Munish Sood
Mandi
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi hosted its 13th Convocation Ceremony today at the institute’s picturesque North Campus in Kamand Valley, marking another milestone in its journey as a leading hub of technological innovation and interdisciplinary research in the Western Himalayas.
This year, 604 students received degrees — including 71 Ph.D. scholars, 245 postgraduates, and 288 B.Tech graduates. Notably, 26% of the graduating students were women, underscoring IIT Mandi’s growing emphasis on inclusivity and gender balance in STEM education.
Focus on Innovation and National Development
The convocation was graced by Prof. Shekhar C. Mande, Former Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), as the Chief Guest, who urged students to uphold scientific values and use technology for the greater good.
“Science and technology must help society and not be misused in any form. Science without humanity isn’t useful,” Prof. Mande said, calling upon the graduates to lead with empathy and integrity while addressing national and global challenges.
Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, chaired the ceremony and lauded the graduates for their resilience and creativity. “Over the years, IIT Mandi has built a vibrant ecosystem of learning and innovation in the Himalayas. Our graduates are not only engineers and scientists but also problem-solvers who bridge technology and human values,” he said.
Highlighting the institute’s growing stature, Prof. Behera noted IIT Mandi’s remarkable improvement in the NIRF 2025 Rankings, and its commitment to reverse engineering and disaster management research for the development of the Himalayan region.
New Academic Milestones
The 13th Convocation was significant for several firsts. It marked the graduation of the inaugural batches from newly introduced programs such as B.Tech–M.Tech Dual Degree, B.Tech with Second Major, and B.Tech with Specialization.
For the first time, IIT Mandi also awarded degrees in B.Tech with Specialization in Entrepreneurship, reinforcing its focus on interdisciplinary learning and innovation-driven education.
Thirteen students earned B.Tech (Honours) degrees this year — a new benchmark in academic excellence.
Recognising Excellence
The ceremony also honoured outstanding students for their academic and research achievements:
• Riya Arora received the President’s Gold Medal and Institute Silver Medal in B.Tech (Computer Science and Engineering) for her exceptional all-round performance.
• Vaibhav Kesharwani was conferred the Director’s Gold Medal for his leadership and academic excellence.
• Bhavya received the Institute Gold Medal for Postgraduate Programmes, while other Institute Silver Medals went to:
• Eshaan (B.Tech Bio-Engineering)
• Bishwadeep Purkayastha (B.Tech Civil Engineering)
• Raj Singh Bani (B.Tech Data Science and Engineering)
• Lakhan Dharamvir Gupta (B.Tech Electrical Engineering)
• Arush Samadhia (B.Tech Engineering Physics)
• Keshav Verma (B.Tech Mechanical Engineering)
Among postgraduates, medals went to Yashashvi Trivedi (MBA – Data Science and AI), Nikhil Tyagi (M.Tech – VLSI), Praveen Kumar (M.Sc – Applied Mathematics), Vanshika Gupta (M.Sc – Chemistry), and Bhavya (M.Sc – Physics).
Special honours included the Rani Gonsalves Memorial Medal awarded to Aishal Gupta for excellence in academics and extracurricular activities, and the Ms. Kiran Bala Arora Memorial Award presented to Akshat Sharma.
The NBCC (India) Limited Awards were also conferred upon three top-performing B.Tech Civil Engineering students for their exceptional contributions to sustainable infrastructure innovation.
Voices from the Ceremony
Prof. Budaraju Srinivasa Murty, Director, IIT Hyderabad, and Dr. Jagannath Nayak, Director, CHESS-DRDO, graced the occasion as Guests of Honour. Both urged graduates to become job creators rather than job seekers, highlighting the role of young technologists in shaping India’s innovation-led future
The convocation concluded on a high note, celebrating not only academic achievements but also IIT Mandi’s mission to nurture technologists, researchers, and entrepreneurs capable of leading with creativity and compassion.
As faculty, parents, alumni, and dignitaries applauded the graduates, the event reaffirmed IIT Mandi’s growing reputation as a beacon of knowledge and innovation in the Himalayas, preparing leaders who will contribute meaningfully to national development and global sustainability.
