IIIT Delhi launches space technology centre, signals push into defence and space research

Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Delhi has announced the launch of a dedicated space technology centre, putting a clear spotlight on its ambitions in the space and defence technology space. The announcement came during space dialogue 2026, held on April 13 at the institute’s campus.

The event brought together experts from academia, defence forces, and industry to exchange ideas on emerging technologies shaping the future of national security. Discussions ranged from space defence and AI to quantum sensors, space domain awareness, and next-generation navigation systems.

While the dialogue set the stage for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the biggest takeaway from the event was the unveiling of the new centre, which is expected to become a key hub for advanced research in the space sector.

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IIIT-Delhi space technology centre to focus on cutting-edge innovation

The newly launched space technology centre at IIIT-Delhi will work on a range of specialised areas, including space situational awareness, satellite navigation, GNSS, RF systems, embedded technologies, and cybersecurity in space.

The centre will be led by Sanat K. Biswas from the department of electronics and communications engineering, and is designed to encourage interdisciplinary research. The institute aims to bring together experts from multiple domains to tackle complex challenges in the evolving space ecosystem.

Speaking about the initiative, Biswas said, “Space Dialogue 2026 reflects our commitment to establishing interdisciplinary collaboration at the frontier of space and defence technologies. With the launch of ISTC, we aim to build an ecosystem that is future-ready and brings innovation. We expect our collective efforts will strengthen national capabilities in this critical domain.”

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IIIT-Delhi space dialogue 2026 brings academia, defence and industry together

Space Dialogue 2026 saw participation from leading academic institutions, including IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IISc Bangalore, IIST Trivandrum, several other IITs, and NITs. Government bodies such as CDAC and SAMEER were also part of the discussions, alongside representatives from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, the Defence Space Agency, and national security organisations.

The event also drew interest from industry players like Qosmic, Dhruva Space, and VyomIC, highlighting the growing collaboration between academia and private players in the space sector.

Among the distinguished attendees were Manu Midha and Subrata Saha, along with senior officials from the Defence Space Agency and several directors and vice-chancellors representing leading academic institutions.