On its 75th Foundation Day, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur launched the Manekshaw Centre of Excellence for National Security Studies and Research, a bold step toward fortifying India’s indigenous defence innovation and national security capabilities. The centre, inaugurated by Lt Gen (Dr.) Subrata Saha, Executive Chairman, and IIT Kharagpur Director Professor Suman Chakraborty, aims to bridge the gap between academia, industry, and the armed forces, fostering a collaborative ecosystem for cutting-edge defence research.
The Manekshaw Centre will serve as a central hub for defence innovation, working closely with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), startups, and industry partners to accelerate the development of deployable defence technologies. Lt Gen Saha, who conceived the project alongside IIT Kharagpur alumnus Prof Sukumar Nandi, emphasised the importance of this partnership: “The collaboration between academia, industry, and the armed forces will ensure that we can win Indian wars with Indian solutions.”
The centre brings together India’s premier academic institutions, including IITs, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and National Institutes of Technology (NITs), to advance research and innovation in defence technology. Lt Gen Saha highlighted the urgency of this initiative, stating, “Emerging technologies like AI, cyber, autonomous systems, and space technologies are altering the character of warfare. Developing future technologies at the pace of this change requires a collaborative national effort—bringing energy and expertise in imagination, innovation, technology, and manufacturing.”
Beyond research, the Manekshaw Centre will design specialised courses in next-generation warfare and emerging technologies, as well as host “Dialogue Series” to bridge the gap between futuristic advancements and the evolving nature of warfare. This initiative has received strong backing from the leadership of IIT and IISc, with the Union Education Ministry providing critical support. It aligns closely with the Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, fostering self-reliance in defence and security.
Professor Chakraborty underscored IIT Kharagpur’s leadership role in spearheading research on healthcare technologies, hardware security, advanced batteries, AI in defence, and entrepreneurship development. “The inauguration of the Manekshaw Centre marks a transformative step toward building a self-reliant ecosystem for defence and national security research in India,” he said. “Through this centre, we reaffirm our commitment to realising the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by empowering Indian solutions for Indian challenges.”
With the Manekshaw Centre as a cornerstone, IIT Kharagpur is poised to become a critical node in India’s defence preparedness, driving innovation and collaboration to meet the nation’s security needs. This initiative not only strengthens India’s defence capabilities but also positions the country as a leader in global defence technology innovation.