Commencement 2026

IIT Bombay hosted Commencement 2026 at the Institute’s Convocation Hall, celebrating ~2500 students who are likely to graduate in the current academic year.

Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development (DD R&D) and Chairperson, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and delivered the Commencement Address.

This year’s ceremony included around 1,257 undergraduate students, 1,042 postgraduate students, and 189 PhD scholars, all of whom were invited to join the Director on the dais for a commemorative photograph, creating a memorable moment for the graduating class.

The Commencement ceremony, introduced by IIT Bombay in 2023, is an annual celebration held after the final semester examinations to bring together graduating students, their batchmates, and families as they celebrate their journey at the Institute before they leave campus and embark on a new chapter in their lives.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Board of Governors, faculty members, graduating students, and their families.

It was also broadcast live on IIT Bombay’s official YouTube channel here.

Image and story source: IITB HP Commencement

Institute Valedictory Function (Valfi) 2026

IIT Bombay celebrated Valfi 2026 with the graduating Class of 2026 as they prepared to step beyond campus and begin their journey as alumni of the Institute.

Valfi is a defining rite of passage for every IIT Bombay graduate and is marked by laughter, emotion, and moments that stay long after the final group photograph is taken. This tradition continued with Valfi 2026, as the graduating class came together for a celebration that was both joyful and reflective.

As in previous years, the Student Alumni Relations Cell (SARC) played a central role in hosting Valfi. From shaping the concept to executing the event with precision, their work reflected the initiative, creativity, and responsibility that continue to define IIT Bombay’s student community.

This spirit of collective effort and continuity set the tone for the evening, as Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, marked the occasion with a heartfelt thought for the graduating students. He said, “You can go out of IIT Bombay, but IIT Bombay can never go out of you.”

The event also brought together voices from across generations of the IIT Bombay community. Addressing the graduating batch, Mr. Jerin Venad (Dual Degree, Mechanical Engineering, 2014), CEO and Co-Founder of Cityflo, spoke about how his years at the Institute gave him the space to experiment, fail, and eventually discover purpose. Reflecting on life after graduation, he told students, “From tomorrow, your syllabus disappears. And you have to figure out what you have to work on.”

Jerin Venad 

Prof. Surekha Zingde 

Prof. Surekha Zingde (MSc., Chemistry, 1972), Trustee of the Indian Women Scientists’ Association and former Deputy Director at the Cancer Research Institute, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), shared reflections from her own journey at IIT Bombay and encouraged the graduating class to create meaningful change wherever they go. Drawing from chemistry, she left students with a thought that resonated deeply through the evening. She said, “In a reaction, the catalyst doesn’t just speed up, it creates a new path. Be a catalyst.”

The spirit of giving back was also reflected in the Class of 2026 itself. Through their Batch Legacy Project, students came together with more than 500 pledges, over 25 contributions, and commitments exceeding Rs. 10 lakh, signalling the beginning of their relationship with the Institute not only as graduates, but also as future contributors to its journey.

Image and story source: DACR LinkedIn Valfi26

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