Archive · 18 Aug 2026
IIT Kharagpur at 75: Director redefines IIT's purpose by 2047
Long ago, in 1951, India turned an old jail called Hijli into a special school for engineering students called IIT Kharagpur.
Now this school is 75 years old.
The school's director, Suman Chakraborty, wrote an essay about what these schools should do in the future.
He says IITs should help all of India, not just their own students.
He wants IIT teachers to help teachers at other schools too.
He thinks children should learn by asking questions and being curious.
He also says getting into IIT should not depend on just one exam.
He wants students to learn about artificial intelligence, how to use it, and when to be careful with it.
He hopes campuses will test new machines and ideas in real life.
Most importantly, he says the IITs succeed when people who never even attended an IIT still get help from it.
IIT Kharagpur was founded on August 18, 1951, when India turned the Hijli site of incarceration into a knowledge institution.
Director Suman Chakraborty's essay envisions IITs by 2047 as universities and national capability platforms serving nation-building.
He urges admission routes beyond JEE, GATE and JAM, recognising achievements in olympiads, innovation challenges and sports.
The essay argues students should understand how AI works, work intelligently with it, and know when not to trust it.
Success should be measured by how much of Bharat rises — better teachers, stronger institutions and healthier communities.
- Who
- Suman Chakraborty, Director of IIT Kharagpur, author of the vision essay.
- What
- A vision essay redefining the purpose of IITs for the next 25 years, urging them to serve as nation-building capability platforms by 2047.
- When
- August 2026, on the 75th anniversary of IIT Kharagpur's founding on August 18, 1951.
- Where
- India, centred on IIT Kharagpur.
- Why
- To argue that IIT excellence should be measured by how much of India — teachers, institutions, communities and non-IIT students — rises with them.
- Event
- 75th anniversary of IIT Kharagpur
- Founding date
- August 18, 1951
- Founding site
- Hijli, a former site of incarceration
- Author
- Suman Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur
- Vision horizon
- 2047 (India@2047)
- Programmes mentioned
- School-Connect Programme, Outreach Course Network
- Core theme
- IITs as engines of inclusive national development