Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat to Deliver Convocation Address; 19 PhD Scholars Among Graduating Students
Raipur, October 22: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai will organise its sixth convocation on Saturday, October 24, at Nalanda Hall on its campus. A total of 313 students from the 2026 graduating batch will be awarded degrees during the ceremony.
Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat will attend as the chief guest and deliver the convocation address. He is a former member of NITI Aayog, former secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development, former director general of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and former scientific adviser to the defence minister. Prof Virendra Kumar Vijay, chairman of the Board of Governors of IIT Bhilai, will preside over the ceremony.
313 Students to Receive Degrees
The graduating batch comprises 19 PhD scholars, 37 MSc students, 79 MTech students, eight BTech (Honours) students and 170 BTech graduates. All 313 students will receive their degrees at the convocation.
Gold Medals for Academic Excellence
The institute gold medal will be awarded to the BTech student with the highest cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in the graduating batch.
Director’s Gold Medals will be presented to BTech and MTech students for their overall excellence in academics and extracurricular activities. The Director’s Gold Medal for Outstanding Female Student will be awarded to the best-performing female student across the BTech, BTech (Honours) and MSc programmes.
The institute will also present Senate Awards to students securing the highest CGPA in their respective branches and programmes.
Digital Degree Certificates to Promote Sustainability
In line with the Centre’s Digital India initiative, IIT Bhilai will issue digital degree certificates to graduating students to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
The digitally signed degree certificates will be provided on pen drives during the convocation. The institute describes the initiative as a pioneering effort in India’s academic sector.
IIT Bhilai Established in 2016
Established on August 7, 2016, IIT Bhilai was inaugurated by the then Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar and the then Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the institute on June 14, 2018, and dedicated its state-of-the-art campus to the nation on February 20, 2024.
The institute has continued to expand its infrastructure. The foundation stone for Phase B of campus construction was laid virtually by the Prime Minister on September 27, 2025.
IT Park to Strengthen Chhattisgarh’s Technology Ecosystem
In a major initiative to strengthen the state’s technology ecosystem, IIT Bhilai developed an IT Park in collaboration with the Chhattisgarh government and Durg Municipal Corporation. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurated the facility on May 31, 2026.
The project is envisioned as a hub for technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and research. It is also expected to strengthen the state’s technology ecosystem and create new employment opportunities in Chhattisgarh.
