Roorkee, 19 September (H.S.): The two-day annual Convocation 2026 of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee commenced on Saturday. On the first day of the ceremony, Chief Guest and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Kumar Doval called upon students to utilise their technical expertise for the development of the country, national security and social welfare. According to the institute, a total of 2,701 students are being awarded degrees this year.

Addressing the students as the chief guest, NSA Ajit Doval praised IIT Roorkee’s illustrious history and its contributions at the global level. He said graduates of IIT Roorkee had demonstrated their exceptional capabilities and made significant contributions not only in India but also on the global stage. He said the institute’s alumni had brought recognition to the country worldwide and that IIT Roorkee continued to enjoy a strong reputation across the globe.

Doval urged the graduating students not to confine their technical expertise merely to their individual careers, but to apply it towards the development of the country, national security and social welfare. He encouraged the students to move forward in life with a strong sense of ‘Nation First’.

Vice Chief of the Army Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani also addressed the students at the ceremony, highlighting their role in nation-building and extending his best wishes to them as they prepare to meet the challenges of the future.

IIT Roorkee Director Prof. K.K. Pant presented an account of the institute’s recent achievements, research initiatives and international collaborations. He said the institute was continuing to set new benchmarks in innovation and research. He extended his best wishes for a bright future to all 2,701 students receiving their degrees. On the first day, degrees were conferred upon students of undergraduate programmes. The graduating students were visibly delighted as they received their degrees.

On the second day of the two-day ceremony, degrees will be awarded to postgraduate students and PhD scholars. Hero MotoCorp CEO Harshavardhan Chitale will be the chief guest on the occasion.

Cabinet Minister Pradeep Batra, Joint Magistrate Deepak Ram Chandra Shet, IIT Roorkee officials, professors, students and parents were also present on the occasion.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar