Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar will offer a first of its kind M.Tech (Defence Technology) degree programme for mid-level officers of the armed forces.

The M.Tech programme has been developed through the joint efforts of Indian Army’s Armoured Corps Centre & School (ACC&S) and IIT Ropar, and ensures a perfect alignment between academic rigor and military requirements, an official statement said. The curriculum emphasizes applied learning, hands-on research, and innovation-driven problem-solving, preparing officers to become technology leaders within the armed forces.

"This collaboration marks a paradigm shift in how India approaches defence technology education. By bringing together the intellectual rigor of IIT Ropar with the operational excellence of the Indian Army, we are creating a unique model that will produce defence technology leaders capable of driving India's self-reliance in critical defence sectors. This is our contribution to Viksit Bharat 2047", Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar, said.

The initiative is designed exclusively for officers of the ACC&S and marks an unprecedented collaboration between premier academic institutions and the armed forces of the country.

IIT Ropar and Indian Army formalized the partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). The MoA goes beyond the academic programme, and seeks to establish an expansive framework for joint research and development initiatives that will address critical technological challenges facing India's defence sector. The partnership encompasses several strategic focus areas like Joint Research & Development Initiatives, Next- Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) Technologies, Advanced Armament Solutions and New Materials and Technologies for Armoured Platforms.

According to a statement issued by IIT Ropar, this is the first time any IIT in India has established such a comprehensive defence technology partnership with the armed forces. The initiative goes beyond conventional academic offerings, creating a robust ecosystem where cutting-edge research, applied innovation, and military operational expertise converge to strengthen India's defence capabilities, it stated.

Upon successful completion of the programme, officers who will be awarded an M.Tech (Defence Technology) degree from IIT Ropar, are expected to spearhead technological modernization initiatives across armoured formations and contribute significantly to indigenization efforts in defence manufacturing. The research outcomes from this collaboration are anticipated to benefit not only the armed forces but also contribute to civilian applications in areas such as autonomous vehicles, advanced manufacturing, and materials engineering. This dual-use approach maximizes the societal impact of research investments while accelerating technology transfer from laboratory to field.