Kharagpur | July 3, 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur today convened a pre-convocation press meet ahead of its 72nd convocation, scheduled to be held on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the institute campus. The media interaction was addressed by Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur, who shared key highlights of this year’s Convocation, the institute’s academic achievements, and its vision for the future as IIT Kharagpur proudly celebrates its Platinum Jubilee Year. The press meet was also attended by Prof. Gargi Das, professor-in-charge of convocation, along with the institute’s public relations officer.
The 72nd Convocation marks another significant milestone in the illustrious journey of India’s first IIT, bringing together generations of scholars, innovators, policymakers, industry leaders, alumni, faculty members, students, and their families to celebrate academic excellence, innovation, and the transformative power of higher education. The Convocation will be held in the august presence of Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, the honorable Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the North Eastern Region, Government of India, as the Chief Guest. The ceremony will also feature Prof. Nicholas B. Dirks, President and CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences; Professor of History and Anthropology; and Former Chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley, as the Distinguished International Guest and Plenary Speaker.
The occasion will be graced by Shri Dilip Ghosh, Minister-in-Charge, Department of Panchayats and Rural Development, Department of Agricultural Marketing, and Department of Animal Resources Development, Government of West Bengal; Dr. Kalyan Chakraborti, Minister-in-Charge, Department of Information Technology and Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Food Processing Industries and Horticulture, Government of West Bengal; Shri Jagannath Chattopadhyay, Minister-in-Charge, Department of Higher Education and Department of Technical Education, Training and Skill Development, Government of West Bengal; Prof. Shekhar C. Mande, President, Indian National Science Academy, Former Director General, CSIR, and Former Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India; Shri Manoj Kumar Agarwal, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal; Dr. Subrata Gupta, IAS (Retd.), Advisor to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of West Bengal and Former Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, Mr. T. V. Narendran, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Kharagpur, Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur, along with distinguished alumni, faculty members, parents, and other eminent guests.
This year, IIT Kharagpur will confer 3,936 degrees across a wide spectrum of undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and professional programmes, reflecting the institute’s multidisciplinary academic excellence. The degrees comprise 539 PhD, 31 MS, 908 M.Tech, 51 MCP, 163 MBA, 29 EMBA, 59 PGDBA, 13 MPPLG, 10 MMST, 38 MHRM, 14 M.Arch, 73 LLM, 31 LLB, 801 dual degrees, 628 B.Tech (Hons.), 40 B.Arch (Hons.), 181 four-year B.S., 18 five-year M.Sc., 209 two-year M.Sc., 1 M.Sc.-M.Tech, 3 three-year M.Sc., 14 BS-MTech, 80 BS-MS (five-year), and 2 CER degrees. The ceremony will also witness the conferment of the institute’s highest academic honors, including the President’s Gold Medal, the Prime Minister’s Gold Medal, and several other distinguished medals recognizing exceptional scholastic achievement, leadership, innovation, and all-around excellence.
Addressing the media, Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur, said, “As we celebrate the 72nd Convocation during IIT Kharagpur’s Platinum Jubilee Year, we celebrate not only the accomplishments of our graduating students but also the enduring legacy of an institution that has shaped generations of leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and nation builders. This convocation is a celebration of aspiration, perseverance, and excellence while reaffirming our commitment to advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, strengthening global partnerships, and creating transformative solutions for society. As India’s first IIT, we remain steadfast in our mission of nurturing future-ready leaders who will contribute meaningfully to the nation and the world.”
The director further highlighted that IIT Kharagpur continues to strengthen its global standing through pioneering research, interdisciplinary education, impactful industry collaborations, international partnerships, and a thriving innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Guided by its commitment to academic excellence and societal impact, the Institute continues to contribute significantly to national priorities while addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges through science, technology, and innovation.
Celebrated during the Institute’s Platinum Jubilee Year, the 72nd Convocation reflects IIT Kharagpur’s unwavering pursuit of excellence and its enduring commitment to creating knowledge, nurturing talent, and driving technological advancement. As India’s first IIT continues to build upon a distinguished legacy spanning seventy-five years, the institute remains dedicated to shaping the future through world-class education, path-breaking research, innovation, and service to society. The 72nd Convocation will stand as a celebration of achievement, aspiration, and responsibility, welcoming 3,936 graduates into the distinguished global fraternity of IIT Kharagpur alumni and inspiring them to carry forward the values of integrity, leadership, innovation, and nation-building in every sphere of their professional and personal lives.
