IIT Bombay hosted the interim session of its 63^rd Convocation, conferring degrees on students who completed their academic requirements between August 2024 and January 2025. This interim convocation allows students to receive their degrees ahead of the formal ceremony, enabling them to seamlessly pursue career opportunities and further academic endeavours.

A total of 354 degrees were awarded, including 219 PhDs, dual-degree programmes such as MTech/MSc + PhD, and the IITB-Monash University Joint PhD. Additionally, 135 degrees were conferred across various programmes, including 36 Executive MBA (E-MBA) degrees and, for the first time, six Master in Development Practice (MDP) degrees from CTARA.

The ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Shri Abhishek Singh, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. Dr. Sharad Kumar Saraf, Chairperson of the Board of Governors, presided over the event, while the degrees were conferred by Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay. The gathering included Prof. Markus Baer, Vice Dean of Degree and Non-Degree Executive Education and Professor of Organizational Behaviour, Olin Business School, Washington University, St. Louis, USA, graduating students, distinguished faculty members, students, and proud families celebrating this academic milestone.

In his address, Prof. Kedare highlighted the Institute’s plans to broaden its academic offerings, including a four-year BSc program in Applied Geophysics and an M.Tech. program in Climate and Sustainability, both set to launch in July 2025.

Key updates he shared included:

• The launch of an e-PG diploma course covering AI & ML, E-mobility, and Interactive Design under the educational outreach office.
• A faculty expansion drive with 55 new full-time faculty members joining in the past year, increasing the Institute’s faculty strength to 751, including eight professors of practice. This cohort features 125 women faculty—the highest among all IITs.
• Significant progress in campus infrastructure, with new buildings worth Rs. 2,500 crore, is underway.
• Securing Rs. 446 crore in extramural funding for the financial year, including Rs. 128 crore for the BharatGen project.
• A Rs. 900 crore grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to establish a Thematic Hub in Quantum Sensing and Metrology, positioning IIT Bombay at the forefront of national quantum research.
• Strengthening global collaborations by signing 73 MoUs with 55 universities across 27 countries, covering student exchange programs, doctoral co-supervision, and academic partnerships.
• Major campus developments, including the Desai Sethi School of Entrepreneurship, Hostel 19, Project Evergreen, Hostel 4, the new Aero Department building, and the new Student Activity Centre, are all nearing completion.
• The groundbreaking of three new academic buildings, with construction in progress.
• New residential accommodations in the pipeline, including apartments for married students, 2BHK transit housing for faculty, faculty and staff residential towers, new hostels, academic and research blocks, an alumni centre, an open-air theatre, and recreational spaces.
• The newly inaugurated A91 Eco Hub, designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, now houses the Departments of Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences, Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, and the Technocraft Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence.

“IIT Bombay continues to make forays into newer territories pertinent to undergraduate and postgraduate education in today’s rapidly evolving world. As in the past several years, IITB continues to be the most sought-after destination for UG and PG studies,” said Prof. Kedare.

Addressing the graduating students, Chief Guest Shri Abhishek Singh emphasized the transformative power of research and innovation. He encouraged graduates to translate their theses into impactful projects, shaping startups, policies, and societal change. He noted, “Imagine a future where the theses of 219 PhD scholars are turned into research projects. Do not just earn your degrees, but power startups, shape policies, and solve societal challenges. That’s the ecosystem we are building, one where curiosity meets application and innovation drives prosperity. Your role in the next 25 years will be very vital, very critical as India marches on its goal towards becoming a Viksit Bharat, a developed nation by 2047.”

Dr. Sharad Kumar Saraf, Chairperson of the Board of Governors, urged graduates to use their IITB education to contribute to industry and national growth. “My suggestion to the passing students is to see if you can put your knowledge earned in this Institute for the benefit of industry and thereby help in the economic growth of the country. IITs and its alumni have created a world-famous brand name, and now, it is time for you to take this brand forward. I request you to remember that the success you will achieve is all because of your alma mater.”

Finally, Prof. Kedare congratulated the graduates, their families, and faculty members, reflecting on IIT Bombay’s enduring legacy. “IIT Bombay, with its 66-year legacy, continues to evolve as a global leader in education, research, and innovation. Our commitment to excellence drives us to expand interdisciplinary fields, foster entrepreneurship, and create societal impact. As you step beyond the gates of IIT Bombay, you carry with you not just knowledge but the resilience, curiosity, and problem-solving mindset that defines a true engineer, scientist, and leader. The world today demands innovation, integrity, and a commitment to making a difference—values that have been at the core of your journey here. To our graduates, may you shape a future that’s brighter, bolder, and boundless in possibilities.”

The convocation ceremony is more than a celebration of academic achievement—it is a reaffirmation of IIT Bombay’s commitment to shaping future leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers. Each graduating student carries forward the Institute’s ethos of intellectual curiosity and societal responsibility, stepping into a world that demands both expertise and vision. As they embark on their respective paths, their contributions—whether in research, industry, entrepreneurship, or public service—will define the trajectory of India’s growth and global standing. IIT Bombay takes immense pride in nurturing individuals who don’t just adapt to change but drive it, ensuring that knowledge translates into meaningful impact for the nation and beyond.