Published: Thursday, August 7, 2025
IIT Madras Establishes School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Global Deep-Tech Leadership
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras has launched its pioneering School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, marking a strategic institutional evolution to strengthen India's position in the global deep-tech startup ecosystem. The school was officially inaugurated on August 4, 2025, by IIT Madras Director Professor V. Kamakoti, with Professor Prabhu Rajagopal, a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awardee from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, serving as the founding head.
Exceptional Foundation and Track Record
IIT Madras enters this venture with an impressive entrepreneurial foundation, currently hosting India's largest deep-tech startup ecosystem. The institute has successfully incubated over 475 startups with a collective valuation exceeding ₹50,000 crore (approximately $6 billion). These ventures have generated more than 11,000 jobs, filed over 700 patents, and attracted funding of over ₹12,000 crore.
The institute's recent achievements include maintaining a rate of 1.2 patents per day and establishing more than 100 startups in the previous financial year. The IITM Alumni Fund has secured near-complete commitments toward its ₹200 crore target specifically designated for startup investment, demonstrating strong alumni support for entrepreneurial initiatives.
Comprehensive Academic and Support Structure
The new school will offer diverse academic programs, including a Minor in Entrepreneurship, an MS in Entrepreneurship, a PhD programme, and industry-focused degrees such as an Innovation Doctorate. A unique 'Entrepreneur-in-Residence' (EIR) initiative will support returning professionals seeking to establish startups.
The school plans to create dedicated funding mechanisms for early-stage and scale-up support while running regular Intellectual Property (IP) clinics to help convert student innovations into IP-protected products. The initiative will unify various elements of IIT Madras' entrepreneurial landscape—from evangelisation and curricular support to pre-incubation and incubation—into a coherent pipeline capable of helping ideas evolve from classrooms to initial public offerings.
Integration with Existing Innovation Infrastructure
The school builds upon several established initiatives at IIT Madras, including the Centre for Innovation (CFI), one of India's largest student-run maker spaces; the Nirmaan pre-incubator, which has supported successful startups like GalaxEye Space; and forums such as Tech-Soc and the Entrepreneurship Cell. Additional support comes from the Gopalakrishnan Deshpande Centre (GDC), which trains researchers in entrepreneurial thinking, and the RuTAG Cell, focusing on rural and social innovations.
Operating under the larger umbrella of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, headed by Professor Anbarasu Manivannan, the new school will facilitate necessary academic integration and support for this ambitious initiative targeting not just Indian but global impact.
US International Student Enrollment Faces Unprecedented 40% Decline
The United States is experiencing a dramatic decline in international student enrollment, with projections indicating a 30-40% drop in new international enrollments this autumn, according to data analysis by NAFSA, an agency promoting international education. This steep decline stems from policy tightening, visa delays, and political unrest, particularly following recent administrative changes.
Policy Changes and Visa Challenges
Recent US policy directions include more stringent visa screenings, pauses in visa appointments, and even threats of deportation linked to political activism. In countries like China, visa appointment backlogs have become so severe that students are abandoning their US study plans entirely. The situation has prompted many international students to seek backup options in other countries.
Chinese student Alisa, planning to attend the University of California, Berkeley, exemplifies this trend by exploring alternative destinations "just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs." Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, observed that "the American brand has taken a massive hit, and the UK is the one that is benefiting".
Alternative Destinations Capitalise on US Decline
The United Kingdom, as the second-most popular destination for global students, is experiencing clear gains with a 2.2% rise in undergraduate applications this autumn. Notably, applications from China increased by a record 10%, while US student applications surged by 14%. Graduate admissions have also risen by 10%, particularly in business and management studies.
Hong Kong has received over 500 inquiries from US-based international students seeking transfers, with about 200 applications currently being processed. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology reports a 40% increase in international undergraduate applications this year.
Australia has moved to accommodate more international students by raising its intake cap to 295,000 in 2026. Asian education centres like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia are becoming increasingly attractive due to affordability and fewer visa challenges.
Emergence of Satellite Campus Model
Countries like the United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan are gaining traction by offering branch campuses of foreign universities. Dubai now hosts dozens of international institutions, with international student numbers growing by a third in 2024-25. Institutions like Illinois Tech and the University of Arizona have begun offering degrees in Kazakhstan, appealing to students from China and Russia.
