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IIT Kharagpur Secures Funding For AI Mining Research Centre
  • Vikram Sodhi pledged ₹15 crore to establish an AI-focused Centre of Excellence at Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur.
  • The centre will develop AI-driven solutions for mining, including exploration, mine planning, predictive maintenance, and ESG analytics using real industry data.
  • It will drive industry-academia collaboration through live projects and 'grand challenges', giving students hands-on experience in solving real-world mining problems.

A major boost to AI in education and mining technology research is on the horizon as Vikram Sodhi pledges ₹15 crore to set up a cutting-edge Centre of Excellence at Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. The newly announced Vikram Sodhi Centre is set to redefine how artificial intelligence in mining is taught, researched, and applied in India.

At a time when the country’s mining sector is sitting on massive untapped data, this initiative brings a fresh, practical approach. The centre will focus on building AI-powered mining solutions that go beyond theory, working directly with real industry datasets. From mineral exploration and mine planning to predictive maintenance and ESG analytics, the goal is to create smarter, safer, and more efficient mining systems.

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What makes this move especially exciting for students and researchers is its real-world integration. Instead of working in isolation, teams at IIT Kharagpur will collaborate with mining companies through 'grand challenges', solving actual problems using live data. This hands-on model is expected to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and give students exposure to practical applications of machine learning in geology.

Over the next five years, the centre plans to test AI solutions in active mines, publish impactful research, and even explore commercialization opportunities. This means students won’t just learn they’ll help shape the future of digital transformation in mining.

With IIT Kharagpur’s strong foundation in engineering and science, this initiative positions it as a leader in interdisciplinary AI research. If successful, it could set a new benchmark for how educational institutions contribute to solving real-world industrial challenges while preparing students for next-gen careers.

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