Rathish
Author – Ritesh Ranjan: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras, one of India’s leading institutions for research, innovation and entrepreneurship, is set to take India’s deep-tech story to the global stage at Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, France. Scheduled to be held from 14 to 16 June 2026, the international technology exhibition will bring together researchers, startups, academic institutions, investors, policymakers and industry leaders from different parts of the world.
Organised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, Bharat Innovates 2026 aims to identify, mentor and showcase promising technology ventures emerging from higher education institutions and Centrally-Funded Technical Institutes. For IIT Madras, the event is not just an exhibition but a strategic opportunity to present India’s next wave of research-led entrepreneurship.
From 6G communication systems and Hyperloop technology to blue economy solutions, lab-grown diamonds and indigenous artificial intelligence, IIT Madras will highlight how Indian academic research is being converted into real-world products, startups and globally relevant technologies.
IIT Madras at Bharat Innovates 2026
IIT Madras will play a major role at Bharat Innovates 2026 by leading two of the 13 thematic areas at the event. The institute will also showcase 15 IIT Madras-incubated startups and five major research projects, covering some of the most important sectors for India’s future technological and economic growth.
These projects represent India’s progress in strategic and emerging technologies. The areas include Hyperloop mobility, lab-grown diamonds, 5G and 6G communication systems, port automation, blue economy solutions and low-compute indigenous AI models.
The participation is also important in the context of the India–France Year of Innovation 2026, which is expected to strengthen partnerships between Indian and French universities, startups, industries and research organisations.
According to IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti, the event will create new possibilities for international collaboration in joint research, standards development, startup partnerships, shared testbeds and talent exchange. This could help Indian innovations gain access to new markets, expert networks and global technology ecosystems.
Next-Generation Communications: From 5G to 6G
One of the major themes led by IIT Madras at Bharat Innovates 2026 is Next-Generation Communications, headed by Prof. Radhakrishna Ganti.
This theme focuses on the future of digital connectivity. While 5G is already transforming mobile networks, smart cities, industrial automation and digital services, 6G is expected to go even further. The transition from 5G to 6G will not be limited to faster internet speeds. It will support ultra-low latency networks, intelligent automation, integrated sensing, distributed AI and advanced digital infrastructure.
These technologies will be critical for sectors such as autonomous mobility, smart manufacturing, healthcare, defence, education, logistics and public infrastructure.
Several IIT Madras-incubated startups will showcase their work in this domain. REIO Systems, Astrome Technologies and WiSig Networks are among the startups expected to present indigenous communication technologies. Their innovations include software-defined radio platforms, wireless backhaul systems and Open RAN-based 5G solutions.
This is significant for India because telecom infrastructure is a strategic sector. Developing indigenous telecom capabilities can reduce dependence on imported systems, support national security and create globally competitive technology companies from India.
Blue Economy Innovations for a Sustainable Future
The second major theme led by IIT Madras is Blue Economy, guided by Prof. K. Murali. This area focuses on innovation in ports, waterways, coastal infrastructure, marine systems and ocean-based sustainability.
India has a long coastline and a large maritime economy. The blue economy includes sectors such as shipping, fisheries, offshore energy, marine biotechnology, underwater infrastructure, port management and sustainable ocean resources. With the right technologies, India can improve maritime safety, reduce environmental impact and unlock new economic opportunities.
At Bharat Innovates 2026, IIT Madras will highlight startups and research projects that can transform this sector.
One important example is Planys Technologies, an IIT Madras-incubated startup working with robotics, autonomous systems and AI-based diagnostics. The company develops solutions for underwater inspection of infrastructure such as bridges, ports, dams, ships and offshore assets. Traditional underwater inspection can be risky, expensive and time-consuming. Robotic inspection systems can make the process safer, faster and more accurate.
Another notable startup is Zerocircle, which is developing seaweed-derived materials as an alternative to synthetic plastics. These materials can support sustainable packaging and reduce plastic pollution, especially in industries looking for eco-friendly materials without completely changing their manufacturing processes.
Together, these innovations show how IIT Madras is using deep-tech research to solve real-world problems linked to sustainability, infrastructure and climate-conscious development.
Hyperloop Technology and the Future of Mobility
IIT Madras will also showcase its major work in Hyperloop technology, one of the most futuristic transportation concepts in the world.
IIT Madras serves as a Centre of Excellence for Hyperloop technology, and its startup TuTr Hyperloop has made significant progress in this area. The team has demonstrated key technologies such as propulsion, electromagnetic levitation and vacuum tube operations at the IIT Madras Discovery Campus.
