IIT Ropar 15th Convocation: 761 Students Graduate, New UG Curriculum from 2026-27

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar held its 15th Convocation on August 6, 2026, celebrating the graduation of 761 students across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes. The institute also announced major academic reforms, including a redesigned undergraduate curriculum that will be implemented from the 2026-27 academic session.

The new curriculum aims to give BTech students greater academic flexibility and more opportunities to pursue internships, research, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary learning during the later part of their programme.

IIT Ropar 15th Convocation: 761 Students Receive Degrees

A total of 761 students received their degrees at the 15th convocation of IIT Ropar. The graduating batch included students from BTech, MTech, MSc, BSc, Diploma and PhD programmes.

The ceremony was attended by Satyanarayan Nuwal, Founder and Chairman of Solar Industries India Limited and a Padma Shri awardee, as the chief guest. IIT Ropar Board of Governors Chairman Adil Zainulbhai presided over the event, while IIT Ropar Director Prof. Rajeev Ahuja presented the Director’s Report.

IIT Ropar Introduces New UG Curriculum From 2026-27

One of the major announcements at the convocation was the launch of a redesigned undergraduate curriculum for the 2026-27 academic session.

Under the new structure, students will complete their core courses by the end of the third year. This will allow students to use the remaining period of their programme for activities beyond conventional classroom learning.

The institute said students will have greater opportunities to choose:

• Elective courses
• Internships
• Research projects
• Startup and entrepreneurship initiatives
• Interdisciplinary learning

The curriculum is designed to provide students with greater flexibility in deciding how they want to use their academic time and prepare for careers, higher studies or entrepreneurship.

BTech Students to Get More Flexibility

The new BTech curriculum represents a shift from a largely fixed academic structure towards a more flexible model. By completing the core academic requirements earlier, students can focus on practical and research-oriented experiences in the later stages of the programme.

The move is expected to benefit students interested in gaining industry experience through internships or developing research and startup projects before graduation.

IIT Ropar has also highlighted hands-on learning, creativity and innovation as important features of its new BTech curriculum. The institute currently offers multiple BTech pathways, including Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computing, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Digital Agriculture, and Electrical Engineering in Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.

New Integrated Dual Degree Programme Announced

Along with the revised undergraduate curriculum, IIT Ropar has introduced an Interdisciplinary Integrated Dual Degree Programme.

The programme is aimed at providing students with an opportunity to combine undergraduate engineering education with postgraduate-level study in emerging areas. The institute has indicated that the initiative will further strengthen interdisciplinary education and allow students to develop specialised expertise.

The new academic structure reflects IIT Ropar’s broader focus on preparing students for changing industry and research requirements.

New PG Diploma in UAV and Drone Technology

IIT Ropar has also launched a one-year postgraduate diploma in UAV Operations and Drone Technology in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University.

The programme comes at a time when drone technology is finding applications across sectors such as agriculture, defence, infrastructure, logistics and surveying. The new course is expected to provide specialised training in an emerging technology area.

IIT Ropar Expands Research and Industry Collaboration

The institute also highlighted its research activities during the convocation. IIT Ropar is currently executing 616 sponsored research projects and around 1,130 industrial consultancy projects.

The institute has strengthened its defence research activities through projects supported by the Army Technology Board and an MoU with the Indian Air Force.

Its AgriTech initiative, ANNAM.AI, has also expanded through activities including the AgriAI Global Summit, an international hackathon organised with Syngenta in France, and the deployment of hyperlocal weather stations across Punjab.

New Infrastructure Projects at IIT Ropar

IIT Ropar is also expanding its campus infrastructure. Construction has started on a 500-seat girls’ hostel and a new lecture hall complex.

The projects are part of the institute’s efforts to strengthen its academic and student facilities as its programmes and research activities continue to expand.

Message to Graduating Students

Addressing the graduating students, chief guest Satyanarayan Nuwal encouraged them to take up challenging opportunities rather than simply choosing comfortable career paths. He highlighted persistence and urged students to develop expertise in difficult and emerging areas.

IIT Ropar Director Prof. Rajeev Ahuja also congratulated the graduating students and emphasised that education goes beyond academic knowledge. He said developing character and values is equally important for students as they move into their professional lives.

IIT Ropar Focuses on Future-Ready Education

The 15th Convocation marks an important stage in IIT Ropar’s academic development. While 761 students graduated from the institute, the announcement of a flexible undergraduate curriculum signals a major change for the next generation of students.

With core courses planned to be completed earlier, greater scope for internships and research, a new integrated dual degree programme and specialised courses in drone technology, IIT Ropar is seeking to make its academic programmes more flexible and aligned with emerging career opportunities.

The institute’s continued focus on research, defence technology, AgriTech, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary education is expected to play an important role in shaping its academic priorities in the coming years.

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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