IIT Madras

19/10/2026

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From Physical Science to AI research in Japan!

As reported in India Today, IIT Madras BS student Shudhanshu Kumar Yadav’s journey shows how curiosity, consistent learning and hands-on experience can open new doors.

With limited coding experience, Shudhanshu began building his skills in programming, Data Science and AI through the IIT Madras BS Degree in Data Science and Applications. Since then, he has worked on a crop yield prediction project and explored Large Language Models (LLMs) for Human Activity Recognition during a research internship at Dhirubhai Ambani University.

His achievements include internship offers from Jamia Millia Islamia and IIM Bangalore, along with selection for the Matsuo & Iwasawa Laboratory at the University of Tokyo and GCI World 2026.

His journey is a reminder that your starting point need not define your destination. With the right learning opportunities and determination, new possibilities can emerge!
Read more: https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/how-an-iit-madras-student-with-little-coding-experience-got-selected-for-a-university-of-tokyo-ai-lab-3014626-2026-10-11

17/10/2026

As part of Shaastra, IIT Madras, the Defence Intelligence Summit 2027 hosted a Special Forces Showcase in collaboration with the 27 Special Composite Group (SCG), NSG.

The showcase presented 30+ pieces of specialised defence equipment, including sniper systems, ri**es, rocket launchers, UAVs, UGVs, bomb disposal suits, remotely operated systems, and specialised surveillance equipment.

The event also provided attendees with an opportunity to interact with the commandos and gain insights into the operational role of these systems. The discussions offered valuable perspectives on the importance of precision, situational awareness, preparedness, and technological capability in modern defence operations.

With the participation of 20+ commandos and over 500 visitors, the showcase provided a meaningful platform for engaging with the technologies and operational capabilities that support specialised missions.

The showcase was a significant component of the Defence Intelligence Summit 2027, highlighting the intersection of intelligence, technology, and operational preparedness in contemporary defence.

For more information about the summit:
🌐 summit.shaastra.org

16/10/2026

16/10/2026

What does it take to build a city where everyone can move with safety, independence and dignity?

On White Cane Day, observed on 15th October 2026, IIT Madras Professor Dr Hemachandran Karah explores this question in his op-ed, “The Unprepared Ground for White Cane Users,” published in The Hindu.

Drawing on experiences in Chennai and London, he highlights the everyday barriers faced by people with visual impairments, from obstructed pavements and open drains to traffic noise and inaccessible infrastructure.

His message is clear: accessibility must go beyond mobility aids. Instead of asking people to adapt to unsafe environments, we must build cities that adapt to everyone’s needs.

This White Cane Day, let’s rethink our public spaces and work towards cities where inclusion is not an exception, but a way of life.

🔗 Read the op-ed: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-unprepared-ground-for-white-cane-users/article71576411.ece

IIT Madras The Hindu

15/10/2026

Every face has a story and every dream deserves a chance. Portrait of Many Faces, presented by IIT Madras and Eros Universe, takes you through the lives of 17 BS Degree students, capturing their dreams, challenges and journey towards a brighter future.

Directed and edited by IIT Madras alumnus Shashwat Mookherjee, this documentary celebrates the power of accessible education and the people whose stories inspire us to dream bigger.

With over 50,000 active learners, IIT Madras’ BS in Data Science and Applications reflects the vision of ‘IITM For All’ championed by Director Prof. V. Kamakoti, which believes that every learner deserves an opportunity. 

🎬 Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/ImuBuPFaYTo

▶️ Watch the full documentary for free: https://erosnow.com/movie/watch/17000541/portrait-of-many-faces

IIT Madras Eros Universe IITMADRAS BS DEGREE

15/10/2026

What does it take to build deeptech companies that can transform India and compete globally?

In an interview with Analytics India Magazine (AIM), Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, shares the vision behind a long-term approach to deeptech investment—one that prioritises technological innovation, sustainable growth and industry adoption.

The IITM Unicorn Frontier Fund-I, established by IIT Madras, IIT Madras Research Park and Unicorn India Ventures, has achieved its first close, marking a significant step towards supporting early-stage deeptech ventures. With a focus on nurturing promising technologies, the fund aims to give startups the time and resources needed to develop, scale and bring their innovations to market.

Prof. Kamakoti also emphasises the importance of Indian industries adopting homegrown technologies to strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem.

With a growing startup portfolio and a commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship, IIT Madras continues to advance India’s deeptech ambitions.

🔗 Read the full interview: https://analyticsindiamag.com/ai-features/why-iit-madras-is-shunning-the-yc-model-for-its-1000-cr-deeptech-fund

14/10/2026

During his visit to IIT Madras, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre (SGBC) to the nation, marking a significant milestone in India’s neuroscience research journey.
The visit also saw the launch of the Centre’s ambitious mission to create 3D atlases of over 100 human brains at cell resolution across the human lifespan, and the release of C-STROKE, the world’s first human ischemic stroke atlas.

Bringing together advanced brain imaging, computing and multidisciplinary scientific and technology expertise, the Centre makes these high-resolution brain maps accessible to researchers and medical professionals worldwide. These resources support deeper understanding of brain structure and disease while opening new avenues for neuroscience and neuromedicine.

The occasion underscores IIT Madras’ commitment to advancing scientific research and contributing to global healthcare innovation.

14/10/2026

IIT Madras Develops the World’s First Human Ischemic Stroke Atlas
During the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to IIT Madras, Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre (SGBC) released C-STROKE, the world’s first human ischemic stroke atlas as an open global resource.

This pioneering resource bridges clinical MRI scans with microscopic, whole-brain imaging, offering insights into stroke-related changes at the cellular level. Featuring over 1,000 annotated brain sections, the atlas maps key cellular markers associated with neuronal health, neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption, hypoxia and axonal injury.

Developed with support from IIT Madras Distinguished Alumnus Mr V. Prem Watsa, the atlas provides an open-access platform for researchers and clinicians worldwide to investigate cerebrovascular diseases and explore potential therapeutic targets.

C-STROKE represents a significant milestone in advancing understanding of stroke - https://c-stroke.humanbrain.in

14/10/2026

IIT Madras Brain Centre Embarks on a Landmark Human Brain Mapping Mission

During the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to IIT Madras, the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre (SGBC), headed by Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, launched its mission to map over 100 human brains into 3D atlases at cell resolution, spanning the human lifespan from foetal development to old age and including brain-related diseases.

This ambitious initiative aims to create the largest collection of whole-human-brain maps at cellular resolution, advancing scientific understanding of the human brain and neurological conditions. Through its advanced brain imaging and computing platform, the Centre is making these atlases publicly accessible to researchers and medical professionals worldwide. The Centre has already released 3D atlases of a second-trimester fetus - DHARANI (https://brainportal.humanbrain.in/publicview/index.html), brainstem- ANCHOR (https://anchor.humanbrain.in/) and Stroke - C-STROKE (https://c-stroke.humanbrain.in/) as part of this mission.

The initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening India’s contribution to global neuroscience research and enabling future discoveries in brain health.