The Darshak is the newsletter of the IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF), dedicated to advancing Positioning and Precision Technologies (PPTs) such as remote sensing, GIS, GNSS and other non-invasive technologies. These technologies are crucial for analyzing and managing spatial and temporal data, aiding decision-making in sectors like agriculture, natural resource management, and disaster management. The hub also explores new frontiers in indoor positioning, timing and underwater navigation technologies.

This newsletter covers our activities for February & March 2025. We will issue another newsletter for April 2025, thereafter, we hope to release The Darshak every quarter.

IITTNiF fosters innovation through a comprehensive technology lifecycle approach encompassing Knowledge, Development, Translation, and Commercialization. By aligning with initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, the TIH aims to enhance self-reliance in PPTs and contribute to the national startup ecosystem.

The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) under the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, leverages CPS technologies through 25 TIHs across India, each focused on a specific technology vertical.

Incorporated in December 2020, as a Section 8 company under IIT Tirupati, this Hub is fortunate to be located within the impressive IIT Tirupati campus and enjoys full support from IIT Tirupati, including guidance and leadership from the Director of IIT Tirupati and the Hub Governing Body. The leadership team also includes the Project Director, Dr. Roshan K Srivastav, Associate Professor at IIT Tirupati, and the CEO, Major General M. Rajendran (Retd.), who leads a vibrant and energetic team called Team Navavishkar.

The Board of Directors at IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF) includes distinguished individuals such as Prof. K. N. Satyanarayana, the Director of IIT Tirupati; Dr. E. Anil Kumar, the Dean SRC at IIT Tirupati; Dr. Ajit T. Kalghatgi, a Non-Executive Director at Antrix Corporation Limited; Maj. Gen. Dr. R. Siva Kumar (Retd.), the Director Emeritus at Open Geospatial Consortium; Dr. Y. V. N. Krishna Murthy, an Academic Representative from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology; and Dr. Roshan K. Srivastav, Associate Professor at IIT Tirupati in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. These experts collectively drive the foundations mission of innovation and growth in the PPT sector.

Mr. Varadrajan Krishna Iyer, is our Senior Advisor, Innovation & Entrepreneurship. He is a Corporate Executive turned global serial tech entrepreneur with multiple exits and currently involved actively in the startups ecosystem.

IITTNiF leverages public-private partnerships to foster innovation and support sustainable growth through advanced technologies under the verticals of Technology Development, Startups and Entrepreneurship, Human Resource and Skill Development, and Collaborations.

In this Edition

Technology Development Projects

As part of the 3rd and 4th edition Calls for Proposals under the Technology Development Program, IITTNiF has successfully disbursed funds to all the selected institutes. In the 3rd edition, IITTNiF conducted project reviews and released the second phase of funding to the respective institutes on their satisfactory achievement in the milestones mentioned. For the 4th edition, the first phase of funding has been released for all 20 finalized projects.

In addition to external project support, the IITTNiF internal R&D team is actively engaged in several in-house technology and product development initiatives, which include:

CV Translational R&D Lab

Under the CV Lab, headed by Dr. Venkat, General Manager and Tech Lead in Computer Vision, various computer vision-based translational research initiatives are being undertaken. One unique project emerging from the lab is VISIONPARK, a dedicated CV-based parking management system designed for real-time vehicle parking analysis. This system continuously captures data and monitors it through an interactive dashboard, enabling seamless parking and ensuring a traffic-free environment. The lab is equipped with high-level image-capturing equipment and high-end processing systems, facilitating advanced research and development in computer vision applications.

