PhD Reforms, Students Mental Health Measures Priority; Pradhan Calls for ‘Quantum Jumps’ – IIT Council Meeting

IITs emerging as engines of growth with 6,000 start-ups, 56 unicorns and 5,000 patents, says Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan chaired the 56th meeting of the IIT Council at IIT Delhi, where PhD reforms and student mental well-being took centre stage. Stressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for “quantum jumps,” Pradhan said IITs must become catalysts of innovation, inclusivity and nation-building to achieve the vision of a Samriddh and Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The IIT Council discussed about reforming PhD education to improve quality, global relevance and research outcomes, and to attract top-tier talent. Discussions also covered translational research, commercialisation of innovation, and leveraging alumni for mentorship and industry collaborations.

At the meeting, Pradhan reiterated the Prime Minister’s Independence Day message, stating: “No incremental changes… it’s the time for quantum jumps. Our IITs will lead from the front in shaping a Samriddh Bharat by 2047.”

The Council also discussed rising concerns over student stress and suicides at IITs, and mental health measures were prioritised. The Council discussed sharing best practices across campuses, regular health check-ups, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Members agreed that mental well-being should be integral to campus life, with greater institutional support for students.

Pradhan stressed that IITs must not only produce engineering graduates but also “job creators and nation-builders.” In a post on X, Pradhan wrote: “IITs must aim to become the knowledge backbone of their respective local economies. They should also emphasise on producing not just engineering graduates but job-creators and nation-builders.”

Highlighting IITs’ rising entrepreneurial impact, Pradhan said: “Confident that our IITs will translate national aspirations into outcomes, create large-scale employment and economic opportunities, contribute significantly to fulfil the vision of Samridhh and Viksit Bharat by 2047 and also emerge as engines of India’s civilisational resurgence and global leadership.”

On inclusivity, the Council resolved to expand the use of regional and Indian languages in teaching alongside English, supported by platforms like Bhashini and centres like Shivani. This, Pradhan said, will allow students from diverse linguistic backgrounds to access technical education.

Currently, IITs have produced over 6,000 start-ups, 56 unicorns and nearly 5,000 patents, strengthening their reputation as engines of growth and global innovation. Supported by initiatives like the PM Research Fellowship and Centres of Excellence in AI, the institutes are also driving industry partnerships and deep-tech entrepreneurship. Minister of State for Education Dr. Sukanta Majumdar added that IITs are “not just centres of learning but engines of Innovation, Inclusion and Transformation, driving India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.”

The IIT Council also decided to set up a Task Force to draw up a detailed action plan for higher and school education, adapt curricula for the AI era, and elevate the IIT R&D Fair into a global platform for collaboration and investment.