The Indian Council for Technical Research and Development (ICTRD) strengthened its engagement with India’s innovation ecosystem as Dr. Ketan Mohitkar, Member Secretary of ICTRD, was invited to the DIPEX–2026 Vidarbha Region Idea Presentation Round, held at Yashwantrao Chauhan College of Engineering (YCCE), Nagpur.
DIPEX–2026, now in its 35th edition, is one of India’s most prestigious state-level exhibition-cum-competitions of working models, jointly organized by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and SRIJAN Trust. The initiative provides a structured platform for students from Diploma, Degree, and Postgraduate programs in Engineering and Technology, Agriculture disciplines, and ITIs across Maharashtra and Goa to present innovative and socially relevant projects.
Addressing students, academicians, and evaluators, Dr. Ketan Mohitkar emphasized that innovation must be rooted in real-world problem-solving. He stated that student projects should demonstrate original thinking, technical soundness, and practical applicability, particularly in sectors that directly impact society such as agriculture, healthcare, energy, infrastructure, and digital technologies.
He highlighted that platforms like DIPEX play a critical role in nurturing creative thinking, engineering discipline, and an entrepreneurial mindset among students. According to him, exposure to expert evaluation and industry interaction at an early stage helps students align their innovations with practical needs and future industry expectations.
DIPEX–2026 follows a multi-stage selection and evaluation process, beginning with online registration and project submission, followed by regional-level Idea Presentation Rounds and expert scrutiny. Shortlisted projects will advance to the Final Exhibition-cum-Competition, scheduled from March 5 to 8, 2026, at MIT, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Projects are evaluated by panels of academicians and industry experts based on parameters such as innovativeness, originality, technical feasibility, functionality, workmanship, and social impact. The introduction of the Idea Presentation Round as a preliminary stage ensures wider participation while enhancing the overall quality of projects.
DIPEX serves as a vital platform for grassroots innovation, enabling students to transform academic concepts into working models and real-world solutions. By promoting Industry Institute Society interaction, the event contributes to the development of a skilled, innovation-ready workforce aligned with India’s technological and developmental priorities.
ICTRD’s Role in Technical Education and Innovation the Indian Council for Technical Research and Development (ICTRD) is a pioneer in promoting technical education, research-led innovation, capacity building, and technology-driven development. ICTRD actively works to bridge gaps between academia, industry, and policy, fostering ecosystems that encourage applied research, entrepreneurship, and sustainable innovation.
Participation in platforms like DIPEX aligns closely with ICTRD’s mission to support future-ready education and innovation-led growth. By engaging with students, educators, and institutions at such events, ICTRD reinforces its commitment to nurturing talent, strengthening innovation ecosystems, and contributing meaningfully to national development.