Bharat Innovates 2026: IIT Delhi showcases AI, healthcare and defence innovations, expands global partnerships

Bharat Innovates 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) highlighted its research, innovation, entrepreneurship and international engagement at Bharat Innovates 2026, a flagship innovation initiative of the Government of India held in Nice, France.

The event brought together higher education institutions, centrally funded technical institutes, startups, investors and industry leaders from India and other countries to advance collaboration in deep technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.Bharat Innovates 2026 was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. The event served as a platform for institutions and organisations to present emerging technologies, strengthen research networks and explore opportunities for cross-border innovation partnerships.India-France academic partnership gains recognitionIIT Delhi’s international collaborations received attention during exhibition interactions led by Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron. President Macron referred to the partnership between IIT Delhi and Sorbonne University as an example of growing cooperation between India and France in higher education, research and innovation.The institute also played a leadership role as co-chair of the Incubator Innovation Bridge alongside IIT Bombay.

The platform aims to connect incubators, universities, startups, investors and research organisations. It seeks to promote incubator partnerships, startup immersion programmes, mentoring networks and technology transfer initiatives across borders.Technologies from multiple sectors on displayThe event featured 120 startups selected from 13 frontier sectors through a nationwide process, including several linked to IIT Delhi.

Researchers from the institute presented technologies and products spanning healthcare, smart textiles, defence, AI, quantum communication, energy and sustainability.According to the institute, these innovations attracted interest from technology companies, investors, policymakers and industry representatives attending the event.New agreements strengthen research and innovation ecosystemDuring Bharat Innovates 2026, IIT Delhi signed Memoranda of Understanding with Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Institut Mines-Télécom and Université Grenoble Alpes.

The Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) of IIT Delhi also entered into agreements with Descartes Développement & Innovation, Racine ds France and G2i Ventures to strengthen links between Indian and French startup ecosystems.The institute has initiated a Joint PhD and Joint Masters Programme in Biological Sciences with Sorbonne University, along with a Joint International PG Diploma in Solar Systems and Management with the International Solar Alliance.Faculty-led startup CYRAN-AI signed a strategic agreement with Safran Aircraft Engines for applications involving automated inspection and predictive maintenance in manufacturing and aero-engine maintenance operations. The startup also entered into a separate agreement with Dutch semiconductor company Innatera to develop ultra-low-power neuromorphic physical AI technologies for edge wearables and intelligent sensing applications.