Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged graduating students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi to look beyond salaries when making important career decisions and consider how their work can contribute to the country’s development.
Addressing the 57th Convocation of IIT Delhi, Modi told students that their education and skills come with a responsibility to contribute to the nation. He encouraged them to consider whether their career choices could help address India’s emerging needs and support the country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat.
PM Modi’s Message to Young Graduates
The Prime Minister encouraged students to keep national interest at the centre of their decisions as they begin their professional careers.
He said graduates should ask themselves not only what salary or position a particular opportunity offers, but also what problem they can solve and what contribution they can make to the country.
The message placed particular emphasis on using education and technical expertise to address real-world challenges.
Keep Learning Beyond Graduation
Modi also urged the graduates to continue learning even after leaving the institute.
According to the Prime Minister, rapidly changing technologies mean that completing a degree should not be considered the end of education. Students will need to continuously update their knowledge and skills to remain effective in a changing technological environment.
He encouraged them to remain curious and develop the habit of questioning established ideas rather than accepting everything without examination.
Focus on Solving ‘Out-of-Syllabus’ Problems
A major theme of the address was innovation.
Modi asked graduates to look beyond problems that are already defined in textbooks and examinations and focus on what he described as “out-of-syllabus” problems.
The idea was to encourage young engineers and researchers to identify challenges that may not yet have established solutions and develop new approaches to address them.
Technology Seen as Key to India’s Growth
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of emerging technologies in India’s future development.
Artificial intelligence, advanced technology, research and innovation are increasingly becoming central to India’s economic and strategic ambitions.
For IIT graduates, the message was that their technical capabilities can play an important role in building products, companies and solutions that address India’s large-scale challenges.
From Individual Success to National Impact
The address also placed emphasis on the difference between personal achievement and wider social impact.
While professional success and financial stability remain important considerations for graduates, Modi encouraged students to measure their careers by the problems they solve and the impact they create.
This message comes as India seeks to strengthen its technology, manufacturing, research and startup ecosystems and reduce dependence on imported technologies.
IIT Graduates Asked to Think Globally
The Prime Minister also encouraged the graduates to maintain a global outlook while remaining connected to India’s needs.
IIT Delhi graduates enter a workforce that is increasingly international, particularly in technology, finance, research and entrepreneurship.
Modi’s message was that Indian professionals can compete globally while simultaneously developing solutions that benefit India.
Research and Innovation Remain Important
IITs play a major role in India’s research and technology ecosystem, and the convocation address placed renewed emphasis on innovation and knowledge creation.
Graduates moving into research, entrepreneurship and technology development were encouraged to take risks, experiment and pursue solutions to difficult problems.
Such efforts, the Prime Minister said, can contribute to India’s ambition of becoming a developed economy and a stronger technology power.
A New Chapter for IIT Delhi Graduates
The 57th convocation marked an important transition for the graduating students as they move from academic life into professional careers, research and entrepreneurship.
For many, the next stage will involve joining technology companies, launching startups, pursuing higher education or entering research and public service.
Modi’s address encouraged them to view this transition not simply as the beginning of a career, but as an opportunity to create wider impact.
Focus on Viksit Bharat
The Prime Minister linked the role of young professionals with India’s broader Viksit Bharat vision.
He encouraged the graduates to use their education to help address national priorities and contribute to India’s development through innovation, entrepreneurship, research and technology.
The message comes at a time when India is attempting to expand its capabilities in areas including artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, defence technology and digital infrastructure.
Looking Ahead
The Prime Minister’s message to IIT Delhi’s graduating batch was centred on curiosity, continuous learning, innovation and national contribution.
As these graduates enter different sectors, their decisions will help shape India’s technology and innovation ecosystem in the coming years.
For the young engineers and researchers, the challenge now is to convert their education into practical solutions and create impact that extends beyond individual career success.
Source: Prime Minister’s address at the 57th IIT Delhi Convocation and reports published on August 8–9, 2026.
Original Report: PM Narendra Modi urged IIT Delhi graduates to keep national needs at the centre of their career decisions, continue learning and focus on solving problems beyond conventional academic boundaries.
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