Raurkela: National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela will hold its 24th Convocation on September 12.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Director Prof K. Umamaheshwar Rao, PIC Convocation Prof Sidhartha S. Jena, Dean Academics Prof Saroj Kumar Patel and Chairperson, Press & Public Relations Committee Prof Bibekanand Mallick informed that Prof Abhay Karandikar, Member, NITI Aayog, will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest, while S. N. Subrahmanyan, Chairperson, Board of Governors, NIT Rourkela, will preside over the ceremony.
A total of 2,033 graduands from various undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes will receive their degrees.
The graduating students represent a diverse range of academic programmes, including B.Arch., B.Tech., Integrated M.Sc., B.Sc. under the Integrated Multiple Entry-Exit programme, Dual Degree B.Tech. & M.Tech., M.Tech., M.Sc., MBA, MA, M.Tech. (Research), Ph.D. and Executive Ph.D.
Speaking about the grand event, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director, NIT Rourkela, said, “Convocation is a proud and meaningful occasion in the life of every student. It marks the successful completion of years of learning, commitment and perseverance, while also opening a new journey filled with possibilities and responsibilities. As our graduates move ahead from the Institute, we are confident that they will continue to embody the spirit of excellence, innovation and social responsibility that NIT Rourkela represents.
The convocation will also celebrate outstanding academic and co-curricular achievements through a range of medals and awards. A total of 86 medals and awards will be presented to meritorious students.
The 11 Institute Gold Medals include recognitions for the Best Graduate in B.Arch. and B.Tech., Best Postgraduates in various programmes, best undergraduate and postgraduate projects, Best MBA, the Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera Gold Medal for Best Undergraduate All-Rounder, and other academic distinctions.
The 6 Endowment Gold Medals include the Snigdhashri Patra Memorial Gold Medal, Dr. Banshidhar Panda Gold Medal, Professor Ramesh Chandra Behera Gold Medal, Shri Kamakshi Prasad Panda Gold Medal, Dr. Bishnu Prasad Das Gold Medal and 1970-Batch Alumni Gold Medal.
The 8 Endowment Awards recognise achievements in academics, research, sports and other areas and include the Prof. Amrit Kumar Paul Memorial Award, Saurav Ranjan Kar Memorial Award, Bunty Memorial Award, Shanta Jain Awards, Bhaswati Paul Memorial Award, Ronak Das Memorial Award, NITR Sportsperson of the Year 2025 and the NITROAA–Prof. Laxmi N. Bhuyan Undergraduate Research Award.
The 61 Institute Silver Medals comprise 14 for B.Tech., 4 for Integrated M.Sc., 4 for Dual Degree, 31 for M.Tech., 7 for M.Sc. and 1 for MA.
Speaking about NIT Rourkela’s 24th Convocation, Prof. Sidhartha S. Jena, PIC, NIT Rourkela’s 24th Convocation, said, “Convocation is one of the single most significant events for any academic institution. As entrusted with professor in charge by the institute for the 24th Convocation NIT Rourkela, my job is primarily to coordinate among several teams and provide an easy gateway for graduating students of batch 2026 to their degrees. All the graduating students of NIT Rourkela will have “Digi locker facility” for their degrees.”
As part of the XXIV Convocation celebrations, NIT Rourkela will honour two eminent alumni with the Distinguished Alumnus Award 2026 for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Mr. Rajarshi Gupta, B.Sc. Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, 1988, and Managing Director & CEO, ONGC Videsh Limited, will be honoured for his outstanding contributions towards strengthening India’s global energy security through strategic international investments and acquisitions.
Mr. Gyana Ranjan Mohanty, B.Sc. Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, 1980, Managing Director, Corrosion Protection Limited and Co-founder, B. Engineers & Builders Pvt. Ltd., will receive the award for his significant contributions to infrastructure development, defence manufacturing and heritage conservation, including nationally significant restoration projects.
The XXIV Convocation will bring together graduating students, their families, faculty members, alumni and distinguished guests to celebrate academic accomplishments and recognise excellence across diverse fields.
The occasion will also reaffirm NIT Rourkela’s commitment to nurturing talented professionals, researchers and leaders who contribute meaningfully to the nation and society.
