IIT Hyderabad Partners with Indian Army's SDD to Launch 'VIGRAHA' Centre of Excellence.
National
On August 30, 2025, the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) entered into a strategic collaboration with the Indian Army's Simulator Development Division (SDD) to establish the Centre of Excellence (CoE) named 'VIGRAHA'—an acronym for Virtual, Intelligent, Ground-breaking Research in AR/VR & High-tech Applications.
- This initiative aims to advance research in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, drones, and unmanned systems, thereby fostering innovation in defense technologies.
- The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of IITH Director Prof. B.S. Murty and senior officials from SDD, including Brigadier A.K. Chaturvedi, Colonel Hari Om Ahlawat, and Lieutenant Colonel Anupam Porwal. Leading the initiative at IITH are Prof. G. Narahari Sastry and Dr. Shiva Ji, who will serve as the principal investigators for the CoE.
Main Point :- (i) The establishment of 'VIGRAHA' underscores the growing synergy between academic institutions and defense agencies in India. By integrating cutting-edge technologies into defense applications, this collaboration aims to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces and contribute to the nation's self-reliance in defense technology.
(ii) 'VIGRAHA' will facilitate joint academic programs, research and development projects, training and certification in emerging technologies, internships for students, and shared access to advanced facilities. This collaborative effort is expected to produce innovative solutions that address the evolving challenges in defense and strategic sectors.
(iii) This partnership aligns with India's broader defense modernization goals and reflects a commitment to fostering innovation through academia-defense collaborations. The CoE is poised to become a hub for pioneering research and development in defense technologies, contributing significantly to the nation's defense capabilities.
About Indian Army
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS): General Upendra Dwivedi
Headquarters: New Delhi
____________________________
