NIT Rourkela 23rd Convocation: 1,948 Degrees Awarded; Women Form 25% of Graduates

National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela held its 23rd Convocation ceremony on September 6, 2025, at the NIT Rourkela campus, awarding a total of 1,948 degrees to its undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral graduates. The ceremony also honored academic excellence through various medals and awards. This significant event marked the culmination of academic pursuits for thousands of students.

The convocation highlighted a notable representation of women, with 471 female students graduating, constituting approximately 25% of the total graduating class. This figure reflects a growing trend in female participation in technical education at the institute, building on previous years where women comprised over 22% and 20% of graduates in the 22nd and 20th convocations, respectively.

NIT Rourkela 23rd Convocation 2025: Degree Distribution

At the 23rd Convocation, a detailed range of degrees was conferred across various disciplines. A total of 1,044 students received Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degrees, while 19 students graduated with Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) degrees. The institute also awarded 44 dual BTech-MTech degrees and 65 integrated MSc degrees, reflecting its diverse academic offerings.

Postgraduate and doctoral programs also saw a good chunk of graduates. 170 students were awarded MSc degrees, 25 received MA degrees, and 66 graduated with an MBA. The largest postgraduate cohort was in MTech, with 422 students completing their programs. In addition, 93 students successfully earned their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, contributing to advanced research and innovation.

NIT Rourkela: International Graduates and Awards

NIT Rourkela’s commitment to fostering a global academic community was evident with 81 international students completing their programs at the 23rd Convocation. These students represented diverse nationalities, including one each from Afghanistan, South Africa, and Sudan; 20 from Bangladesh; three from Bhutan; 32 from Nepal; and four from the United States. Also, 19 Non-Resident Indian (NRI) students also graduated, adding to the institute’s international footprint.

The ceremony recognized outstanding academic achievements through various accolades. Nine Institute Gold Medals, seven Endowment Gold Medals, and nine Endowment Awards were presented to deserving students. In addition, four distinguished alumnus awards were conferred, celebrating the significant contributions of NIT Rourkela alumni in their respective fields.

NIT Rourkela: Leadership Perspectives and Future Outlook

During the convocation, S. N. Subrahmanyan, Chairman and CEO of Larsen & Toubro, highlighted NIT Rourkela’s impressive standing, stating, “The most pertinent fact is that the institute has been ranked 13th on the NIRF 2025 List. Thanks to Prof. Rao and his entire team. In this competitive world, competing with top institutes, both public and private, including IITs and to be ranked 13th is not just easy.” He also praised the high placement rate, noting, “I heard from Prof. Rao that 90% of you have been placed. It is fantastic and creditworthy. This shows that the economy is doing well, plenty of jobs are available, and companies are growing.”

Smt. Soma Mondal, Chairperson of the Board of Governors of National Institute of Technology (Rourkela) Society, emphasized the institute’s journey, stating, “The institute has completed its glorious journey of 60 years. We are continually moving forward with our vision to become an internationally-acclaimed institution of higher learning that will serve as a source of knowledge and expertise for society and be a preferred destination for undergraduate and graduate studies.” Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director of NIT Rourkela, reiterated the institute’s commitment to global education, mentioning, “NIT Rourkela continues to nurture global citizens through future-ready programs like B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence, and by strengthening international academic communities.”

NIT Rourkela: Convocation History and Trends

The 23rd Convocation was notably advanced to September 2025 for the 2024-2025 academic year. This follows the 22nd Convocation, which was held on June 20, 2024, where 2,065 degrees were awarded. At the 22nd Convocation, 457 women graduated, making up over 22% of the total class, and 93 international students also received their degrees. The 20th Convocation, held on February 4, 2023, saw 1,717 students awarded degrees, with 351 female students comprising more than 20% of the graduating cohort. These figures demonstrate a consistent growth in both the total number of graduates and the representation of female students at NIT Rourkela over recent years.

Written by Simran

Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.

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