Defence Ministry Connects Academia for Enhanced Defence Production
On January 27, 2026, Secretary of Defence Production, Shri Sanjeev Kumar, hosted a virtual meeting with prominent leaders from top academic institutions, including IITs, NITs, and IISc. The gathering, held in New Delhi, aimed to align academic research efforts directly with the requirements of defence production, emphasizing the creation of structured mechanisms for ongoing collaboration.
The discussions revolved around several key initiatives. Participants explored ways to promote long-term, student-led research in academic settings, as well as strategies to strengthen relationships between academic institutions and Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). The goal is to move beyond temporary, project-based partnerships and develop more robust, institutional frameworks that can guide research towards emerging technologies. This focused approach is intended to aid in the effective translation of academic innovations into practical defence capabilities.
Expressing appreciation for the valuable contributions from participants, Secretary Kumar noted that such engagements would provide the Ministry with crucial insights into the potential of academic research. He urged the academic community to adopt a consultative approach with the Department of Defence Production, emphasizing the importance of sustained collaboration for the development of national capabilities.
Among those present in the interaction were esteemed directors from leading institutions, such as IIT Madras’s Prof. V. Kamakoti, IIT Kanpur’s Prof. M. Agrawal, and IIT Bombay’s Prof. S. Kedare, alongside several other senior academics from 24 of the nation’s premier universities.
This interaction underscores the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to harnessing the strengths of leading academic institutions to foster a robust, self-reliant, and future-ready defence technology landscape in collaboration with industry partners. By reinforcing academia-industry ties, the Ministry aims to build a comprehensive defence ecosystem capable of addressing the challenges of modern warfare.
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