal. The Institute awarded 107 PhD degrees, a reflection of the continued emphasis on research, innovation and interdisciplinary education at IIT Gandhinagar. Students graduated from PhD, MTech, BTech-MTech Dual Degree programmes, MSc, MA, Executive Master’s, PGDIIT, Dual Major BTech, BTech, and BSc. Besides, one student passing out from BTech-MTech Dual Degree programme was awarded BTech and MTech degrees each, making the total number of degrees awarded to 734. The Convocation also marks the graduation of the pioneer batches from the Executive Master’s Programme, MTech in Integrated Circuit Design and Technology, and MTech in Artificial Intelligence.
The chief guest for the convocation Neelkanth Mishra, Chief Economist, Axis Bank, Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and Member, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) spoke about India’s unique economic opportunity, the challenges of escaping the middle-income trap, and the need for the country to become a technology and product-driven nation, addressing the graduating Class of 2026. He stressed that India cannot depend on global trends or foreign technology alone but has to build its own innovation ecosystem, invest in deeptech capabilities and develop globally competitive products across multiple strategic sectors.
He said that the future of India will be shaped not just by policymakers and economists but also by the choices made by the youth of today and urged the graduates to take risks, pursue technological excellence and strive to build a self-reliant and globally competitive India.
“The journey of India becoming a technological superpower will not be decided by politicians, bureaucrats or economists. This will be decided by the decisions of the young men and women who are sitting in this convocation hall today. Don’t take the easy way out. “Embrace the challenges, have the courage to fail in the pursuit of something meaningful, and help build an India that is secure, self-reliant and technologically strong,” he opined.
Prof Pai-Chi Li, President of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), served as the Guest of Honour and, while virtually addressing the convocation, congratulated the graduates on their achievements and wished them continued success and growth.
Dr L N Dorairajan, Executive Director, AIIMS Rajkot, guest of honour who was also present during the award ceremony presided over the function.
Congratulating the graduating class, Prof Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar, said, “Our graduates are graduating from IIT Gandhinagar not only with degrees, but with the ability to think critically, learn continuously and contribute meaningfully to society. Prof Moona expressed his confidence that the students will apply their knowledge, skills, and values to make a positive impact in their respective fields and communities.
“The world that our graduates are entering is changing rapidly, driven by technology, new ideas and new opportunities. We hope they remain curious, adaptable and purpose-driven as they navigate this journey. “At IIT Gandhinagar, we have made it a point to nurture not only academic excellence, but also the values of integrity, empathy and leadership which will enable them to contribute meaningfully to society and tackle the challenges of a rapidly changing world”, he continued.
As part of the Convocation celebrations, IIT Gandhinagar celebrated the exceptional achievements of students at its annual Awards Ceremony on June 19, recognising students for their excellence in academics, research, leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, sports, arts and culture and community engagement.
Jaidev Sanjay Khalane (BTech), Sharma Kanhaiya Vijay (MSc and MA) and Aditya Kant (MTech) received the President’s Gold Medal for outstanding academic excellence, leadership qualities and all round achievement.
The Director’s Gold Medal was awarded to Shambhavi Agrawal (BTech), Akshat Khanna (PhD), Sayan Bera (MSc and MA), and Tejas Komalsingh Girase (MTech) for their excellent academic performance and contribution to the Institute community.
The maximum number of students graduating were from Gujarat (104), followed by Maharashtra (84), Uttar Pradesh (81), Rajasthan (74), West Bengal (58), Madhya Pradesh (40.
A total of 46 medals and awards were presented during the Awards Ceremony, including three President’s Gold Medals, four Director’s Gold Medals, four Gold Medals for Outstanding Research, 20 Institute Gold Medals awarded to academic toppers across disciplines, one Pioneer Batch Medal for Outstanding Leadership, and 14 Commendation Awards recognising excellence in sports, entrepreneurship, student initiatives, arts and culture, and social service. Other award winners included Siddharth Sachin Doshi, who received the Pioneer Batch Medal for Outstanding Leadership; Mohammadrashid Pathan, who received the Commendation for Outstanding Performance in Sports; Sreejith A Nair, who received the Gold Medal for Outstanding Research (PhD); and Chandrabhan Patel, who received the Commendation for Outstanding Leadership in Student Activities.
Jaidev Sanjay Khalane, winner of the President’s Gold Medal, said, “To receive the President’s Gold Medal is a prestigious honour and a moment I will cherish forever. My experiences at IIT Gandhinagar have been genuinely transformational, supported by outstanding faculty guidance, multidisciplinary research and world-class facilities. My ambition is to be at the cutting edge of research and real-world impact. My guiding principle is that technology always has to serve people. IIT Gandhinagar has given me not just education but a purpose in life.”
