Techkriti’25, the annual technical and entrepreneurial festival of IIT Kanpur, brought together leaders from the defence and space sectors for thought-provoking discussions. During the event, the Rakshakriti Keynote was delivered by Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and Maj. Gen. C.S. Mann from the Army Design Bureau, where they discussed strategic defence advancements.
Later in the day, the Space Conclave featured insights from Dr. A.S. Kiran Kumar, former ISRO Chairman, and Dr. Vinod Kumar from the Promotion Directorate, IN-SPACe, highlighting India’s growing presence in space exploration. 

During his address Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said,” My compliments to IIT Kanpur for organizing this event. Rapid capability enhancement of the armed forces is essential to addressing emerging security challenges in light of the evolving geo-strategic landscape. Our goal is to establish ourselves as an aerospace power by 2047, and industry-academia collaboration will be key to achieving this.”

Talking on the first day of the event, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan had said, “The future battlefield will be dominated by technology-driven decision-making, autonomous weapons, and real-time intelligence processing. We must integrate these advancements into our defence framework to maintain strategic superiority.”

Commending the efforts of Techkriti team Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur said, “Commending the efforts of Techkriti team Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur said, “Techkriti has always been a reflection of IIT Kanpur’s commitment to innovation and evolving with the needs of the time. This year, with the introduction of Rakshakriti, we are expanding our focus to a critical area—defence capacity building. At a time when technological advancements are reshaping national security, this initiative provides a platform for thought leaders, industry experts, and students to engage in meaningful dialogue. It also offers IIT Kanpur an opportunity to showcase its contributions to defence technology and research. Congratulations to the students for curating this event.”

Throughout the day, participants engaged in a series of competitions, including Astro Quiz, CodeNCompete, Strategy Sprint, and Model UN, testing their knowledge and strategic thinking. The evening concluded with an electrifying Pronite, featuring performances by Seedhe Maut & Carnivore, followed by Robowars Night, which showcased intense robotic engineering and combat skills.
Techkriti began on March 27th with the traditional lighting of the lamp, symbolizing knowledge, progress, and innovation. The esteemed dignitaries who graced the event included General Anil Chauhan, Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, and Prof. Amitabha Bandyopadhyay, Chairman of the Festival Advisory Committee, Techkriti’25. The ceremony was followed by a captivating cultural performance, adding artistic grandeur to the occasion.

As part of the inaugural day’s proceedings, General Anil Chauhan visited the Techkriti Expo, where cutting-edge defense and technological innovations were on display. The expo served as a platform for showcasing pioneering advancements, offering attendees a unique glimpse into the future of national security and warfare.

A key highlight of the first day was an exclusive visit to the IIT Kanpur Airstrip, where a live demonstration provided a firsthand experience of India's defense technology capabilities. This segment showcased the precision, power, and innovation that define India’s modern armed forces.

The third day (29 March) will showcase a NIMES Performance, followed by a FinTech Panel. Attendees can also participate in competitions such as Techkriti Grand Prix, Pitch Premier, and Speed Quant, culminating in an exciting Pronite and the Robowars Grand Finale. 

In addition to these events, Techkriti’25 will offer Exhibitions & Auto Shows showcasing groundbreaking technological and automotive innovations, Workshops & Masterclasses on AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, and robotics, a Startup Showcase, and an E-Sports Arena featuring high-stakes gaming tournaments.