Tentative Dashboard based on the Detection of Parked Vehicles in the parking zone

LiDAR Lab Inaugurated by Secretary DST and Mission Director, NMICPS,DST on 17th March 2025 at IITTNiF

LiDAR Translational R&D lab

The LiDAR Translational R&D Lab at TiH, curated by Dr. Angel, Visiting Professor - Karunya University, Tamilnadu, focuses on two key projects: Navavishkar Navigation with LiDAR and LiDAR AOM (Acousto-Optic Modulators). Navavishkar Navigation aims to enable precise indoor navigation for autonomous devices through phases like self-positioning, simultaneous localization, and SLAM to develop Navavishkar Navigation Enabled Buildings (NNEB). The LiDAR AOM project integrates AOMs with LiDAR systems to enhance performance, miniaturize systems, and achieve range resolutions greater than 1 cm using specific laser pulses. The lab collaborates with teams from IISc Bangalore (Dr. Varun Ragunathan, Applied Photonics Lab)  and IIT Madras (Prof. Rajakumar Balla) for these advancements. Their work was inaugurated on March 17 by Secretary DST, Prof. Abhay Kharidikar, alongside Dr. Ekta Kapoor. These initiatives promise significant technological breakthroughs in navigation and LiDAR applications.

Position and Precision AI/ML Lab

The Position and Precision AI/ML Lab is set to become the backbone of all other labs, providing advanced computational capabilities to drive research and innovation across domains. Led by Ms. Gargi Sharma, M.Tech, the lab will leverage cutting-edge AI models and machine learning frameworks to support data-driven decision-making, predictive analytics, and automation in projects spanning GNSS, Remote Sensing, Spatial UI/UX, and LiDAR applications. The lab is going to be equipped with high-performance GPU clusters and scalable cloud-based AI infrastructure, enabling seamless execution of computationally intensive tasks, including deep learning model training, real-time data processing, and computer vision applications. Through strategic collaborations and in-house AI-driven solutions, the lab aims to push the boundaries of technological advancements and enable translational research with real-world impact

Special Initiatives at TIH

During the recent visit of DST Secretary, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, to our Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Tirupati, several state-of-the-art laboratories and Centres of Excellence were inaugurated. These include the GDI Federated Node, the PNT Laboratory in collaboration with Safran, the Centre of Competence in Geospatial Innovations in partnership with ESRI, and the Geo-Spatial Intelligence and Applications Laboratory.

Various Centers inaugurated at TIH by DST Secretary

Under the Geospatial-Intelligence and Applications Laboratory, a special project initiative called Digital Twin Academia Network (DTAN) has been launched. A platform for real-time survey and capturing of outdoor data of academic campuses across the country some of the universities such as IIT Tirupati, GGU and other universities interested in getting into the network. The data can be leveraged for geospatial data processing and analysis. The vision also includes surveying indoor and building the complete digital twin of the academic campuses and taking it to the government.

The Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Laboratory, established in collaboration with Safran, aims to offer specialized skill development programs under Safrans Minerva Program. Leveraging Skydel software, a range of GNSS/NavIC courses and training programs have been designed to enhance expertise in satellite-based navigation technologies.

Startups & Entrepreneurship

DISCOVER / SARATHI and SMART GIS  Challenge: Under the DISCOVER/SARATHI and SMART GIS Challenge initiatives, IITTNIF has successfully disbursed funds to a total of 10 startups that were selected under these programs. A total amount of �2.15 crore has been successfully disbursed to these startups. The funded startups are:

• Garudalytics Private Limited
• R2E Technologies Pvt Ltd
• Rootskart Agritech Pvt Ltd
• SpaceInf Technologies Private Limited
• Thazhal geospatial Analytics private limited
• Geoinfy Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
• SparkyAI Private Limited
• GIS Kernel Technologies Pvt Ltd
• Bhoomicam Private Limited
• AgroCast Analytics Pvt Ltd

VIKAS Progress: In this quarter, IITTNIF successfully onboarded a total of 17 startups under its unique initiative, VIKAS. These startups are working across various sectors, including, Healthcare, Marine, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Education, Defence, Public Services and Geospatial. The onboarded startups as listed as follows.

