Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], October 13 (ANI): IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, the technology innovation hub of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hyderabad-based defence AI company Medhastra Techsystems Private Limited to accelerate the development of indigenous artificial intelligence solutions for India’s armed forces.
The agreement was signed at IIT Madras in the presence of IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti and IITM Pravartak CEO Dr. M. J. Shankar Raman. Air Vice Marshal R. Guruhari (Retd.), Chief Advisor–Defence at Medhastra, was also present.
Under the partnership, IITM Pravartak and Medhastra will collaborate on artificial intelligence initiatives aimed at developing indigenous, field-ready solutions for India’s defence requirements.
The association will bring Medhastra into the IIT Madras innovation ecosystem, providing opportunities for joint research, faculty collaboration, laboratory access and student engagement. The partnership is intended to connect academic research with industry expertise and accelerate the development and deployment of defence technologies.
Dr. M. J. Shankar Raman, CEO of IITM Pravartak, said the foundation was committed to nurturing indigenous technologies that strengthen India’s strategic self-reliance.
“Defence AI is an area where India must build its own capability, and we are pleased to welcome Medhastra into the IIT Madras ecosystem,” he said.
By combining the institute’s research strengths with Medhastra’s focus on defence applications, the partnership aims to accelerate the transition from laboratory research to deployment and support the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Raman added.
Abinav Varma Kalidindi, Founder and CEO of Medhastra Techsystems, described the association as a significant milestone for the company.
“Becoming part of the IIT Madras ecosystem is a proud moment for Medhastra,” he said, adding that the company looked forward to developing sovereign defence AI solutions designed, developed and manufactured in India.
The MoU reflects efforts to strengthen collaboration between academic institutions and Indian industry in developing indigenous defence technologies, in line with the government’s push for self-reliance in the defence sector.
IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation is a Section 8 company hosted by IIT Madras. It serves as the Technology Innovation Hub for Sensors, Networking, Actuators and Control Systems under the Department of Science and Technology’s National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems.
IIT Madras, established in 1959, is an Institution of Eminence known for its research, start-up ecosystem and collaborations with industry and government. (ANI)
Related reading