IIM Raipur Champions Village-Led Green Economic Transformation
IIM Raipur, in partnership with the Tribal Research Institute and Chhattisgarh's Forest and Green Governance departments, hosted the 5th India Rural Colloquy focused on rural-led green development. The event, themed "Harit Arthvyavastha: Villages Leading Chhattisgarh's Green Economic Transition," emphasised the critical role villages must play in India's transition to a green economy.
Strategic Rural Development Approach
Professor Sanjeev Parashar, Director-in-Charge at IIM Raipur, emphasised connecting research with ground realities, noting that "over 60% of India's population lives in rural areas. Development has to include them." The opening session, titled "Locality Compact for Green Economy Transition," featured voices from female sarpanches, farmers, and rural entrepreneurs discussing water shortages, harmful fertiliser use, and the loss of traditional farming methods.
Principal Secretary of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Niharika Barik, emphasised local solutions, stating that "people in the villages are not just beneficiaries, they are implementers. The government must support, not control." The focus has shifted toward women-led development and local management of water, soil, and forest schemes.
Sustainable Development Integration
Dr. Rahul Bhagat, Secretary of Good Governance and Convergence, highlighted treating the green economy as a survival issue rather than optional, emphasising that "clean air, water, and soil are the basics. We must act locally to make it happen." Panel discussions explored value addition in farming, digital tools for rural use, and reviving indigenous knowledge.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma concluded the event by urging institutions to move beyond conference discussions toward field action, declaring that "villages must lead the change." The colloquy reinforced that India's green economic transition must begin with its rural communities.
CBSE Reinforces 75% Attendance Rule with Strict Implementation Guidelines
The Central Board of Secondary Education has reiterated its requirement for students to maintain at least 75% attendance to be eligible for Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations in the 2025-26 academic year. The directive, issued on August 4, aligns with Rules 13 and 14 of the CBSE Examination Bye-Laws and builds upon an earlier circular from October 9, 2024.
Standard Operating Procedures and Compliance
CBSE has released comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) outlining conditions under which students falling short of the attendance threshold can be considered for condonation. Schools must actively inform students and parents about the 75% attendance requirement at the academic session's start and throughout the year.
Valid reasons for condonation include prolonged illness, death of a parent, serious emergencies, or participation in recognised sports events. Every leave application must be supported by written documentation and relevant official certificates, such as medical or death certificates. Unauthorised absences will be treated strictly and may lead to students being marked as dummy candidates, making them ineligible for board examinations.
Record Maintenance and Inspection Protocols
Schools must maintain accurate daily attendance registers signed by class teachers and authorised personnel, making these records readily available during CBSE inspections. Poor attendance situations require schools to communicate with parents through official channels such as registered post or verified email, maintaining proper communication records.
CBSE has warned of possible surprise inspections to verify attendance records. Any manipulation or discrepancy discovered during inspections can result in student disqualification or even school disaffiliation. Schools must submit complete condonation applications to concerned CBSE Regional Offices no later than January 7, with incomplete or late submissions being rejected.
Sources
- The Indian Express. (2025, August 7). IIT Madras launches new School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to build global deep-tech start-up ecosystem. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/education/iit-madras-launches-new-school-of-innovation-and-entrepreneurship-deep-tech-start-up-ecosystem-jee-main-advanced-10175247/
- India Today. (2025, August 7). Student enrolment in US drops due to visa restrictions, UK and Asia gain ground. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/student-visa-issues-in-us-lead-to-surge-in-enrolments-in-uk-hong-kong-australia-2767637-2025-08-07
- India Today. (2025, August 6). IIM Raipur rural conference sparks push for village-led green growth in Chhattisgarh. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/iim-raipur-rural-conference-sparks-push-for-village-led-green-growth-in-chhattisgarh-2767233-2025-08-06
- India Today. (2025, August 6). CBSE reaffirms 75% attendance rule for board exams, issues SOPs. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/cbse-reaffirms-75-attendance-rule-for-board-exams-issues-sops-2767226-2025-08-06
