ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), celebrated its 63rd Convocation at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramanium Hall of the NASC Complex, New Delhi. The event was graced by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, as the Chief Guest.
During the ceremony, the minister released different varieties of field and horticultural crops including wheat, maize, chickpea, mungbean, and mango. He also launched three key publications: the Annual Report-2024 of The Graduate School, IARI, The Graduate School Siksha Magazine, and the book “Advances in Agricultural Engineering Vol-I.” Additionally, he introduced the "Rapid Seed Viability Testing Kit," a tool designed to enhance seed quality assessment.
In his speech, Shivraj Singh Chouhan commended IARI for its role in shaping India into a global agricultural powerhouse. He highlighted the need for entrepreneurship and startups in the agriculture sector to ensure a self-reliant India. He also encouraged innovation in agricultural tools and technology, advocating for sustainable farming practices such as hydroponics and vertical farming. Stressing the importance of natural farming, he called for minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers to protect soil health and ensure long-term productivity.
The event was also attended by Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Bhagirath Chaudhary and Ram Nath Thakur, along with key ICAR officials, including Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary (DARE) and Director General of ICAR, Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director of IARI, and other distinguished faculty members.
One of the highlights of the convocation was the recognition of academic excellence. Five M.Sc. and five doctoral students received the prestigious IARI merit medals. The IARI Best Student Award (NABARD)-2024 was conferred upon Rudra Gouda, a doctoral student from the Division of Entomology, while Sneha Bharadwaj from the Division of Agronomy received the Best M.Sc. Student Award.
Additionally, the Dr. H.K. Jain Memorial Young Scientist Award for 2024 was presented to Dr. Vignesh Muthusamy from the Division of Genetics. The 28th Hooker Award for the biennium 2022-23 was given to Dr. Gyan Prakash Mishra, and the 4th NABARD Researcher of the Year 2024 award was conferred upon Dr. Grijesh Singh Mahra from the Division of Agricultural Extension. A total of 399 students, including international scholars, received postgraduate and doctoral degrees.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao highlighted the impact of IARI’s research, particularly in wheat and rice production. He noted that IARI wheat varieties cover approximately 15 million hectares and contribute around 60 million tons to India’s food reserves. The institute’s Pusa Basmati rice varieties account for 90% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings in the rice sector.
He also emphasized the role of IARI in ensuring a steady supply of high-quality seeds to farmers and its extensive extension programs that disseminate innovative agricultural practices across the country. He further stressed the importance of climate-resilient and biofortified crop varieties in addressing future agricultural challenges.
Dr. Anupama Singh, Dean and Joint Director (Education), shared insights into IARI’s academic growth. In the 2024-25 academic year, the institute admitted a total of 1,027 students, including 377 undergraduate, 313 master's, and 337 doctoral students, reinforcing its reputation as a leading agricultural education center.
A significant moment in IARI’s expansion was the virtual inauguration of the Dhansiri Residential Complex at IARI-Assam by Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director General of ICAR.
The convocation also witnessed the approval of admission procedures for foreign students at IARI and its associated hubs. In the first phase, doctoral programs will be opened to international students, followed by master's and undergraduate programs from the 2025-26 academic year.
Strengthening global collaboration, IARI has signed a Letter of Intent with Western Sydney University to initiate a Dual Degree undergraduate program. Additionally, the institute is in the final stages of establishing a Joint Degree Ph.D. program with the University of Western Australia, expanding its global academic partnerships.
The convocation concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Anupama Singh, acknowledging the contributions of all stakeholders in making the event a grand success.
