Rathish
Author – Ritesh Ranjan: IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation has completed five years of impactful work in research, innovation, technology development and social transformation. In a short span, the foundation has emerged as one of India’s most important technology innovation hubs, helping bridge the gap between advanced research and practical solutions.
Launched with the vision of converting academic excellence into real-world applications, IITM Pravartak has built a strong innovation ecosystem that brings together nearly 500 researchers, faculty members, professionals and innovators. Spread across a 40,000 sq. ft. ecosystem, the foundation has become a platform where science, technology, entrepreneurship and public purpose come together.
The five-year milestone was celebrated through Pravartak Impact Day on 3 July 2026. The event highlighted the foundation’s achievements across national security, artificial intelligence, digital education, healthcare, agriculture, cultural preservation, rural development and deep-tech entrepreneurship. More importantly, it showed how research-led innovation can directly support India’s long-term development goals, including the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
A Technology Hub Built for Nation-Building
At the centre of IITM Pravartak’s work is a clear idea: technology becomes meaningful only when it serves people and society. The foundation has focused on translational research, which means taking ideas from laboratories and turning them into deployable solutions.
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, has emphasized the role of IITM Pravartak in advancing innovation and translational research. The foundation’s work supports India’s larger goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, where technology plays a key role in governance, education, healthcare, security and economic growth.
According to Dr. M. J. Shankar Raman, CEO of IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, the mission has been to bring academia, industry, government and startups together. This collaborative model has helped the foundation go beyond research publications and create solutions that can be used in real-world environments.
Innovation for National Security and Governance
One of the major areas where IITM Pravartak has made an impact is national security. The foundation has contributed to the development of secure communication systems for the Indian Armed Forces. These indigenous technologies are designed for mission-critical environments where secure, trusted and resilient communication is essential.
This work is especially important at a time when India is strengthening its focus on self-reliance in strategic technologies. By developing secure systems within the country, IITM Pravartak is contributing to India’s technological independence and defence preparedness.
The foundation has also made strong progress in the field of artificial intelligence through its Centre for Human-Centric Artificial Intelligence, known as CHAI. Unlike AI systems that are built only for automation, CHAI focuses on AI that supports human decision-making and strengthens institutions.
Its current projects include sovereign AI language models for audit institutions, procurement intelligence tools for government systems, workflow solutions for judicial institutions and AI-assisted neonatal screening for rural healthcare. These initiatives show how artificial intelligence can improve governance, healthcare access and institutional efficiency while keeping people at the centre.
Supporting India’s Deep-Tech Startup Ecosystem
IITM Pravartak has also become a powerful enabler of deep-tech startups in India. Deep-tech ventures often require strong research support, long development cycles and specialized mentoring. The foundation has helped create an environment where such startups can grow with access to academic knowledge, technology infrastructure and industry networks.
So far, IITM Pravartak has incubated 58 startups, out of which 20 have graduated from the program. Among these, 5 startups have secured Series A or pre-Series A funding, while 2 more have attracted private investment.
A particularly important achievement is that 23 incubated startups have commercialized their technologies. This is a strong indicator of the foundation’s ability to help innovators move from ideas and prototypes to market-ready products. In the deep-tech sector, commercialization is often one of the toughest stages, and IITM Pravartak’s success in this area reflects the strength of its incubation model.
Skilling Learners for the Future Economy
Another major pillar of IITM Pravartak’s work is digital education and workforce development. Through its Digital Skills Academy, the foundation has trained more than 24,000 learners over the past five years.
These learners include students, working professionals, government officials and individuals from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. By reaching beyond major urban centres, IITM Pravartak is helping make technology education more inclusive and accessible.
More than 8,500 learners have already experienced career growth through new jobs, promotions or better professional opportunities. This shows that the foundation’s skilling programs are not only educational but also employment-focused.
In addition, nearly 3,000 rural teachers have been trained in digital skills. This is an important contribution because digitally trained teachers can influence thousands of students over time. By strengthening teacher capacity, IITM Pravartak is helping classrooms become more future-ready.
Technology Impact Beyond the Lab
IITM Pravartak’s impact extends well beyond laboratories, classrooms and startup spaces. The foundation’s CSR initiatives include 13 Rural Technology Centres and 189 Rural Interaction Centres across Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
These centres support work in AI, cybersecurity, robotics, entrepreneurship, rural livelihoods, assistive technologies and indigenous cattle conservation. By taking technology to rural communities, the foundation is helping ensure that innovation benefits people outside traditional urban technology hubs.
The foundation is also supporting agriculture through the RASA platform, which uses computer vision and natural language processing to assist farmers from seed to harvest. Such tools can help farmers access timely information, improve decision-making and strengthen agricultural productivity.
IITM Pravartak has also collaborated with global partners such as Samsung, Accenture and Vertiv for skilling and innovation programs. One such initiative focuses on preparing learners for careers in data centre operations, a sector expected to grow rapidly as India’s digital economy expands.
A Strong Model for Viksit Bharat 2047
In just five years, IITM Pravartak has shown how research, when connected with real needs, can create measurable social and economic impact. Its work across national security, AI, healthcare, rural development, education and startups reflects a broad but focused approach to innovation.
The foundation’s journey also shows the importance of collaboration. By bringing together government agencies, industry leaders, academic experts, researchers and entrepreneurs, IITM Pravartak has created a model that can support India’s long-term development.
As India moves toward the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, institutions like IITM Pravartak will play a crucial role. They are not only developing technologies but also building talent, supporting startups, strengthening public systems and improving lives.
IITM Pravartak’s five-year journey is a strong example of how technology can move from research papers to real-world progress. Its impact proves that innovation is most powerful when it is inclusive, practical and aligned with national priorities.
FAQs
1. What is IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation?
IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation is a technology innovation hub supported by IIT Madras. It focuses on translating advanced research into practical solutions across areas such as AI, national security, education, healthcare, agriculture and deep-tech startups.
2. When did IITM Pravartak celebrate its five-year milestone?
IITM Pravartak celebrated its five-year milestone through Pravartak Impact Day on 3 July 2026.
3. How many startups has IITM Pravartak incubated?
IITM Pravartak has incubated 58 startups, out of which 20 have graduated. A total of 23 incubated startups have commercialized their technologies.
4. What is the role of IITM Pravartak in digital skilling?
Through its Digital Skills Academy, IITM Pravartak has trained more than 24,000 learners, including students, professionals, government officials and learners from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
5. How does IITM Pravartak support rural development?
IITM Pravartak supports rural development through Rural Technology Centres, Rural Interaction Centres, teacher training, digital skilling, agriculture technology platforms and initiatives in robotics, AI, cybersecurity and rural livelihoods.