Human Resource Development

Successful launch of the integrated Postdoctoral Fellowship and Onboard

IITTNIF successfully launched the Integrated CHANAKYA Postdoctoral Fellowship in collaboration with several host institutes across India to enhance research and development in the PNT sector. This fellowship program supports multiple postdoctoral fellows for their research at host institutes, providing a fellowship of �80,000 per month along with HR support as per the institutes standards. Under this program, each candidate will spend six months at the host institute and six months at IITTNIF. The mandatory deliverables include at least one patent and research progress reaching at least TRL 4. Out of nine applicants, a total of six candidates have been selected under this initiative and are deputed to reputed institutions listed below. IITTNIF has successfully disbursed the required funds to each host institute and onboarded the postdoctoral fellows.

Successful launch of the IITTNIF - PNT labs and Onboard

IITTNIF has initiated and successfully onboarded 12 reputed academic institutes to establish dedicated PNT labs on their campuses, aiming to further enhance research in the PNT sector. These labs are designed to support students in completing their UG and PG projects in the PNT domain. The selection was carried out in the presence of our expert panel members, and the institutes were purely selected based on their previous PNT activities and the availability of expert faculty in the PNT sector at the respective institutes. For each lab, IITTNIF allocated �4 lakhs as funding support, and it is now in the disbursement mode. A total amount of �48 lakhs has been committed under this initiative

Skill Development Programs

Lecture at Mohan Babu University, Tirupati by Dr Venkat

Guest Lecture at Mohan Babu University, Tirupati

Dr. K. Venkata Subbareddy delivered a Guest lecture at Mohan Babu University, on 25th February 2025 covering key aspects of Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) in India, with a special focus on IITTNIF. The lecture highlighted various opportunities at IITTNIF, including, Technology development initiatives, Startup ecosystem support, Fellowship programs, National and international collaborations. As part of the technical initiative, Dr. Venkat launched a coding challenge on Optical Character Recognition (OCR) using Computer Vision. Approximately 200 students from various departments, including ECE and CSE, ranging from 2nd year to final year, actively attended the session.

Guest Lecture on GNSS Antenna Design at Vel Tech University, Chennai

Dr. K. G. Sujanth Narayan, Technical Lead for GNSS and RF Microwave Systems, delivered a talk to third-year ECE students at Vel Tech University, Chennai, as part of a two-day event. The first day focused on an interactive session with PNT domain faculty from ECE, CSE, and Civil Engineering, highlighting the various technology development initiatives, startup collaborations, HRD/SDP programs, and industry partnerships at our hub. On the second day, Dr. Sujanth conducted a session on the design of RF systems and GNSS antennas, followed by a hands-on workshop on antenna design. The event saw enthusiastic participation, with a total of 50 students actively engaging in the workshop.

GNSS Workshop at Vel Tech University, Chennai

Post Budget Webinar sessions on National Geospatial Mission

In alignment with the visionary leadership of the Honble Prime Minister, a high-level consultation was held to strategize the implementation of the National Geospatial Mission. We are proud to share that Dr. Roshan Srivastav, Project Director of TIH at IIT Tirupati, was invited to contribute to this landmark initiative. The session addressed key challenges including limited aerial survey capacity, need for data standardization, and coordination across agencies. Emphasis was laid on global best practices for ORI and DEM generation, strengthening the National Geodetic Reference Framework, expanding CORS infrastructure, and building capacity across departments to ensure the missions success.

Strategic Consultation on National Geospatial Mission  Contribution by Dr. Roshan Srivastav, IITTNiF

Discussion on TIH and its activities at TIH, IIT Dhanbad

As part of outreach and collaboration efforts, Dr. Roshan Srivastav visited Texmin, IIT Dhanbad to present the vision and ongoing initiatives of TIH at IIT Tirupati. The visit focused on exploring potential academic and research collaborations, particularly in the areas of Positioning and Precision Technologies (PPT). Discussions were held on joint activities, student engagement programs, and interdisciplinary research opportunities.

Dr. Roshan Srivastav's Visit to Texmin, IIT Dhanbad  Exploring Collaboration in Positioning and Precision Technologies

VIDHYA GIS Program at Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidhya Mandir, Assam

IITTNiF conducted the VIDHYA GIS outreach program at Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidya Mandir, Assam, with active participation from over 60 students and faculty. The session introduced the basics of GIS and its real-world applications, along with an engaging online session on satellite technology. The program aimed to spark interest in geospatial sciences and encourage young minds to explore emerging technologies.

