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IInvenTiv 2025 showcased a remarkable spectrum of innovations from India’s premier research and technical institutions, highlighting advancements in agriculture, biotechnology, additive manufacturing (3D Printing), and other emerging fields.
IInvenTiv 2025 is a major initiative towards realising the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’ that showcases industry-ready, ground-breaking research. Nearly 185 stalls were filled with the work of IITs, NITs, IISERs and other top 50 NIRF-Ranked institutions.
Thanking all the participants from academic institutions and industry, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “The 183 expo demonstrations, the round table with industry leaders, investors and end users and the eight ‘Chintan Shivir’ have given us deep insights into how we further strengthen the industry academia relationships. Based on this, we will arrive at both a short-term agenda and a long-term agenda, that we will start tracking.”
Further, Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean (ICSR), added “The range of technologies that have been exhibited at IInvenTiv 2025 show the potential of Indian academic institutions. Very positive feedback has been obtained from the industry, and we think there will be a lot of interaction that will lead to tech transfer in the future.”
Industry from across India were invited to view these research projects. The objective was to enable technology transfer from the Research Labs to industry and solve real-world problems. India’s largest R&D Fair, IInvenTiv 2025 showcases groundbreaking innovations from IITs, NITs, IISc, IISERs, and other top 50 NIRF-ranked premier institutes. It is being organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Govt of India.
Held on 28th February and 1st March 2025 at the IIT Madras Campus, IInvenTiv brought together top research groups and industry from across India.
Lauding IInvenTiv 2025 for creating the Industry Connect, Prof. K. N. Satyanarayana, Director, IIT Tirupati, reflected on the impact of IInvenTiv 2025, stating, “With about seven stalls from IIT Tirupati this time, we saw significant industry interest. Many industry leaders followed up with us afterward, exploring potential collaborations. This has been a highly effective platform for fostering industry-academia partnerships.”
Sharing her experience of the Stalls and Panel Discussions held as part of IInven Tiv2025, Prof. Kanchana Bhaaskaran, Vice Chancellor, Vellore Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu, said, “IInvenTiv 2025 has been a remarkable experience. Right from the first meeting with the Directors of IITs, NITs and the top 50 NIRF Ranked institutions, it was evident that this platform serves as a vital bridge between the academia and industry. It not only exhibited the capabilities of our students but also allowed them to engage with innovations, product developments, and emerging industry trends. IInvenTiv 2025 provided us with valuable insights into what industries expect from academia, fostering stronger collaboration for the future."
Speaking at the event, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, “There is a significant amount of development work happening at top knowledge universities but very little translates into actual market-ready products. Much of the work halts at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or 4 but IInvenTiv 2025 aims to push it forward to TRL 8 — where the technology is nearly market-ready. To achieve this, industry participation is crucial, along with involvement from business leaders, marketing firms, and venture capitalists.”
The exhibits in IInvenTiv 2025 spanned a broad spectrum of emerging fields. In agriculture, IIT Kanpur’s startup ScaNxt exhibited ‘BhuParikshak’, a portable, chemical-free soil testing device that uses deep learning for real-time analysis. IISER Thiruvananthapuram’s autonomous rover monitors soil moisture levels, providing crucial irrigation data via a mobile app.
“This has been a remarkable experience, showcasing our innovations alongside the best minds from IITs, NITs, and IISERs,” said Prof. V. Jothiprakash, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay, who exhibited solutions for clearing floating debris in channels.
Prof. V. Jothiprakash added, “Many of these technologies are ready for real-world implementation and can drive an Atmanirbhar Bharat, especially in critical areas like automated sewer cleaning to eliminate manual scavenging. As a faculty and as an organiser of such events at IIT Bombay, I really appreciate the Director, Dean (ICSR), IIT Madras, and IInvenTiv 2025 organising team for their wonderful coordination, arrangements, minute-to-minute scheduling and hospitality, besides a wonderful cultural night by a talented team of differently-abled artists. I also appreciate the industries and audience from all walks of life who enthusiastically visited the exhibits and appreciated the inventions.”
Biotechnology sector featured groundbreaking contributions, particularly from SRM University, which showcased biosurfactants derived from glucose and biowaste, and a microbial pigment from Gram-positive bacteria, serving as a natural dye with antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties. NIT Arunachal Pradesh revealed herbal skincare solutions, including antibacterial and anti-cancer moisturisers and turmeric-infused lip balms.
Additive manufacturing was another major focus, with IIT Madras demonstrating laser powder bed fusion technology, with a key exhibit being a titanium alloy cranial implant. AI and robotics were also strongly represented. IIT Madras presented RoBuoy, an autonomous underwater glider, and a multimodal robotic research platform with walking and grasping capabilities. IIT Kanpur displayed a quadcopter drone with a gripper, showcasing AI-driven precision handling for industrial and defense applications.
IIT Gandhinagar’s Lingo Lab exhibited Ganga, a ChatGPT-style AI model for Indian languages, now available in Hindi and English, with Telugu and Tamil versions in progress. IIT Delhi revealed next-generation human-machine interfaces using ultrasound, a leap in biomechatronics.
Environmental remediation developments were also featured. IISER Kolkata exhibited a water toxin sensor chip, enabling real-time water safety monitoring. NIT Trichy revealed an innovative carbon dioxide-to-methanol conversion process, achieving 16% efficiency in a single pass, offering promise in carbon capture and sustainable fuel production.
Sustainable construction was another recurring theme. IIT Bombay exhibited polymer composite coatings, derived from industrial waste, which enhance soundproofing, thermal insulation, and corrosion resistance. IIT Delhi showcased LC3, a blend of limestone, calcined clay, gypsum, and cement, which reduces CO₂ emissions by 40% while maintaining strength and cost-effectiveness. IIT Dharwad exhibited 3D concrete printing techniques, which significantly reduce material waste and enhance construction efficiency. NIT Silchar and IIT Tirupati showcased geopolymer and flyash incorporated bricks, a low-carbon alternative to conventional concrete bricks.
In healthcare, IIT Madras incubated Hemosync’s non-invasive hemoglobin and vital monitoring device, while another research team exhibited an edible, real-time breath sensor made from rice starch, aloe vera, and ginger, offering a safe and innovative health tracking solution.
The Chintan Shivir panel discussions at IInvenTiv 2025 explored key advancements in sustainability, healthcare, marine technologies, additive manufacturing, AI/ML, rural technologies, and aerospace innovation.
The session on circularity and sustainability addressed challenges in renewable energy, resource efficiency, and carbon neutrality. Experts highlighted the long road to EV sustainability, emphasising emissions from battery production, grid power reliance, and end-of-life concerns. Discussions also focused on circular economy models, advocating for return, reuse, and recycling strategies to minimise waste. The need for alternative hydrogen generation methods and groundwater conservation was underscored as key to achieving sustainable energy transitions. The healthcare panel examined barriers in translating research into real-world applications. Experts stressed the need for structured regulatory frameworks, industry-academia collaboration, and investment support. The lack of an FDA-equivalent in India remains a key challenge, leading to IP transfers overseas.
Additive manufacturing discussions highlighted innovations in 3D printing for industrial, medical, and construction applications, showcasing its role in cost-effective and sustainable production. The AI/ML panel explored applications in automation, predictive analytics, and ethical AI deployment. The rural technologies panel focused on affordable solutions for agriculture, water management, and decentralized energy systems.
The marine technologies panel, featuring government, industry, and academic experts, covered ocean technology missions, shipbuilding concerns, automation, and eco-friendly fuels. Aviation, defence, and space experts emphasised the need for indigenous innovation and supply chain resilience.