Pradhan at IIT Delhi: “This is the time to shape history” — Minister Calls on Students to Power Atmanirbhar Bharat
The interaction ended with Pradhan urging students to think beyond placements and immediate careers.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi to see themselves as the architects of India’s self-reliance journey, saying the country stands at a turning point in history.
Addressing undergraduates, postgraduates and doctoral researchers during his visit to the institute, Pradhan struck an emotional note. “समय को भी मोड़ देने का, यही समय है, सही समय है” — “This is the time to turn the tide; the right time is now,” he said urging students to direct their innovations towards national priorities.
'Students as the Core of Atmanirbhar Bharat'
The minister said the government viewed the youth as the backbone of Atmanirbhar Bharat, and emphasised that institutions like IIT Delhi must become “launchpads of innovation, entrepreneurship and societal transformation.”
“This is a moment when Indian science and technology has to lead the world,” Pradhan said, pointing to advances in digital payments, vaccines and space exploration. “The next wave — in semiconductors, AI, and clean energy — must be led from your labs.”
Government Promises Backing
Commonly asked questions
IIT Delhi admission is entrance-based for all the programmes (Except for PG Diploma). For the diploma course, selection is done merit-basis. Candidates who have passed Class 12 can apply for the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi undergraduate courses. More details around the admission process of some of the courses are provided below:
- Candidates, who have passed Class 12 from a recognised board with an aggregate of 75% or above, can appear for JEE Main, followed by JEE Advanced and JoSAA Counselling to seek BTech admission at IIT Delhi.
- Admission to MTech course is based on merit in GATE exam followed by GOAP counselling.
- For MSc, aspirants need to apply with a valid score of IIT JAM and selected candidates have to further go through CCMN counselling.
JEE Advanced Cutoff 2025 for BTech course ranged from 126 to 5733 for students in the General AI category, so therefore a student should attain a rank of 5733 or preferably lower to increase their chances of admission to IIT Delhi. Please note that BTech cutoff 2025 will vary according to different rounds, courses, specialisations and categories. Students can refer to the table provided below to view the IIIT Delhi JEE Advanced cutoff 2025 for the last round in the General category.
| Course | JEE Advanced Last Round Cutoff 2025 |
|---|---|
| B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering | 126 |
| Integrated B.Tech. + M.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering | 186 |
| B.Tech. in Mathematics and Computing Engineering | 323 |
| Integrated B.Tech. + M.Tech. in Mathematics and Computing | 355 |
| B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering | 605 |
| B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering (Power and Automation) | 823 |
| B.Tech. in Engineering and Computational Mechanics | 1103 |
| B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering | 1862 |
| B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering | 2548 |
| B.Tech. in Engineering Physics | 2565 |
| B.Tech. in Energy Science and Engineering | 2668 |
| B.Tech. in Production and Industrial Engineering | 3223 |
| Integrated B.Tech. + M.Tech. in Chemical Engineering | 3454 |
| B.Tech. in Materials Engineering | 3736 |
| B.Tech. in Civil Engineering | 4302 |
| B.Tech. in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology | 4999 |
| B.Tech. in Textile Technology | 5733 |
No, students are not eligible for BTech at IIT Delhi with 70% in Class 12. Though 70% is a good score but the percentage is not enough. The eligibility for BTech at IIT Delhi is 75% in Class 12 with relevant subjects from a recognised board. Students must fulfil the eligibility to get admisison.
Pradhan was accompanied by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi and IIT Delhi Director Prof. Rangan Banerjee. Both underlined the government’s push to strengthen the research ecosystem across campuses. Joshi said the ministry was committed to cutting red tape and investing in facilities so that students could innovate “without fear or hesitation.”
The minister assured students that the government would continue to support IITs with resources and reforms, but urged them to match that support with perseverance. “Atmanirbharta is not just a policy,” he said. “It is a mindset. The country’s future will be written by your courage to take risks and your ability to persist.”
A Generational Call to Action
The interaction ended with Pradhan urging students to think beyond placements and immediate careers. “By 2047, when India celebrates 100 years of independence, it is your generation that will lead a Samridhh Bharat,” he said, calling the present moment an “unrepeatable opportunity” to shape the nation’s trajectory.
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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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