Inspiring Young Minds: VIDHYA GIS Outreach at SSRVM, Assam

Discussion on IITTNiF and its activities at TIH, IIT Guwahati

Dr. Roshan Srivastav visited the Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Guwahati to initiate discussions on collaborative opportunities between TIH-IIT Tirupati and TIH-IIT Guwahati. The visit aimed to explore synergies in research domains, particularly in emerging technologies and innovation ecosystems. Key discussions included the exchange of ideas on joint programs, faculty and student involvement, and the possibility of co-hosting workshops and innovation challenges.

Fostering Collaboration: Dr. Roshan Srivastavs Visit to TIH-IIT Guwahati

Talk on TIH and its activities at IIT Guwahati, Assam

Dr. Roshan Srivastav delivered an insightful talk at IIT Guwahati, introducing the vision and initiatives of the TIH at IIT Tirupati. The session highlighted key focus areas such as Positioning and Precision Technologies (PPT), ongoing collaborations, startup support, and innovation-driven programs under IITTNiF. The interaction aimed to foster academic-industry synergy and encourage active participation from students and faculty in cutting-edge research and development activities.

Dr. Roshan Srivastav Presents TIH-IIT Tirupati Vision and Initiatives at IIT Guwahati

Talk on TIH and its activities at Polytechnic College, Assam

Dr. Roshan Srivastav delivered an engaging talk at Polytechnic College, Assam, introducing the objectives and initiatives of the TIH at IIT Tirupati. The session aimed to raise awareness among students and faculty about the emerging opportunities in Positioning and Precision Technologies (PPT) and the role of IITTNiF in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Discussions also covered skill development programs, academic collaborations, and the potential for student-led projects and internships. The event received enthusiastic participation and opened doors for future joint activities between the institutions.

Dr. Roshan Srivastav, Project Director of  IITTNiF, delivered a talk on TIH and its activities at Polytechnic College, Assam

Talk on TIH and its activities at MBA Students of IIM Visakhapatnam, AP.

On March 6th, 2025, Major General M. Rajendran (Retd.), CEO of IITTNiF, along with the Tech Leads, delivered an insightful online talk at IIM Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The session highlighted the mission and activities of the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) at IIT Tirupati, focusing on its contributions to technology development, research collaboration, and strategic innovation.

A key part of the discussion centered around the growing startup ecosystem nurtured by IITTNiF, its support for early-stage ventures, and opportunities for interdisciplinary engagement. The interaction offered valuable insights for students and faculty, paving the way for future collaborations in innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology leadership.

Major General M. Rajendran (Retd.), CEO, along with the Tech Leads of IITTNiF, delivered an online talk on TIH and its activities at IIM Visakhapatnam, AP.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Workshop

IITTNIF has successfully conducted an extensive SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) Workshop on 17th March 2025 for industry professionals, providing them with hands-on practical knowledge on SAR applications and processing in GIS-related tools such as ENVI and ArcGIS. A total of 15 participants attended this workshop, gaining comprehensive awareness about SAR technology, its real-world applications, and advanced processing techniques. This initiative was led by Dr. Roshan Srivastava, who played a key role in organizing the workshop and onboarding technical experts from IIT Tirupati to deliver expert insights. The workshop was a resounding success, equipping professionals with valuable skills to effectively utilize SAR data in geospatial analysis and remote sensing applications.

