Students at the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) in Nagpur, Maharashtra, are transforming their ideas into practical applications using artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced research, reflecting the ambitions of India's youth beyond traditional career paths.
With improved infrastructure and access to emerging technologies, VNIT’s laboratories have become vibrant centres of innovation where students develop projects that extend beyond academic requirements, often envisioning entrepreneurial ventures.
Harsh Vyas, a student at VNIT, noted, “As a tech student, I feel that India is becoming increasingly digital, and we are continuously adopting new technologies. With advancements in AI, drones, robotics, and materials engineering, there are immense opportunities for us. It’s an exciting time to be a part of this ecosystem.”
Echoing his views, Ananya Goswami emphasised the importance of keeping pace with global technological developments. “As a tech student, it is very exciting to see how new innovations are emerging not just in India but across the world. Developments like Claude and Gemini show that there is so much more to learn. The faster we understand and adapt to these technologies, the better we can progress,” she said.
Sumedha Desai highlighted the growing startup culture at VNIT, stating, “It is not true that there are no startups at VNIT. There are several initiatives already underway. For instance, one startup is working on indigenous wireless communication systems, contributing to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and a developed India.”
The energy in VNIT’s labs reflects a committed vision, with students developing drone-based solutions and testing sophisticated AI models. Rajsi Deshmukh, a member of VNIT’s robotics and AI club IV Labs, shared insights into her work. “We are part of the IV Labs, which is VNIT’s robotics and AI club. I am specifically working on building indigenous drones from scratch. In line with the ‘Make in India’ vision, we have fabricated these drones ourselves and deployed our own algorithms on them,” she explained.
Deshmukh added, “I have been focusing on developing drones for farmers. These drones provide end-to-end solutions from sowing seeds to harvesting and even assisting in the final stages of sale. We are also working towards building a startup in this domain.”
As India progresses towards its Vision 2047, institutions such as VNIT play a pivotal role in cultivating the nation’s future innovators. Equipped with skills, creativity, and determination, these students are actively shaping the country’s technological future.