Gen Upendra Dwivedi Inaugurates ‘AGNISHODH’ at IIT Madras to Advance Defence Innovation and Atmanirbharta
‘AGNISHODH’ is a key part of Indian Army’s Five Pillars of Transformation, particularly supporting pillar of Modernisation and Technology Infusion. New research cell aims to strengthen synergy between academic institutions and military by translating cutting-edge research into real-time battlefield applications.
The Indian Army and IIT Madras have launched ‘AGNISHODH’, a dedicated Indian Army Research Cell (IARC) at the IIT Madras campus for defence self-reliance, t. The facility was inaugurated by General Upendra Dwivedi, (CAOS), during his two-day visit to Chennai.
‘AGNISHODH’ is a key part of the Indian Army’s Five Pillars of Transformation, particularly supporting the pillar of Modernisation and Technology Infusion. The new research cell aims to strengthen synergy between academic institutions and the military by translating cutting-edge research into real-time battlefield applications.
Speaking on the occasion, General Dwivedi highlighted the importance of building strategic tech partnerships with India’s top research institutions. He commended IIT Madras for its pioneering role in defence R&D, noting that projects like Project SAMBHAV and additive manufacturing tie-ups with Army Base Workshops are already setting new benchmarks in military innovation.
“Operation Sindoor” and the Future of Warfare
He said the operation SINDOOR was executed across the DIME spectrum (Diplomatic, Information, Military, Economic) and marked by intelligence-driven, multi-domain precision.
Commonly asked questions
It is worth pursuing MBA from IIT Madras. During the MBA placement drive 2025, the highest and median package recorded was 35.5 LPA and 18 LPA. In MBA Tech, highest package offered in 2025 was 81 LPA.
The BSc programme offered at IIT Madras has received good reviews from alumni and students in terms of placements, infrastructure and quality of teaching. According to the verified Shiksha Reviews, students have left the following IIT Madras BSc reviews:
- The exact placement percentage after the fourth year wasn't described, but on average, students received a package of INR 12- INR 15 LPA, with the highest package being INR 80 LPA
- One fest is conducted every year, called Paradox, where all kinds of sports and other events are hosted, in which we participate. The crowd in general is very smart
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Identified as an 'Institute of Eminence', the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras or IITM) was established in 1959 as a public technical and research university. It is the third IIT to be set up by the Government of India and is autonomous in nature. The institute recently launched the country's first online BSc Programme in Programming in Data Science. IITM is also known for its Quality Improvement Programme (QIP), which is sponsored by the AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education).
General Dwivedi stressed the Indian Army’s readiness for fifth-generation warfare involving non-contact combat, high strategic tempo, and psychological superiority. Underlining the motto “Swadeshikaran Se Sashaktikaran”, he detailed collaborations under national tech missions such as INDIAai, Chip-to-Startup, and Project QuILA, with MCTE Mhow playing a key role.
IIT Madras to Drive Deep Tech Integration
‘AGNISHODH’ will expand operations into the IIT Madras Research Park, engaging with platforms like the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Centre (AMTDC) and the Pravartak Technologies Foundation. This collaboration will serve as a pipeline for lab-to-field translation of defence innovations.
The research cell will also play a critical role in upskilling Indian Army personnel in frontier technologies which includes:
Additive Manufacturing
Cybersecurity
Quantum Computing
Wireless Communication
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
General Dwivedi acknowledged the successful impact of existing Army research cells at IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, and IISc Bengaluru, and praised IIT Madras for joining this growing network. He emphasized that initiatives like AGNISHODH will not only support R&D but also help build a tech-empowered, future-ready human resource base within the Armed Forces.
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Abhay Anand is an experienced education journalist with over 15 years in print and digital media. Currently serving as Manager- Editorial at Shiksha.com, he specializes in higher education policy, student mobility,
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