IITs to Offer Engineering Courses in Indian Languages, Emphasize Industry Ties and Student Wellness

India's premier engineering institutions are undergoing a significant transformation to make technical education more accessible and globally competitive. The 56th IIT Council meeting, chaired by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, announced that engineering courses will now be available in Indian regional languages, building on AICTE's preparation of textbooks in 11 languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. IIT Jodhpur has already pioneered this approach with Hindi-medium BTech programs.

Beyond language accessibility, the council emphasized strengthening ties with industry partners. This collaboration will shape curricula to meet real-world needs and elevate research standards to global benchmarks, potentially giving Indian innovations greater international recognition. Under the Professor of Practice scheme, seasoned industry professionals will mentor students alongside traditional faculty.

The council also recognized that student success extends beyond academics. Education Minister Pradhan advocated for comprehensive mental health support, including annual health check-ups and institutional engagement with student concerns. Additionally, the implementation of sports quotas across all IITs will enable talented athletes to balance academic excellence with athletic pursuits, fostering holistic development.