States » SouthPosted at: Oct 14 2026 5:01PM


IIT-Madras Pravartak inks MoU with Medhastra Techsystems to accelerate indigenous Defence AI innovation

Chennai, Oct 14 (UNI) The IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, the technology innovation hub of IIT-Madras, on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Medhastra Techsystems Private Limited to promote indigenous innovation in defence artificial intelligence.
The MoU was signed at IIT-Madras in the presence of its Director Prof.V.Kamakoti and Dr. M. J. Shankar Raman, CEO, IITM Pravartak and Air Vice Marshal R. Guruhari (Retd.), Chief Advisor – Defence, Medhastra.
The partnership is part of IITM Pravartak's wider effort to build India's capability in strategic and defence technologies by connecting cutting-edge academic research with deep-tech companies that can take it to the field.
Under the MoU, IITM Pravartak and Medhastra will work together on various AI initiatives with the goal of developing indigenous, field-ready solutions for India's armed forces, according to a press release.
With this MoU, Medhastra becomes part of the IIT Madras innovation ecosystem, one of India's leading environments for research,
deep-tech start-ups and technology translation. The association will give Medhastra closer access to the Institute's research expertise
and innovation network for joint research, faculty collaboration, lab access and student engagement, strengthening its work on
sovereign defence AI.
Dr.Shankar Raman said, “IITM Pravartak is 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. By combining the Institute's research strengths with Medhastra's focus on defence applications, we aim to accelerate the journey from laboratory to deployment and support the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
Abinav Varma Kalidindi, Founder and CEO, Medhastra Techsystems, said, “Becoming part of the IIT Madras ecosystem is a proud moment for Medhastra. IIT Madras and IITM Pravartak have set the benchmark for turning Indian research into real-world impact. We are grateful to Prof. Kamakoti and Dr. Shankar Raman for their vision and for their trust in us. Together, we look forward to building sovereign defence AI that is designed, developed and made in India.”
The MoU reflects a growing push to bring academia and Indian industry together to deliver indigenous defence technologies, in line with the Government of India's vision for Aatmanirbharta in defence.
UNI GV 1655
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