Hyperloop systems are designed to move pods through low-pressure tubes at very high speeds, potentially transforming long-distance travel and cargo movement. While large-scale commercial deployment still requires extensive testing, regulation and infrastructure development, the research being carried out at IIT Madras places India among the countries actively working on next-generation mobility.
The institute is also exploring how technologies developed for Hyperloop can be applied to other transport systems, including metro rail and cargo transportation. This approach is important because even if Hyperloop takes time to become commercially viable, its underlying technologies can support improvements in existing mobility systems.
Lab-Grown Diamonds and Advanced Authentication
Another key innovation that IIT Madras will present comes from the Indian Centre for Lab Grown Diamonds, also known as InCent LGD.
Lab-grown diamonds are becoming increasingly important in sectors such as jewellery, electronics, quantum technologies and precision manufacturing. They offer an alternative to mined diamonds and can be produced under controlled conditions for specific industrial and scientific applications.
Researchers at IIT Madras have developed laser-based techniques to embed invisible QR codes and markings inside diamonds. These markings can help with authentication, traceability and quality verification. In industries where trust, certification and origin tracking are important, such technologies can reduce fraud and improve transparency.
This innovation also reflects India’s growing interest in developing high-value materials and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Indigenous AI and Low-Compute Language Models
Artificial intelligence will be another major focus area for IIT Madras at Bharat Innovates 2026. The IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation will present its work on a domain-specific, low-compute indigenous AI ecosystem.
This includes Small Language Models, or SLMs, designed to be more affordable, energy-efficient and practical for specific use cases. While large AI models require significant computing power, data and energy, smaller models can be deployed in more cost-effective environments.
This is especially important for India, where AI solutions need to work across different languages, sectors, devices and infrastructure conditions. Low-compute AI can support applications in education, healthcare, agriculture, governance, finance and small businesses.
The focus on indigenous AI also aligns with the global conversation around sovereign AI, where countries are working to build AI systems that reflect their own languages, data needs, regulatory priorities and social contexts.
Why Bharat Innovates 2026 Matters
Bharat Innovates 2026 is important because it brings India’s academic innovation ecosystem to an international audience. Institutions like IIT Madras are no longer limited to publishing research papers or training engineers. They are now creating startups, developing intellectual property, building prototypes and contributing to national missions.
The event will help Indian startups connect with global investors, technology partners and policy leaders. It can also open doors for research collaborations, pilot projects and market expansion.
For IIT Madras, the exhibition is a chance to show that India’s deep-tech ecosystem is ready to compete globally. Whether it is telecom, mobility, ocean technology, AI or advanced materials, the institute’s projects show a strong link between research, entrepreneurship and national development.
Conclusion
IIT Madras’ participation in Bharat Innovates 2026 in France marks an important moment for India’s innovation journey. By showcasing breakthroughs in 6G, Hyperloop, blue economy solutions, lab-grown diamonds and indigenous AI, the institute will present a powerful picture of India’s research-driven future.
The event also highlights the role of academic institutions in shaping global technology. With its startups, research centres and strong innovation ecosystem, IIT Madras is helping India move from technology adoption to technology creation.
As Bharat Innovates 2026 brings together global leaders in science, industry and entrepreneurship, IIT Madras is set to represent India’s ambition to become a major force in deep-tech innovation.
FAQs
1. What is Bharat Innovates 2026?
Bharat Innovates 2026 is an international technology exhibition organised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It will be held in Nice, France, from 14 to 16 June 2026, and will showcase promising technology ventures from Indian higher education institutions and Centrally-Funded Technical Institutes.
2. What will IIT Madras showcase at Bharat Innovates 2026?
IIT Madras will showcase 15 incubated startups and five major research projects. These include innovations in 5G and 6G systems, Hyperloop technology, lab-grown diamonds, blue economy solutions, port automation and indigenous AI.
3. Which themes will IIT Madras lead at the event?
IIT Madras will lead two thematic areas at Bharat Innovates 2026: Next-Generation Communications and Blue Economy. These themes focus on future telecom systems, 6G, maritime technologies, coastal infrastructure and sustainable ocean-based solutions.
4. Why is IIT Madras’ participation important?
IIT Madras’ participation is important because it showcases India’s ability to convert academic research into deep-tech startups and practical technologies. It also creates opportunities for international collaboration, investment and technology partnerships.
5. How is IIT Madras contributing to indigenous AI?
IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation is working on a low-compute indigenous AI ecosystem, including Small Language Models. These models are designed to be affordable, energy-efficient and suitable for domain-specific applications in India.