From Campus to Country: IIT Kanpur Graduates Take the Leap

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur hosted its 58th Convocation Ceremony, awarding degrees to 2,848 students across a spectrum of disciplines. The event was graced by Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and an IIT Kanpur alumnus, as the Chief Guest. Dr. Mahesh Gupta, Chairman of the Board of Governors, and Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, presided over the ceremony.

The convocation was held in two sessions, beginning at the Main Auditorium where top-performing students were presented with medals and degrees. The second session, held across various lecture halls, ensured each graduate received recognition in an intimate setting with departmental faculty.

Addressing the gathering, Malhotra, a BTech 1989 graduate in Computer Science, expressed nostalgia on returning to his alma mater. “This isn’t an end, but the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning,” he said, emphasizing values of adaptability, integrity, and hard work.

Prof. Agrawal urged the graduates to embrace the evolving technological landscape and contribute meaningfully to society. Dr. Gupta echoed similar sentiments, encouraging ethical leadership and continuous learning.

This year’s graduating cohort included 874 BTechs, 269 PhDs, and several joint and interdisciplinary degrees including 361 eMasters graduates. Notably, one student completed five academic minors, showcasing the institute’s academic flexibility.

Among the top honours:

·         President’s Gold Medal: Talin Gupta (Computer Science & Engineering)

·         Director’s Gold Medal (4-year UG): Dhruv Misra (Electrical Engineering)

·         Director’s Gold Medal (5-year UG): Kalash Talati (Physics)

·         Ratan Swarup Memorial Prize: Varun Tokas (Computer Science & Engineering)

·         Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Medal: Abhishek Kumar Yadav (Chemistry)

Additionally, 21 students were awarded the Outstanding PhD Thesis Award across various disciplines.

Students donned traditional cream and white attire, upholding the institute’s ceremonial legacy. The convocation stood as a testament to IIT Kanpur’s excellence, producing not only scholars but future leaders committed to shaping India’s future.