IIT Ropar Recognized as a Centre of Excellence in AI & Advanced Research by Ministry of Education

The Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar) has been spotlighted by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, as a leading Centre of Excellence in Advanced Research, Artificial Intelligence Innovation, and Student Entrepreneurship. This recognition reaffirms IIT Ropar’s growing reputation as one of India’s most dynamic and forward-looking IITs — a place where ideas meet impact and innovation drives inclusion.

Faculty Excellence at the Forefront of Discovery
IIT Ropar’s vibrant research culture is powered by its outstanding faculty, whose achievements continue to bring global recognition to the institute: 
• Dr. Shweta Jain, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering — awarded the Google Research Award 2024 with a USD 20,000 unrestricted grant. 
• Dr. Anupam Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry — honoured with the IPS Young Scientist Award 2025. 
• Dr. Soumyajit Das, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry — recipient of the Thieme Chemistry Journals Award 2025. 
• Dr. Durba Pal, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering — recognized under “Women in Immunology” by the Indian Immunological Society on the International Day for Women and Girls in Science.

Driving Agri-Tech and AI Innovation for Bharat
Through the Technology and Innovation Foundation – iHub AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub), IIT Ropar is addressing national priorities in Agriculture & Allied Sectors, Human Skilling, Technology Development, and Startup Growth.
Strengthening its Agri-Tech leadership further, IIT Ropar has been designated as the Centre of Excellence in AI for Agriculture (Annam AI) under the Ministry of Education’s ₹300 Crore national initiative. This project integrates Artificial Intelligence to enhance agricultural productivity, sustainability, and resilience — empowering farmers and transforming rural innovation ecosystems.
"This recognition as a Centre of Excellence reflects IIT Ropar’s commitment to advancing technologies that directly serve our Nation’s priorities. Through initiatives such as the the newly established Annam AI — the Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture and iHub AWaDH— we are creating scalable, AI-driven solutions to empower farmers, optimize resource use and strengthen India’s agri-tech ecosystem. These programs embody IIT Ropar’s vision of research with impact — where innovation meets inclusion and technology transforms lives." Dr. Pushpendra Pal Singh, Dean (Corporate, Alumni, Placement and Strategies) and Project Director, iHub AWaDH.

Fueling Student Entrepreneurship and Startup Growth
Innovation thrives at IIT Ropar not only in research labs but also in entrepreneurial ventures. Through the Technology Business Incubator Foundation (TBIF), the institute hosted its first E-Summit, showcasing the creativity and drive of young innovators. A standout success story emerged from a TBIFincubated startup — an AI-based recruitment platform founded by B.Tech students Deepanshu Sharma and Kartik Yadav — which recently secured ₹3.5 Crore in funding. Their journey reflects IIT Ropar’s supportive ecosystem for students translating ideas into impactful enterprises.

A Destination for Future Researchers
With world-class infrastructure, globally recognized faculty, and an interdisciplinary research culture, IIT Ropar is fast becoming a preferred destination for PhD scholars and researchers seeking to explore frontier areas in AI, Clean Energy, Advanced Materials, Biomedical Sciences, and Agricultural Technologies. The institute’s academic environment encourages collaborative innovation, industry partnerships, and societal impact — offering scholars the perfect platform to transform research into real-world solutions.