Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi Visits IIT Kanpur, Engages with Deep-Tech Defence Startups

Kanpur, February 3, 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) welcomed Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM, for a significant visit that highlighted the growing synergy between India’s armed forces, academic research institutions, and deep-tech startups. The visit focused on strengthening collaboration in defence innovation, indigenous technology development, and strategic research initiatives critical to national security.

Admiral Tripathi’s visit underscored the rising importance of academia-driven innovation ecosystems in supporting India’s long-term defence capabilities and technological self-reliance. He was received by senior leadership at the institute, including Prof. Braj Bhushan, Deputy Director of IIT Kanpur; Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean of Research & Development; Air Marshal Philip Thomas; and Prof. Deepu Philip, Professor In-Charge (Incubation & Innovation) at the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC).

Welcoming the Chief of the Naval Staff, Prof. Braj Bhushan described the visit as a milestone moment for the institution. He emphasized that IIT Kanpur has increasingly become a hub for cutting-edge research and startup innovation, particularly in sectors that intersect with national security and strategic technologies.

“It is a privilege for IIT Kanpur to host Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi and showcase the institute’s growing contributions to deep-tech innovation and defence-oriented research,” Prof. Bhushan said. “His visit reaffirms the importance of strong collaboration between academia, startups, and the armed forces in building indigenous, mission-critical technologies. We remain committed to advancing research, innovation, and entrepreneurship that strengthen India’s strategic and technological self-reliance.”

A central highlight of the visit was Admiral Tripathi’s tour of the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), one of India’s oldest and most active technology business incubators. He was joined there by Mr. Anurag Singh, Chief Investment Officer at SIIC, and Mr. Piyush Mishra, Chief Operating Officer and CFO, along with the leadership team guiding incubation programs.

During the session, Prof. Deepu Philip presented an overview of IIT Kanpur’s incubation and startup acceleration framework, detailing how research ideas evolve into deployable technologies. The presentation highlighted the institute’s role in nurturing startups that address real-world challenges in defence, cybersecurity, and advanced engineering.

“At SIIC, our mission is to transform bold ideas into deployable technologies that strengthen India’s strategic readiness,” Prof. Philip said. “Admiral Tripathi’s interaction with our innovators is an invaluable encouragement for startups developing solutions that can directly serve the nation’s defence ecosystem.”

To mark the occasion, SIIC curated a special showcase featuring 15 high-impact deep-tech startups working across defence and allied sectors. The startups demonstrated innovations spanning autonomous systems, cybersecurity solutions, advanced materials engineering, drone technologies, and next-generation manufacturing platforms.

Admiral Tripathi spent considerable time interacting with the founders and researchers, gaining insights into the technological advancements emerging from IIT Kanpur’s ecosystem. He appreciated the depth, originality, and national relevance of the innovations being developed, noting their potential to contribute to India’s defence preparedness.

Addressing the innovators, he encouraged them to continue pushing technological boundaries and align their work with the broader national vision.

“The spirit of innovation demonstrated here is truly inspiring,” Admiral Tripathi said. “Technologies born in institutions like IIT Kanpur are vital for shaping a secure and self-reliant future for our nation. I urge these startups to continue pushing boundaries and contribute meaningfully to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, where India stands at the forefront of global technological leadership.”

Following the startup interaction, the Naval Chief visited the C3i Hub, IIT Kanpur’s specialized cybersecurity research center. The facility focuses on securing critical infrastructure, developing cyber defence capabilities, and advancing research in digital security frameworks—areas of growing importance in modern warfare and national protection.

He was briefed on ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening cyber resilience, protecting strategic assets, and supporting the armed forces with advanced digital defence solutions. The visit reinforced the importance of cybersecurity as a key pillar in future defence strategy.

Admiral Tripathi also toured Technopark@IITK, a facility dedicated to promoting industry–academia collaboration and accelerating technology commercialization. The park plays a vital role in translating research outcomes into practical applications, enabling partnerships with industry and government organizations.

The visit highlighted IIT Kanpur’s expanding role as a critical contributor to India’s defence innovation ecosystem. It also reflected the increasing emphasis on indigenous development, strategic autonomy, and collaborative technology building between academic institutions and the armed forces.

The engagement left a strong sense of motivation among researchers, startup founders, and students. Many innovators viewed the interaction as a rare opportunity to receive direct encouragement from the leadership of the Indian Navy, reinforcing the real-world relevance of their work.

Admiral Tripathi departed the campus after completing his engagements, leaving behind renewed enthusiasm for deeper collaboration in the future. The visit is expected to open doors for stronger partnerships, joint research initiatives, and technology transfer opportunities between IIT Kanpur and defence institutions.

About SIIC IIT Kanpur
The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur is one of India’s oldest and most active technology business incubators, with over 25 years of experience in nurturing research-driven entrepreneurship. It has supported more than 500 startups, including over 100 women-led ventures, across seven key domains: MedTech, CleanTech/SocialTech/MSME, Defence, AI/ML, IoT, Cybersecurity, and FinTech.

About IIT Kanpur
Established in 1959 and recognized as an Institute of National Importance, IIT Kanpur is among India’s premier institutions for science, engineering, and interdisciplinary education. Spread across a 1,050-acre campus, the institute houses 20 academic departments, 27 centres, three interdisciplinary programmes, and three specialized schools. With more than 570 faculty members and over 9,500 students, IIT Kanpur continues to lead in innovation, research excellence, and technology-driven development.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on official information shared by IIT Kanpur and related institutional sources at the time of publication. The content is intended for informational and journalistic purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publication does not independently verify all statements, quotes, or claims. Readers are advised to refer to official communications from IIT Kanpur and the Indian Navy for complete and updated details.