**Executive Summary**
On 2 May 2026, IIT Bombay held its Commencement 2026 ceremony at the Institute’s Convocation Hall to celebrate approximately 2,500 students expected to graduate this academic year. The event, featuring Chief Guest Dr. Samir V. Kamat, focused on India’s path toward technological self-reliance and the institute's transition toward a learning-centric educational model. This ceremony marks the transition of the graduating class into their professional careers and underscores the institute's focus on frontier technology domains.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Event Overview and Participation**
* The ceremony celebrated a total of 2,500 students, including 1,257 undergraduates, 1,042 postgraduates, and 189 PhD scholars.
* The tradition of 'Commencement' was introduced at IIT Bombay in 2023 to mark the achievement of the graduating class.
* The event was attended by the Board of Governors, faculty members, students, and their families.
**Institutional Strategy and Ranking**
* IIT Bombay maintains its status as the top-ranked university in India and remains a leading institution globally.
* The institute is shifting its educational approach from "teaching-centric" to "learning-centric," emphasizing active student participation and industry connection.
* Academic focus is being concentrated on frontier domains, specifically AI, sustainability, and biomedical technologies.
**Leadership Directives**
* **Technological Sovereignty:** Dr. Samir V. Kamat emphasized that science and technological sovereignty are essential for India to maintain independent decision-making.
* **Lifelong Learning:** Graduates were encouraged to remain flexible, adaptive, and resilient, viewing learning as a continuous process.
* **Leadership Values:** Chairperson Dr. K. Radhakrishnan highlighted "Knowing, Doing and Being," stating that character, conviction, and the ability to adapt to change are vital for true leadership.
**Impact Analysis**
**Graduating Students**
**Impact**
Students are recognized for their academic achievements and are now entering a professional phase where they are expected to lead India’s drive for technological self-reliance.
**Action Required**
Graduates must continuously upgrade their skills, embrace calculated risks, and apply classroom knowledge to solve industry and societal challenges.
**IIT Bombay Faculty and Administration**
**Impact**
The administration is tasked with maintaining the institute's global ranking while transforming the curriculum to be more collaborative and innovation-focused.
**Action Required**
Continue implementing the learning-centric model and focusing resources on critical technology areas like AI and biomedical technologies.
**Government and Defense Sector (DRDO/Ministry of Defence)**
**Impact**
The sector looks toward these graduates as the future workforce capable of ensuring national security through technological independence.
**Action Required**
Maintain the partnership between defense research organizations and academic institutions to foster a pipeline of talent for national R&D goals.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay): The premier educational institution that hosted Commencement 2026 for its graduating batch of 2500 students.
Dr. Samir V. Kamat: Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development and Chairperson of DRDO, who served as the Chief Guest.
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO): The national defense agency represented by the Chief Guest, emphasizing technological sovereignty and self-reliance in the address.
Prof. Shireesh Kedare: Director of IIT Bombay who presented the Institute’s Report for the academic year 2025–26, focusing on frontier technology domains.
Dr. K. Radhakrishnan: Chairperson of the Board of Governors of IIT Bombay who addressed the graduating class on leadership and character.
Ministry of Education
IIT Bombay hosts Commencement 2026 to
celebrate the graduating batch, 2500 students
attend the ceremony
Posted On: 02 MAY 2026 8:17PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 2 May 2026
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) hosted the Commencement 2026
today at the Institute’s Convocation Hall, celebrating achievements of the students who are
expected to graduate in the current academic year. Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department
of Defence Research & Development (DD R&D) and Chairperson, Defence Research &
Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India, graced the
occasion as the Chief Guest and delivered the Commencement Address.Addressing the students, Dr. Kamat said that technological sovereignty was essential for a
nation to retain its ability to take independent decisions. “Learning is a lifelong process. To
succeed in life, you must be flexible, adaptive, willing to collaborate, ready to take calculated
risks, continuously upgrade your skills, and remain resilient through failures. The source of
strength is science and technological sovereignty is essential for a nation to retain its ability to
take independent decisions. It is the responsibility of the younger generation to ensure that
India remains technologically self-reliant,” he said.
Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, presented the Institute’s Report for the academic
year 2025–26, highlighting that IIT Bombay maintains its position as the top-ranked university
in India and among the leading institutions globally. “We are transforming education from
teaching-centric to learning-centric, where students actively participate, collaborate, innovate
and connect classroom knowledge with society and industry. IIT Bombay is a melting pot of
ideas, cultures and talent, where students learn not only academic excellence, but also
collaboration, sensitivity and integrity. We are concentrating on frontier domains such as AI,
sustainability and biomedical technologies so that India can emerge as a global leader in critical
technology areas,” Prof. Kedare said.Talking about the importance of “Knowing, Doing and Being,” the Chairperson of the Board of
Governors of IIT Bombay Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, said, “While knowledge and professional
excellence are vital, character, conviction, courage and the ability to adapt to change will define
true leadership and lasting contributions to society, the nation and humanity. Your hard work
and intrinsic learning skills will pay off and your long odyssey will commence soon.”
IIT Bombay introduced ‘Commencement’ in 2023. Approximately 2500 students, including
around 1257 undergraduates, 1042 postgraduates and 189 PhD scholars, were invited to the
dais to be congratulated by the Director, marking a memorable moment for the graduating
class.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Board of Governors, faculty members,
graduating students and their families.
* * *
PIB Mumbai | Riyas Babu/Darshana Rane
सोशल मडयावर आाला फॉलो करा: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PI
BMumbai /pibmumbai
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