Union Minister Inaugurates Seven State-of-the-Art Centres of Excellence at NIT Raipur
Research to receive a major boost in artificial intelligence, space exploration, critical minerals and tribal healthcare
Chhattisgarh's young talent to gain access to world-class research and innovation facilities
Partnerships among higher education institutions, industries and research organisations to be strengthened, encouraging startups and entrepreneurship
Raipur, November 2026: Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy today inaugurated seven state-of-the-art Centres of Excellence at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur. Established in key fields such as artificial intelligence, critical minerals, space research, aerospace technology, rural and tribal healthcare, computational mechanics, nanoscience and sustainable energy, these centres are expected to play an important role in developing Chhattisgarh into a hub for scientific research, technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
Addressing the gathering, Reddy said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India was establishing a strong global presence in artificial intelligence, modern technology and innovation. Continuous efforts were being made to promote research, technological development and innovation across the country.
He said science and technology would play a decisive role in building a developed India, with the country's young talent serving as the driving force behind this transformation.
The minister observed that the world was undergoing rapid technological change. Artificial intelligence was no longer merely a technology of the future but had already emerged as a powerful tool transforming education, healthcare, industry, agriculture, administration and the economy.
In this changing environment, he said, it was essential to connect young people with emerging technologies, provide them with world-class research facilities and create an enabling ecosystem for innovation.
Reddy said a new culture of research and innovation was developing in India under the Prime Minister's leadership. The country was moving beyond being merely a user of modern technologies to playing a leading role in developing new technologies and research-based solutions. The establishment of seven Centres of Excellence at NIT Raipur was an important part of this national commitment.
Highlighting Chhattisgarh's potential, the minister said the state was endowed with abundant natural resources, rich mineral reserves and talented young people. It had immense opportunities for expanding scientific research and advanced technologies. Through coordinated efforts by the Central and state governments, work was underway to develop Chhattisgarh into a major centre for modern technology, research and innovation.
He particularly emphasised the growing importance of research in critical minerals. These minerals were becoming increasingly important for modern industries, clean energy, electric mobility and advanced technologies. Research, development of new technologies and scientific utilisation of resources in this sector would strengthen India's technological and economic self-reliance.
The minister said the newly established centres would not remain confined to functioning as research laboratories but would emerge as innovation hubs capable of turning future possibilities into reality. They would provide a common platform for students, researchers, scientists and industry representatives.
Stronger collaboration between higher education institutions and industries would encourage the development of research-based technologies, practical solutions to existing challenges and the creation of new startups.
Reddy also highlighted the importance of innovation in rural and tribal healthcare, particularly for a state like Chhattisgarh. Modern technology and research-based solutions could help extend better healthcare facilities to remote areas.
Similarly, research in space science, aerospace, nanoscience and sustainable energy would provide young people in the state with new opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities in emerging technologies.
Expressing confidence in the initiative, Reddy said the seven Centres of Excellence at NIT Raipur would accelerate Chhattisgarh's technological and industrial development in the coming years. Technologies and research-based solutions developed at these centres would contribute not only to the state's progress but also to the development of the country.
He urged students and young researchers to embrace innovation, scientific thinking and entrepreneurship and actively contribute to building a developed India.
Seven Centres of Excellence Inaugurated
The seven research centres inaugurated by Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy at NIT Raipur are:
MeitY India AI Chhattisgarh Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence
Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals
Centre of Space and Interplanetary Exploration
Centre of Excellence for Aerospace and Autonomous Technologies
Maral Centre for Innovation in Rural and Tribal Health
Centre of Excellence in Computational Mechanics
Centre for Nanoscience and Sustainable Energy Technologies
New Era of Research and Innovation in Chhattisgarh
The establishment of these seven Centres of Excellence at NIT Raipur is expected to expand the scope of technical education, scientific research and industry-oriented innovation in the state.
The centres will promote research in advanced technologies, skill development, solutions tailored to industry requirements, and opportunities for startups and entrepreneurship. They will also provide young people in Chhattisgarh with better opportunities to participate in national and international research activities.
Lok Sabha MP Brijmohan Agrawal, CSIR Director General Dr. Nallathamby Kalaiselvi, Chairperson Dr. Suresh Haware, NIT Raipur Director Dr. N.V. Ramana Rao, officials and employees of various institutions, representatives of startups, researchers and a large number of students were present at the inauguration.
