IIT Madras Pravartak Marks Five Years of Driving AI, Deep-Tech Innovation and National Technology Capabilities

CHENNAI, July 4, 2026: IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation has completed five years of advancing India's technology ecosystem, emerging as a leading Technology Innovation Hub working across national security, artificial intelligence, healthcare, digital skilling, rural transformation, heritage preservation and deep-tech entrepreneurship.

Marking the milestone through its 'Pravartak Impact Day' celebrations on July 3, the Foundation showcased how research-driven innovation has translated into measurable societal impact across multiple sectors. Today, the hub comprises nearly 500 researchers, faculty members, professionals and innovators, supported by a 40,000 sq. ft. innovation ecosystem and collaborations spanning government, academia and industry.

Over the past five years, IITM Pravartak has trained more than 24,000 learners, incubated dozens of deep-tech startups and developed indigenous technologies that contribute to India's strategic and technological priorities.

Technology Innovation Supporting National Priorities

One of IITM Pravartak's most significant contributions has been the development of secure communication systems for the Indian Armed Forces, providing trusted and resilient communication capabilities for mission-critical operations.

Developed as part of an indigenous secure communication ecosystem, these technologies have supported the Armed Forces during critical operations, demonstrating the growing role of homegrown technology in strengthening India's strategic capabilities.

Director Highlights Vision for Viksit Bharat

Addressing the anniversary celebrations virtually, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of Indian Institute of Technology Madras, reaffirmed IITM Pravartak's role in promoting translational research and innovation, describing it as a key contributor to India's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Highlighting the Foundation's mission, Dr. M. J. Shankar Raman, CEO, IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, said:

"Technology has meaning only when it creates impact. Over the last five years, our endeavour has been to bring together academia, industry, government and startups to build capabilities that serve the Nation. Whether it is strengthening national security, preparing thousands of learners for the digital economy, applying AI to improve public institutions or nurturing deep-tech innovation, our focus has always been on creating solutions that matter to society."

Human-Centric AI Driving Public Impact

Through its Centre for Human-Centric Artificial Intelligence (CHAI), IITM Pravartak is developing AI systems designed to augment human expertise rather than replace it.

Current initiatives include:

• Sovereign AI language models for national audit institutions
• AI-driven procurement intelligence for government systems
• Workflow intelligence for judicial institutions
• AI-assisted neonatal congenital heart disease screening for rural healthcare
• Defence procurement intelligence
• Prison mental-health support systems
• Heritage restoration using AI
• Immersive technologies for preserving India's civilisational legacy

Deep-Tech Startup Ecosystem Expands

IITM Pravartak has strengthened India's deep-tech startup ecosystem by incubating 58 startups, of which 20 have successfully graduated from the programme.

Among these ventures:

• Five startups have secured Series A or pre-Series A funding.
• Two startups have attracted external investment from private investors.
• Twenty-three startups have successfully commercialised their technologies.

The Foundation noted that commercialisation by nearly 40% of its incubated startups represents a significant achievement in the deep-tech ecosystem, where global startup success rates are often estimated at around 10%.

24,000 Learners Trained Through Digital Skills Academy

Digital skilling remains one of IITM Pravartak's flagship initiatives. Over the past five years, its Digital Skills Academy has trained more than 24,000 learners, including:

• 8,000 students
• 12,000 working professionals
• 2,000 government officials
• 2,000 students from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities through CSR initiatives

The Foundation said over 8,500 learners have achieved career progression through placements, promotions and new employment opportunities, while nearly 3,000 rural teachers have been trained in digital skills to enhance classroom learning.

CSR Initiatives Extend Technology to Rural India

Beyond research laboratories, IITM Pravartak's CSR programmes continue to expand technology access across rural India.

Its initiatives currently include:

• 13 Rural Technology Centres
• 189 Rural Interaction Centres across Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh
• More than 4,000 students benefiting from technology programmes
• College partnerships offering AI, Cybersecurity, Robotics and Entrepreneurship courses

The Foundation's RASA agriculture platform leverages computer vision and natural language processing to assist farmers throughout the crop cycle, while additional projects focus on assistive technologies, indigenous cattle conservation and rural livelihood enhancement.

Global Partnerships Strengthen Workforce Development

IITM Pravartak is also collaborating with global technology leaders, including Samsung and Accenture, to advance innovation and workforce development.

Additionally, under Vertiv's CSR initiative, the Foundation is delivering a nationwide skilling programme aimed at preparing students for careers in data centre operations, addressing India's growing demand for skilled professionals in this rapidly expanding sector.

Five Years of Technology-Led Nation Building

As IITM Pravartak enters its next phase of growth, the Foundation continues to position itself as a key driver of India's technology ambitions by combining research excellence with practical innovation. From secure defence communications and AI-driven public systems to deep-tech entrepreneurship, digital skilling and rural development, the organisation's work reflects a broad commitment to building technology solutions that create lasting national impact.

About IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation

IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation is the Technology Innovation Hub established under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). Hosted at IIT Madras, the Foundation focuses on translational research, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital technologies, deep-tech innovation, entrepreneurship and skill development to support India's technology-driven growth.

(Inputs from Press Release)