Shambhavi Agrawal, recipient of the Director’s Gold Medal (BTech) and Institute Gold Medal in Electrical Engineering, said, “It’s fantastic to be recognised by the Institute for my work and achievements. “I didn’t think I’d get two medals, which makes it even more special.” “I was given a platform to pursue my interests in academics and research, sports, arts and culture, and leadership at IIT Gandhinagar. The Institute has given me the opportunity to grow, both professionally and personally and I have made friends and memories that I will cherish forever. I will be joining Qualcomm soon as a Software Engineer and hope to pursue a Master’s degree in future.”
The Institute conferred the prestigious Institute Fellow Award to Prof D P Roy and Prof G K Sharma for their distinguished contribution to the growth and development of IIT Gandhinagar. The award, which is considered one of the Institute’s highest recognitions, is awarded to individuals whose leadership, service and contributions continue to inspire future generations.
For several years, IIT Gandhinagar has carved a niche for itself as one of the prestigious higher education institutions in India, with its inter-disciplinary approach to education, strong emphasis on research and innovation and a vibrant student culture. This year’s Convocation reflected these values, celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2026.
The ceremony ended with the Convocation Oath and the National Anthem.
More Student Quotes are mentioned below:
Akshat Khanna, who has been awarded the Director’s Gold Medal (PhD), said, “It is humbling and an honour to have received the Director’s Gold Medal. Having done my MSc and PhD at IIT Gandhinagar, this recognition feels like a culmination of a journey that has shaped me as a researcher and as a person.” I am very grateful to my advisor, faculty, friends, colleagues and family for their continued support. “Apart from research, IIT Gandhinagar opened avenues for my personal growth and to pursue varied interests that made this journey a memorable one.”
Sayan Bera, who is a recipient of Director’s Gold Medal (MSc and MA), expressed, It is an incredible honour to receive the Director’s Gold Medal and a reflection of the hard work, curiosity and perseverance that have defined my journey at IIT Gandhinagar. Besides my academic performance, I got the opportunity to contribute to research in a publication and a patent, represent IITGN in athletics at the Inter IIT Sports Meet for two consecutive years, and actively participate in various academic and outreach activities. “IITGN has been a journey for me, beyond academics – a journey of growth, inspiring mentorship, meaningful friendships and unforgettable experiences. The Institute has taught me to think for myself, to take on challenges, to pursue science with purpose. I hope to carry these values forward as I move to a PhD and make significant contributions to scientific research. I would like to thank my supervisor, faculty members, friends, teammates, jury members and the whole IIT Gandhinagar community, for their constant support and encouragement.
Commendation for Outstanding Leadership in Student Activities recipient Chandrabhan Patel said, “I am truly honoured to receive this recognition. It is not only something I have done myself but also reflects the work of everyone I have worked with through the Student Council and other student initiatives. One of my most memorable experiences at IIT Gandhinagar was leading the Institute’s contingent at the Inter IIT Tech Meet where we had our best ever performance and won our first Gold Medal. In various leadership roles on campus, I learned that leadership is about helping others succeed, working together and taking responsibility. “As I go forward to pursue higher studies, I hope to build technology that makes a positive impact, while taking forward the values and lessons that I learnt at IITGN.”
Sreejith A Nair, recipient of the Gold Medal for Outstanding Research (PhD), said, I am very honoured to receive the Gold Medal for Outstanding Research. I thank my supervisor, collaborators and research environment at IIT Gandhinagar for supporting me during my PhD journey. My research is on gravitational waves, black holes and tests of gravity in strong field regimes. The most rewarding part has been witnessing complex ideas turn into meaningful outcomes through communication and cooperation. “I plan to continue working in gravitational-wave astronomy and black-hole physics as a postdoc going forward, and to further explore how future observations can help test gravity and understand compact objects better.
Mohammad Rashid Pathan, who received Commendation for Outstanding Performance in Sports, said “Receiving this award is an honor, and it serves as a reminder of the path that has led me here. As a student with a physical disability, every accomplishment I made was accompanied by its own set of difficulties, and this honour simply confirms my conviction that tenacity, diligence, and self-belief are always worthwhile. I will always treasure the memory of playing table tennis for IIT Gandhinagar and winning at the Inter IIT level. “My abilities are greater than my disabilities” has always been my credo. “I want to work in the field of artificial intelligence and contribute to the development of technologies that improve accessibility and create a more inclusive future.”
