Paperman Media | Raurkela
National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) celebrated its 24th Convocation with a graduating class of 2033 students (508 female & 1525 male) today, 12th September 2026. Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Member, NITI Aayog, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, and Prof. Bidyadhar Subudhi, Director, NIT Warangal, attended the ceremony as the Guest of Honour. Shri S. N. Subrahmanyan, Chairperson, Board of Governors, NIT Rourkela, addressed the gathering, and Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director, NIT Rourkela, presented the Director’s report.
Delivering the Convocation address, Chief Guest Prof. Abhay Karandikar said, “India stands at a defining moment in its journey towards becoming a developed nation, and you are the generation that will shape this future. Embrace AI and emerging technologies, but never lose sight of the fundamentals of science and engineering, or the human qualities of curiosity, creativity, critical thinking and ethical judgment. Let your knowledge serve a purpose larger than yourself. Keep learning, innovate responsibly, and use your knowledge to solve real human problems and create meaningful social impact. A successful career is important, but a meaningful life is even more important. Go forward with purpose, serve with humility, and let your achievements make a difference.”
Congratulating the students, Prof. Bidyadhar Subudhi, Guest of Honor, NIT Rourkela’s 24th Convocation, said, “Choose excellence over convenience, integrity over short-term success, lifelong learning over complacency, collaboration over isolation, and purpose over prestige. Your medal or degree recognises your past performance, but tomorrow, your character will be the true measure of your success. Use your achievements not as a pedestal to stand above others, but as a platform from which you can help others move forward. The lasting legacy of your work will be measured not by your titles or positions, but by the impact you create and the lives you touch.”
To honour academic excellence, the Institute awarded 11 Institute Gold Medals, 06 Endowment Gold Medals, 08 Endowment Awards, to 61 Institute Silver Medals to the graduating batch of the year 2026.
