Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways laid the foundation stone of Indian School for Deisgn of Automobiles (INDEA) – India’s first institution dedicated to automobile design and management.
Unveiling the foundation stone of INDEA virtually, Gadkari said, “India’s automobile sector holds the key to economic growth, employment generation, and global competitiveness. As we strive towards the Prime Minister’s USD 5 trillion economy vision, our industry is evolving from being cost-driven to quality-led, anchored in smart design, robust safety, and sustainable practices.”
“The future will be shaped by strong R&D, innovation, and next-generation testing and certification. I am confident that the young talent trained at INDEA will become catalysts for change, turning knowledge into innovation, and innovation into national strength,” the minister added.
Held on the XLRI Delhi-NCR campus, the ceremony brought together a distinguished gathering of industry leaders, senior government officials, design and automotive professionals, academic stalwarts, and faculty members.
INDEA, developed under the aegis of XLRI’s Centre for Automobile Design & Management (XADM), aims to revolutionize design education in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. KS Casimir, Director, XLRI Delhi-NCR, remarked, “This ceremony marks a major leap in our vision of creating an institute that seamlessly blends design thinking, technical prowess, and industry alignment. Nitin Gadkari’s digital presence as Chief Guest is not only an honour but also a strong endorsement of the vital role that design can play in India’s mobility future.”
Echoing the sentiment, Avik Chattopadhyay said, “INDEA is designed to be more than just an educational institute—it is a movement to elevate India’s design capabilities. Guided by the vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are confident INDEA will become a key enabler in India’s journey to becoming a global design and innovation hub.”
The event also served as a platform to initiate future collaborations between academia and industry, fostering conversations around sustainable mobility, indigenous innovation, and the global positioning of Indian design talent.
