New Delhi, August 8, 2026 – In a powerful address to the bright minds graduating from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday underscored the paramount importance of continuous learning in an era of rapid global transformation. Speaking at the institute’s 57th convocation ceremony, the Prime Minister not only celebrated the academic achievements of the graduating class but also exhorted them to become active participants in India’s ambitious journey towards becoming a developed nation. His visit also marked the inauguration of a cutting-edge AI supercomputing facility, poised to propel India’s technological prowess.
The convocation, held at the IIT Delhi campus, was a landmark event, bringing together the graduating students, their proud families, faculty, and distinguished guests. Prime Minister Modi, who had previously attended the ceremony virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, expressed his profound delight at being present in person this year. "The last time I attended this convocation, the entire country was going through the period of COVID. Back then, I had joined virtually, but today, I am present here among all you young friends, and that is why I am feeling very good," he remarked, his words resonating with a sense of shared experience and optimism.
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Celebrating Excellence and Inspiring Future Contributions
The Prime Minister’s address was interspersed with moments of heartfelt congratulation for the meritorious students who received medals for their outstanding academic performance. While acknowledging their hard work and dedication, he also offered a poignant observation on the representation of women among the awardees. "Today, several students have received medals for their achievements. I congratulate all of you very much for this. But it would have been even better if there were one or two more daughters among them… Actual situation, you know!" he stated, subtly highlighting the ongoing need to foster greater inclusivity and equal opportunity in higher education and beyond. This observation, delivered with a blend of encouragement and gentle prodding, aimed to spur introspection and action towards achieving gender parity in academic excellence.
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The ceremony also witnessed the formal inauguration of "Param Pragya," a state-of-the-art AI-powered high-performance supercomputing facility at IIT Delhi’s Sonipat campus. This significant addition to India’s technological infrastructure is expected to significantly boost research and development in artificial intelligence, a field that is rapidly reshaping industries and global economies. The facility’s deployment underscores the government’s commitment to harnessing advanced technologies for national progress and innovation.
The Indispensable Power of Lifelong Learning
At the heart of Prime Minister Modi’s address lay a compelling message for the graduating cohort: "The one who learns will win." He emphasized that the students were stepping into a professional landscape characterized by unprecedented dynamism, where technology, industries, and global power dynamics were in constant flux. In such an environment, he asserted, the ability and willingness to continuously acquire new knowledge and skills would be the ultimate determinant of success.
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"The world will change, technology will change, industries will change, professions will change, but amid all of this, remember my words – the one who learns will win," the Prime Minister declared, his voice firm and resonant. He painted a picture of a future that was inherently unpredictable, making adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning not just desirable but essential for navigating the complexities and seizing the opportunities that lay ahead. This sentiment, particularly relevant for a generation poised to lead the nation, serves as a guiding principle for their professional and personal growth.
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A Call to Action: Shaping India’s Developed Future
Beyond academic accolades and technological advancements, Prime Minister Modi invoked a profound sense of responsibility in the graduating students. He drew parallels with the sacrifices of India’s freedom fighters, urging the young graduates to channel their intellect and energy towards contributing to the nation’s development and its aspiration to become a developed country by 2047.
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He challenged them to think critically about how their chosen career paths could address India’s unique needs and contribute to its progress. "The choices you make over the next 30 to 35 years could influence the country’s development," he pointed out, underscoring the significant impact their future endeavors would have on the nation’s trajectory. This call to action resonated with a deep-seated patriotism, encouraging them to view their professional lives as a platform for national service and nation-building.
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The Prime Minister also acknowledged the diverse aspirations that typically accompany graduation. He lightened the mood by speculating on the varied thoughts running through the students’ minds – from anticipating their first salary to planning future academic pursuits or entrepreneurial ventures. He reassured them that regardless of their individual paths, the commencement of a new chapter in their lives was a moment of shared excitement and immense potential.
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Education Minister Highlights Transformative Growth in Higher Education
The convocation was also addressed by the Union Education Minister, Prahlad Joshi, who echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments and provided a comprehensive overview of the significant strides made in India’s higher education sector. Minister Joshi congratulated the graduating students, their parents, and the esteemed faculty of IIT Delhi, acknowledging their collective contribution to academic excellence.
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He lauded Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership, stating that his guidance had been instrumental in fostering a more learner-centric, research-oriented, and future-ready education system in the country. "After taking the additional charge as the Education Minister, this is my first-ever public programme in an education institution with the Prime Minister. I am so happy and blessed by you all," he expressed, highlighting the significance of the occasion.
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Minister Joshi further elaborated on the transformative growth witnessed in India’s higher education landscape since 2014. He shared compelling data, indicating a substantial increase in student enrollment, with over 4.5 crore students currently pursuing higher education. The number of universities has also seen a remarkable surge, increasing by nearly 70%. This expansion, he noted, has been complemented by the establishment of numerous new institutions, including over 650 universities, 14,000 colleges, more than 4,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), nine Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), seven IITs, and 13 All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) since 2014. These figures paint a vivid picture of the government’s commitment to enhancing access to quality education and strengthening the nation’s intellectual capital.
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The presence of Prime Minister Modi at IIT Delhi’s 57th convocation, coupled with the inauguration of the advanced supercomputing facility, signifies a pivotal moment in India’s pursuit of technological self-reliance and academic excellence. The Prime Minister’s address served as a powerful clarion call to the graduating engineers, urging them to leverage their education, embrace continuous learning, and actively contribute to the nation’s ambitious developmental agenda. As these bright minds embark on their professional journeys, the spirit of innovation, responsibility, and lifelong learning, instilled by this momentous occasion, is poised to shape a brighter future for India.