SAR Workshop with Mentors and Participants

Research to Market Workshop

IITTNIF successfully conducted an innovative workshop titled "Research to Market" in collaboration with Ashwatha. This workshop was primarily designed for research scholars, faculty members, early-stage startups, and industry professionals, equipping them with essential knowledge on how to commercialize their research. The three-day workshop, held from March 20-22, 2025, featured renowned experts who shared their valuable insights on transitioning research into market-ready solutions. The distinguished speakers included:

• Mr. Varadarajan Krishnan Iyer

• Lt. Gen. Dr. Anil Kapoor AVSM, VSM ( Retired)

• Dr. VSS Kiran (CEO and Founder, Garudalytics)

• Dr. Hiran Vedam

• Dr. N. Suresh

• Dr. Bharat Lohani (IIT Kanpur)

• Dr. Sanjay Sinha (RTGS, AP)

• Dr. Madhusudhan (Founder, Ambee)

The workshop was a huge success, empowering participants with practical strategies and industry perspectives on bridging the gap between research and commercialization.

Research to Market Workshop with Experts, panel members and Participants

Collaborations

Sri Venkateswara University (SVU), Tirupati, AP Faculty visit to TIH

On their visit to the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) at IIT Tirupati, faculty members from Sri Venkateswara University (SVU), Tirupati explored avenues for academic and research collaboration. Major General M. Rajendran (Retd.), CEO of IITTNiF, welcomed the team and provided a detailed overview of the hubs vision, ongoing innovation programs, startup initiatives, and collaborative opportunities. The interaction opened up discussions on potential partnerships in research, technology development, and outreach efforts, fostering stronger ties between the two institutions.

Major General M. Rajendran (Retd.) Briefing SVU Faculty on TIH Initiatives

Elena Geo Systems Visit

As part of the ongoing collaboration with Elena Geo Systems, Dr. Venkat and Dr. Sujanth visited the Elena Geo Systems office in Bengaluru. They were hosted by Mr. Jakaria and Mr. Naveen, and a detailed technical discussion was held to explore further collaboration opportunities in co-developing technology and products. The discussions also focused on acquiring government and private projects in the GNSS sector, with an emphasis on novel designs in antennas and RF front-end systems, particularly for NavIC-based applications. In addition, they discussed the possibility of launching a skill development program on NavIC for students and researchers. The idea of setting up a dedicated testbed at IITTNIF for NavIC-related experimentation was also explored as part of the collaborative roadmap.

IITTIF Team Visit to Elena Geo Systems

TIH Stall presentation at IIT Tirupati - Tirutsava Techno-Cultural Fest

TIH Stall presentation at Tirutsava 2025

IITTNiF set up an interactive stall during Tirutsava 2025, the annual Techno-Cultural Fest of IIT Tirupati, held from February 23rd to 25th, 2025. The stall showcased the ongoing research projects, innovation programs, startup ecosystem, and outreach initiatives of the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH). Visitors, including students, faculty, and external participants, engaged with live demos, project displays, and informative sessions, creating awareness about the hubs impactful work in technology and innovation.

Photonics Lab Development & Collaboration Initiatives at IITTNiF

Advancing Photonics Research: Insights from IISc Lab Visit & Strategic Planning

IITTNiF is actively progressing towards the establishment of a Photonics Laboratory at the Technology Innovation Hub (TiH) with key strategic initiatives. A detailed scientific discussion is scheduled online next week to refine the lab requirements and ensure an optimal setup. To foster industry partnerships, various business collaboration models were explored to identify the most effective engagement strategies. Discussions were also held regarding potential resource personnel and postdoctoral candidates, with Dr. Varun offering references from his professional network. The importance of establishing vendor connections for the procurement of essential equipment and materials was emphasized. Additionally, the team recently visited the Photonics Lab at IISc, gaining valuable insights that will contribute to the planning and execution of the lab setup. Reference photographs from the visit have been shared for further assessment. These efforts mark a significant step in advancing cutting-edge research and innovation in Photonics at IITTNiF.

The TIH Team visited the IIT Kharagpur Research Park

Visited the IIT Kharagpur Research Park to explore opportunities and gather insights for enhancing IITTNiF activities. The visit included a thorough tour of the entire facility, providing a comprehensive understanding of its infrastructure and operations. Key areas visited were the academic laboratories, which showcased collaborative spaces conducive to innovation. Additionally, the guest house facilities were reviewed, offering insights into the accommodation setup for visiting faculty, researchers, and collaborators. The visit was valuable in understanding best practices in managing research infrastructure, fostering academic-industry linkages, and supporting innovation-driven initiatives.

