**Summary:**
On August 17, 2025, Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan visited IIT Delhi to engage with students, innovators, and researchers, emphasizing the critical role of innovation in achieving "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India). The visit, attended by Secretary of the Department of Higher Education Dr. Vineet Joshi, Director of IIT Delhi Prof. Rangan Bannerjee, and other senior officials, centered on aligning the students' research and aspirations with national priorities, particularly the Prime Minister's vision for a "Samridhh Bharat" (prosperous India) by 2047.
Minister Pradhan encouraged students to develop innovative ideas and solutions to achieve self-reliance across all sectors, assuring them of the government's full support. He expressed confidence in the youth's capabilities to enhance India's technological and economic sovereignty, underscoring the importance of IITs as cornerstones of a self-reliant India. He also announced plans to revisit IIT Delhi to review student-led innovations.
Secretary Dr. Joshi echoed the Prime Minister's message, affirming the Department of Higher Education's commitment to supporting higher education institutions in advancing innovation, strengthening research capacities, and addressing national challenges in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. He expressed confidence in IIT Delhi's continued contribution to developing globally relevant technologies and solutions.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Education: The government ministry responsible for education in India.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan: Union Minister for Education.
IIT Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, a prominent technology institute.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: A vision for a self-reliant India, promoted by the government.
Department of Higher Education: A department within the Ministry of Education responsible for higher education.
Dr. Vineet Joshi: Secretary, Department of Higher Education.
Prof. Rangan Bannerjee: Director, IIT Delhi.
Shri Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India.
Ministry of Education
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan calls upon IIT Delhi
students to drive innovation for Atmanirbhar Bharat
Posted On: 17 AUG 2025 3:16PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, visited the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Delhi today, where he interacted with undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students, as well as innovators
and researchers. Secretary, Department of Higher Education Dr. Vineet Joshi; Director, IIT Delhi, Prof.
Rangan Bannerjee; and senior officials of the Ministry of Education and IIT Delhi were present on the
occasion.
During the interaction, the Minister underlined the importance of self-reliance in line with the vision of the
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address, this year. He stressed that the present
moment offers a unique opportunity to to emphasize on the need for achieving self-reliance, ignite collective
action for driving national priorities and fulfilling the vision of ‘Samridhh Bharat’ by 2047.
The Minister engaged with students to learn more about their dreams, aspirations, areas of research, the
technological challenges they are currently pursuing, and their perspectives on the challenges andopportunities outlined by the Prime Minister. He also shared his views on enhancing capabilities and
expanding the spirit of innovation.
The Minister encouraged the students to bring forward their innovative ideas, work on the challenges and
keep hustling until we achieve self-reliance in every sphere.
He stated that the Government stands shoulder to shoulder with India’s innovators and researchers for shaping
a brighter future for our coming generations and also for establishing India as a global hub of solutions.
Sharing his thoughts on the occasion, the Minister his confidence that the talent, tenacity and resolve of our
youth coupled with the pursuit of self-reliance will pave the way for strengthening Bharat’s capabilities as
well as enhancing her technological and economic sovereignty.
He highlighted the crucial role of IITs as the bedrock of a self-reliant India. Backed by the rock solid support
of PM Shri Narendra Modi, the talented YuvaShakti are going to rewrite the rules of technology, innovation
and entrepreneurship and build a ‘Samridhh and self-reliant Bharat’.The Minister also informed that he would revisit the Institute to review the innovations being developed by
the students.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Dr. Vineet Joshi reiterated the Prime
Minister’s Independence Day message on the role of youth in making the country self-reliant. He underlined
that the Department is extending all possible support to higher education institutions in advancing innovation,
strengthening research capacities and addressing national challenges in line with the vision of Atmanirbhar
Bharat. He expressed confidence that IIT Delhi, through its students and faculty, will continue to play a
leading role in developing technologies and solutions of global relevance.**********
MV/AK
(Release ID: 2157280)