IIT Kanpur alumni pledge ₹100 crore to set up new technology school

IIT Kanpur has received its largest-ever contribution from a single graduating batch, with alumni from the class of 2000 pledging ₹100 crore during their Silver Jubilee reunion.

The donation will be used to set up the Millennium School of Technology and Society, a new academic unit focused on advanced technical education, interdisciplinary research, and industry collaboration.

Institute officials said the initiative is expected to expand opportunities for students while strengthening the link between technology and societal needs.

The announcement was made in Lucknow and marks a significant moment for the institute, as this is the first time one batch has committed such a large amount within a single year.

Alumni leaders said the new school would support innovation-driven learning and research aligned with emerging global challenges.

Several prominent alumni were involved in mobilizing the contribution, including Naveen Tewari, founder of InMobi and Glance, highlighting the growing role of IIT Kanpur’s global alumni network in shaping the institute’s future.

Professor Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, described the contribution as a “strong testament to the unbreakable bond between the alumni and the institute,” adding that it would strengthen the academic and research ecosystem and open new pathways for innovation.

The donation adds to a broader trend of rising alumni philanthropy at IIT Kanpur. In the previous year, the institute received ₹265.24 crore from alumni and donors.

The School of Medical Sciences and Technology has attracted close to ₹500 crore in contributions, supporting expansion in healthcare education and research.

On Dec 21, alumni from the 1986 batch donated ₹11 crore toward student life initiatives, mental health programs, and community facilities.

Institute officials said such targeted support has helped balance academic growth with student well-being.

Similar patterns are visible across Indian higher education institutions. IndiGo Airlines co-founder Rakesh Gangwal has donated ₹108.7 crore toward medical education and research infrastructure.

IIT BHU has received more than ₹100 crore from alumni over the past five years for projects including a new library, a convention center, and a metallurgy research center.

At MNNIT Prayagraj, alumni have contributed ₹5 crore directly and pledged an additional ₹25 crore over five years, while the 1998 batch donated ₹1.7 crore for a modern student activity center.

Education experts said growing alumni engagement is enabling institutions to undertake large-scale projects that were earlier constrained by funding.

The ₹100 crore pledge from IIT Kanpur’s 2000 batch is being seen as part of a broader shift in how alumni partnerships are reshaping infrastructure, research capacity, and student support across Indian higher education.