TIH Team visited the IIT Kharagpur Research Park

The TIH Team visited the IIEST, Shibpur to meet Prof . Khanindra Pathak, Senior Professor at IIT Kharagpur

Discussion with Prof. Khanindra Pathak at IIT Kharagpur on Collaborative Skill Development Initiatives

Visited Prof. Khanindra Pathak, a senior professor at IIT Kharagpur, to discuss potential collaborations on skill development programs (SDP) targeted at schools and colleges. The meeting focused on designing impactful training modules and outreach strategies to enhance technical and geospatial awareness among students. Discussions also included the possibility of organizing joint workshops and collaborative activities under the IITTNiF framework.

Operation Dronagiri

Operation Dronagiri Kick-Off Meeting, Vizianagaram, AP

The Operation Dronagiri Kick-Off Meeting was successfully held in Vizianagaram, marking a significant step in leveraging geospatial technology for Agriculture, Transportation & Infrastructure, and Livelihoods & Skilling. Led by Shri Srikant Sastri, Chairman of the Geospatial Data Promotion and Development Council (GDPDC), the event received strong support from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, District Collector of Vizianagaram, Shri Sethu Madhavan, Joint Collector, district administration officials, state-level departments, the DST-Geospatial Innovation Cell (DST-GIC), the Survey of India (SOI), corporate partners, and the GDPDC Secretariat. The meeting fostered collaboration among key stakeholders, paving the way for impactful geospatial solutions in various sectors.

A total of eight corporate partners participated in the meeting, each bringing their own real-world use cases that they aim to pilot within the district. These use cases span digital agriculture advisories, real-time monitoring platforms, smart governance tools, geospatial AI services, and infrastructure mapping solutions. Their involvement is expected to directly enhance local governance, service delivery, and sectoral development through impactful, scalable geospatial innovations.

Operation Dronagiri Kick-Off Meeting, Vizianagaram, AP

Operation Dronagiri Startup Challenge  Results Announcement

Operation Dronagiri was launched on November 13, 2024, under the National Geospatial Policy 2022 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. As part of this initiative, the Operation Dronagiri Startup Challenge was introduced to identify and support innovative geospatial startups working across key sectors such as agriculture, transportation, and skilling & livelihoods. The results of the challenge were officially announced on March 17, 2025, during the visit of the DST delegation to IIT Tirupati. The announcement was made by DST Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Mission Director Dr. Ekta Kapoor, and Mr. Srikant Sastri, Chairman of the Geospatial Data Promotion and Development Committee (GDPDC).

The challenge, conducted between November and December 2024, received an overwhelming response with 838 applications from across the country. A high-level Apex Committee, comprising renowned chairpersons, industry experts, and knowledge partners, conducted a rigorous evaluation process. Based on their assessment, 25 startups were selected for funding19 growth-stage startups will receive �10 lakhs each, and 6 mature-stage startups will receive up to �50 lakhs each as a grant. Of the selected startups, 15 are focused on agriculture, and 5 each are working in transportation and skilling. These startups demonstrated strong potential to deliver scalable and impactful geospatial solutions that can drive innovation and support long-term national development goals.

Startup Challenges results announcement of Operation Dronagiri

Operation Dronagiri Updates

Following the announcement of the selected startups, the next phase involves a structured due diligence process, which is currently underway. This is a critical step to validate the credentials, capabilities, and proposed use cases of the shortlisted startups. Upon successful completion, these startups will enter a 24-week Acceleration Program, designed to fast-track their growth and impact. The program will be centrally managed by the Nodal Geospatial Innovation Accelerator (GIA) and will provide tailored mentorship, technical guidance, access to datasets, and industry networking opportunities. The culmination of this journey will be marked by a Demo Day, where the startups will showcase their solutions to policymakers, investors, industry stakeholders, and the geospatial community at large. This acceleration phase is a key driver in transforming innovative ideas into scalable, real-world solutions aligned with the objectives of Operation Dronagiri.

