Kanpur – Techkriti’25, the annual technical and entrepreneurial festival of IIT Kanpur, successfully brought together leaders from the defence and space sectors for thought-provoking discussions. The event featured the Rakshakriti Keynote, delivered by Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and Maj. Gen. C.S. Mann from the Army Design Bureau, where they discussed strategic defence advancements.
Later in the day, the Space Conclave presented insights from Dr. A.S. Kiran Kumar, former ISRO Chairman, and Dr. Vinod Kumar from the Promotion Directorate, IN-SPACe, highlighting India’s expanding presence in space exploration.
During his address, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh remarked, “My compliments to IIT Kanpur for organizing this event. Rapid capability enhancement of the armed forces was essential in addressing emerging security challenges in light of the evolving geo-strategic landscape. Our goal was to establish ourselves as an aerospace power by 2047, and industry-academia collaboration would be key to achieving this.”
On the first day of the event, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan had stated, “The future battlefield would be dominated by technology-driven decision-making, autonomous weapons, and real-time intelligence processing. We had to integrate these advancements into our defence framework to maintain strategic superiority.”
Techkriti’s Growing Focus on Defence Innovation
Commending the efforts of the Techkriti team, Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, said, “Techkriti had always been a reflection of IIT Kanpur’s commitment to innovation and evolving with the needs of the time. This year, with the introduction of Rakshakriti, we expanded our focus to a critical area—defence capacity building. At a time when technological advancements were reshaping national security, this initiative provided a platform for thought leaders, industry experts, and students to engage in meaningful dialogue. It also offered IIT Kanpur an opportunity to showcase its contributions to defence technology and research. Congratulations to the students for curating this event.”
A Dynamic Festival of Competitions and Showcases
Throughout the festival, participants engaged in a series of competitions, including Astro Quiz, CodeNCompete, Strategy Sprint, and Model UN, testing their knowledge and strategic thinking. The evenings concluded with electrifying performances at Pronite, featuring Seedhe Maut & Carnivore, followed by Robowars Night, which showcased intense robotic engineering and combat skills.
Techkriti commenced on March 27 with the traditional lighting of the lamp, symbolizing knowledge, progress, and innovation. The inaugural ceremony welcomed esteemed dignitaries, including General Anil Chauhan, Prof. Manindra Agrawal (Director, IIT Kanpur), and Prof. Amitabha Bandyopadhyay (Chairman, Festival Advisory Committee, Techkriti’25). The opening ceremony was followed by a cultural performance, adding artistic grandeur to the occasion.
As part of the inaugural day’s proceedings, General Anil Chauhan visited the Techkriti Expo, where cutting-edge defence and technological innovations were displayed. The expo provided a platform for showcasing pioneering advancements, offering attendees a glimpse into the future of national security and warfare.
A key highlight of the first day was an exclusive visit to the IIT Kanpur Airstrip, where a live demonstration showcased India’s defence technology capabilities. This segment provided a firsthand experience of the precision, power, and innovation defining India’s modern armed forces.
Day Three and the Grand Finale
On the third day, March 29, the festival featured a NIMES Performance, followed by a FinTech Panel. Attendees also participated in competitions such as the Techkriti Grand Prix, Pitch Premier, and Speed Quant, leading to an exciting Pronite and the Robowars Grand Finale.
In addition, Techkriti’25 presented Exhibitions & Auto Shows showcasing groundbreaking technological and automotive innovations, Workshops & Masterclasses on AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, and robotics, a Startup Showcase, and an E-Sports Arena featuring high-stakes gaming tournaments.
About Techkriti
Techkriti is Asia’s largest annual Technical and Entrepreneurial festival, organized by IIT Kanpur, with its influence reaching across the country and internationally. The festival instilled a spirit of exuberance and creativity in students, encouraging them to develop their technological aptitude. It played a significant role in fostering the growth of young entrepreneurs, a vital indicator of nation-building. Recognized as a precursor to innovative ideas, Techkriti gained worldwide recognition as a technical and entrepreneurial symposium advancing cutting-edge technologies and their applications.
About IIT Kanpur
The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), established in 1959, holds the distinction of being recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. Renowned for its excellence in science and engineering education, IIT Kanpur made significant contributions to research and development over the decades. Its expansive, lush green campus, spanning 1,050 acres, housed a vast array of academic and research resources.
The institute comprises 19 departments, 26 centers, three interdisciplinary programs, and two specialized schools across engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines. With over 590 full-time faculty members and more than 9,500 students, IIT Kanpur continues to be a leader in fostering innovation and academic rigor.
