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From NEET controversies and CBSE issues to fighting pollution, improving irrigation and helping farmers, IITs are fast becoming India’s problem-solvers beyond academia.
IIT-Delhi
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has roped in cyber security experts from Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to secure its Onmark digital assessment platform. It’s the latest example of a growing trend in India: When governments, regulators, courts and public institutions face technologically complex challenges, they increasingly turn to the IITs for answers.
The trust placed in these institutions extends far beyond engineering classrooms and research laboratories. In one of the most high-profile education controversies in recent years, the Supreme Court sought the expertise of IIT Delhi to resolve a disputed physics question in the NEET-UG exam. The court directed the institute to constitute an expert panel to determine the scientifically correct answer, underscoring the belief that the judiciary also gives importance to IITs when technical issues have significant public consequences.
Today the growing role of the IITs addresses some of India’s most pressing challenges. They are helping secure exam systems used by millions of students, studying innovative “smog-eating” surfaces to tackle Delhi’s air pollution crisis, supporting government efforts to modernize agricultural extension services, and developing scientific solutions for better irrigation and water management. Increasingly, IITs are functioning not only as centers of higher education but also as problem-solving institutions for the Indian state – providing expertise, independent assessment and technology-driven solutions in areas that directly impact governance and public welfare.
Here is a look at some of the major non-academic projects and public policy initiatives where IITs are helping governments and institutions tackle tough questions and complex challenges.
1. Securing CBSE’s OnMark Assessment Portal
The latest example comes from CBSE’s OnMark portal, the digital platform used for on-screen evaluation of answer sheets. After vulnerabilities in the system were flagged publicly, CBSE said it has deployed cyber security professionals from government agencies and IITs to identify vulnerabilities, strengthen security measures and migrate the platform to a more secure architecture. The board said the weaknesses have been addressed and a detailed review is underway. The move underlines how IIT expertise is being used not only for innovation, but also to safeguard critical public digital infrastructure.
2. IIT experts part of parliamentary panel on NEET controversy
The role of IITs is not limited to technology. The 31-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports has called the National Testing Agency, the Education Ministry and the Union Health Ministry for a meeting to discuss pen-and-paper exams versus computer-based testing (CBT). The apex Parliament panel will meet and discuss the issues faced by students related to NEET 2026 cancellation, RENET 2026 and paper leak controversy. The meetings will focus on major NEET exam updates and recent CBSE marking errors. To fix NTA NEET and CBSE issues, a four-member expert team from IIT-Madras and IIT-Kanpur is now helping the board.
Also in 2024, during the controversy over the controversial Physics question in the NEET-UG exam, the Supreme Court turned to IIT Delhi for independent scientific assessment. Following petitions challenging the National Testing Agency’s decision to award marks for multiple answers, the court directed IIT Delhi to constitute an expert panel to determine the correct answer to the controversial question. The expert opinion of the Institute became an important input in the judicial scrutiny of one of India’s most important entrance examinations.
3. Searching for ‘smog-eating’ solution in Delhi
As air pollution problems persist in the national capital, the Delhi government has partnered with IIT Madras to study whether so-called “smog-eating” surfaces can help reduce pollution levels. The project is investigating photocatalytic coatings based on materials such as titanium dioxide that could potentially break down pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds. The researchers will test these coatings on roads, buildings, glass surfaces and other urban infrastructure under real-world Delhi conditions to assess the effectiveness and durability of these coatings.
If successful, the findings could open the door to a new class of pollution-control interventions in urban India.
4. Helping farmers through project extension
Agriculture is another sector where IIT expertise is being used for public welfare. IIT Madras has partnered with the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Project VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System for Access to Agricultural Resources). The initiative aims to strengthen India’s agricultural extension system through digital tools and better information delivery.
Its main objective is to connect farmers with technologies and solutions developed by agriculture start-ups. The platform integrates information from thousands of agri-tech enterprises and aims to help farmers access services related to crop production, marketing, supply chain and government schemes.
In a country where last mile delivery of agricultural knowledge remains a challenge, this project represents an effort to bridge the gap between innovation and the farm gate.
5. IIT Roorkee and better irrigation management
Water management has become one of India’s biggest developmental challenges, especially amid climate variability and increasing demands from agriculture. To address this, IIT Roorkee is collaborating with the Jal Shakti Ministry on irrigation water management solutions aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability. The partnership focuses on scientific assessment, data-driven planning and better utilization of water resources in irrigation systems.
This collaboration reflects a broader trend in which engineering institutions are being asked to contribute to policy implementation and resource management rather than merely conducting academic research.
6. National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
Several IITs, including IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Guwahati and IIT Roorkee, have worked with the National Mission for Clean Ganga on river rejuvenation, waste water treatment technologies, water quality monitoring and basin management studies. His research and technical recommendations have supported various projects under the Namami Gange Programme.
7. COVID-19 response and health care innovation
During the COVID-19 pandemic, several IITs collaborated with government agencies to develop low-cost ventilators, diagnostic tools, contact-tracing technology and mathematical models for disease prediction. Technologies deployed or evaluated during the public health emergency included IIT Kanpur’s Nokkark ventilator and innovations from IIT Madras, IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi.
8. Disaster Management and Early Warning System
IIT Roorkee, which hosts the key academic collaboration of the National Center for Seismology, has long supported government efforts in earthquake engineering and disaster-resilient infrastructure. IIT has also contributed to flood forecasting models, landslide studies and risk assessment frameworks used by disaster management authorities.
9. Semiconductor and Electronics Manufacturing Initiative
As India focuses on building a domestic semiconductor ecosystem, IIT is working closely with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), India Semiconductor Mission and industry partners on chip design, workforce development, research and innovation. Many IITs have also been designated as major centers for semiconductor education and advanced electronics research.
Why do governments keep turning to IITs?
Their ability to bring together experts in technology, data science, environmental engineering, agriculture, public policy and management makes IITs valuable. Be it the controversial NEET questions, a weak exam portal, Delhi’s pollution crisis or the challenge of improving agricultural advisory services, governments are increasingly looking at IITs as neutral, credible and technically competent institutions that can provide evidence-based solutions.
The growing list of collaborations also signals a broader change: IITs are no longer limited to producing engineers only. They themselves are becoming problem-solving institutions for the Indian state.
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