Events/Programs

DST Secretary Showcase Event at IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF)  March 17, 2025

Inauguration of PNT Labs

Presentations on R&D Innovations

IITTNiF is set to host a high-profile Demo Day & Showcase Event on Translational R&D and Technology Products on March 17, 2025, in the esteemed presence of Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, along with key dignitaries from the Department of Science & Technology (DST) and industry leaders.

The event will feature:
=9 Presentations on R&D Innovations  Cutting-edge technologies from PPT Labs, PPT Startups, and Operation                     Dronogiri will be showcased.
=9 Hub Activities & Progress  An overview of key initiatives, research collaborations, funding insights, and future                 roadmap.
=9 Inauguration of PNT Computational Lab (SAFRAN), Center for Competence (ESRI), and LiDAR/Photonics Lab.
=9 Showcase of Startups & Key Technologies  Live demonstrations of pioneering solutions developed under IITTNiF.
=9 Faculty & DST Leadership Interaction  A discussion platform for IIT Tirupati and IISER faculty to engage with DST

       officials and experts.
=9 Result Announcements and recognition of outstanding contributions.

The event will bring together visionaries and innovators, reinforcing IITTNiFs commitment to fostering translational research and industry collaborations.

We are happy to announce

Technology Development Projects

IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF) is actively planning to undertake in-house technology and product development in its core focus areas, namely GNSS, GIS, CV, and LiDAR. The internal R&D team has committed to working rigorously on several flagship products in different Technology Development Cells (TDC), including:

• Conformal Antenna Design under the GNSS-TDC

• VISIONPARK, a smart parking solution, under the CV-TDC

• LiDAR Photonics and Beam Steering under the LiDAR-TDC

All these projects are currently in progress and are being executed successfully, moving steadily toward their targeted completion.

Human Resource Development

After the successful disbursement of funds for the establishment of PNT Labs at 12 selected institutes across India,IITTNiF is planning to launch a Grand STAR-PNT Summer Internship Program. This program is set to be launched in the third week of April and is aimed at engaging 240 students, with 20 students for each institute. The selection has been planned based on students' technical and coding skills. The selection process involved coding challenges organized by IITTNiF in four key domains: GNSS, Remote Sensing, Computer Vision & AI/ML, and Embedded Systems & IoT. This internship aims to provide hands-on experience in real-world projects under the STAR-PNT initiative and further strengthen talent in the Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) sector.

HGB Member's Note

Lt. Gen Dr Anil Kapoor, AVSM, VSM (Retired)

At IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF), we stand at the cusp of a technological revolution. As a Board Member, I am excited to share that with the launch of Bharat PNT on 04 April 2025, we are activating a bold national movement in Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT)the foundation of digital sovereignty and next-gen innovation.

Our triad of Position (accuracy in geospatial data), Navigation (dynamic tracking in 3D), and Timing (atomic-level clock precision) is core to Bharat Resilient and Assured PNT, a pivotal driver of the Viksit Bharat Vision.

IITTNiF is not just building technologywere building momentum. Our focus is translational research, indigenous development, and industry-ready innovation. We are charting SMART (Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Timely) milestones to power breakthroughs in quantum navigation, AI at the edge and high-precision capturing devices - LiDAR, Radar optical electronics et al.

Were proud to launch a world-class NAVIC and Geospatial Information Systems Research Laba collaborative R&D ecosystem that welcomes startups, scientists, academia, and industry to join forces across the entire technology lifecycle, from TRL 1 to 9.

With Operation Dronagiri evolving into Dronagiri 2.0, we are now laying the foundation for Indias Integrated Geospatial Information Development Program.

If you have the drive, we have the ecosystem. Whether you're an entrepreneur with a disruptive idea, a researcher with a prototype, or a technologist seeking purposewe invite you to be part of this journey.

The gates are open. The opportunity is real. The future lies locked in  precision positioning! Lets unlock & build it together.

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Lt Gen Dr Anil Kapoor AVSM, VSM Retired
Board Member, IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF) 

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