Mumbai: Marking an unprecedented academic landmark, the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) awarded a total of 620 PhD degrees during the 2025–26 academic year, setting a record for the highest number of doctorates conferred by any IIT in a single year.
PhD Graduates Rise After Review Of Pending Research Cases
In the last five years, the number of PhD graduates fluctuated between 300 to nearly 500. The academic staff at IIT Bombay attributed the rise in PhD graduates to a review of students conducted by the department who had not kept the research on hold for over eight years. "There were nearly 100-125 students whose research was pending, the department reviewed their reasons and provided them the support to complete it in a timely manner. Whereas some did not want to proceed for other reasons so they dropped out," the professor said.
The record figures were highlighted during the institute’s 64th Convocation and Departmental Degree Award Functions (DDAF) held at its Powai campus on August 22 and 23, 2026. Across the full 2025–26 academic session—comprising both its Spring and Autumn sessions—IIT Bombay conferred 3,763 degrees upon 3,442 graduating students, including 791 women and 2,651 men. The total degree tally included 1,713 undergraduate, 1,430 postgraduate, and 620 doctoral degrees.
IIT Bombay Confers 3,763 Degrees During 2025-26 Academic Session
During the two-day autumn event alone, 3,333 degrees were distributed across academic departments to 3,042 graduating students. This seasonal cohort featured 1,663 undergraduate recipients, 1,319 postgraduate recipients, and 351 PhD scholars. A department-wise breakdown of the autumn session’s 351 doctoral graduates revealed Chemistry leading with 47 PhD conferrals, followed by Electrical Engineering with 30, Mechanical Engineering with 27, Biosciences and Bioengineering with 24, and Humanities & Social Sciences alongside Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science both recording 23 degrees.
The proceedings coincided with a Medal Distribution Ceremony presided over by Chief Guest Prof. Umesh Waghmare, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The ceremony felicitated Padma Shri Award 2026 honorees Prof. Emeritus Juzer Vasi and alumnus Shashi Shekhar Vempati. Among top student honors, the President of India Medal went to Electrical Engineering BTech student Samar Perwez, while the Institute Gold Medal was awarded to Vighnesh J. R., a Dual Degree student in Aerospace Engineering. The Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal for overall excellence was presented to Nimma Rambabu from the Department of Civil Engineering, while 50 students received the Naik and Rastogi Excellence in PhD Research Awards.
IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare congratulated the graduates and research scholars, acknowledging the critical mentorship of faculty and support from families throughout their research journeys. The institute, recently ranked 134th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, continues to expand its research footprint across its 40 academic divisions and 29 research centers.
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