IIT Madras is preparing to open its gates to thousands of visitors from 2 to 4 January 2026 for its annual Institute Open House, an event designed to bring young minds, educators, families and technology enthusiasts closer to real-world research and innovation. With more than 95,000 registrations expected, the three-day outreach programme represents one of India’s largest campus-based exhibitions of science, engineering and student-led innovation.
The event at IIT Madras will be open to school and college students, teachers, researchers, industry professionals and anyone curious about how technology shapes the future. Registration remains open until 5 December 2025.
A Campus Opening Its Doors to Everyone
The Open House is part of the institute’s idea of “anaivarukkum IITM” which means IIT Madras for all. The leadership says the event is grounded in the belief that top-tier scientific institutions should be accessible to every child, regardless of their background or geography.
Director Professor V Kamakoti at IIT Madras described the event as a moment of inclusivity and inspiration. He said the past two years alone have seen nearly one lakh students walk through the campus, many of whom had never visited an IIT before. By inviting schoolchildren, including those from rural regions, he hopes the event will spark ambition and confidence in young learners.
The 2025 edition of the Open House drew visitors from more than 550 schools, including around 130 from rural districts. Students came from 250 cities across India, proving that the initiative has already built nationwide reach.
What Visitors Will Experience Over Three Days at IIT Madras
Across the campus of IIT Madras, visitors will find more than 80 exhibition stalls displaying student prototypes, applied engineering projects, research models and interactive demos. From autonomous vehicles to energy-efficient technologies, the exhibitions aim to showcase ideas that blend creativity with problem-solving.
In addition to the stalls, participants will have access to more than 100 functioning laboratories. These include four National Research Centres, eleven Institute Research Centres and fifteen Centres of Excellence. Each lab offers a hands-on understanding of how theoretical science is transformed into impactful innovation.
Faculty members and student volunteers will be stationed across the labs to demonstrate experiments, guide visitors and share the stories behind ongoing research. For many young students, this is one of the rare opportunities to step into labs typically accessible only to engineering and research scholars.
Learning Through Exploration
For school and college students who dream of pursuing science and technology, the Open House serves as an entry point to the world of advanced research. The organisers emphasise that the goal is not simply to display projects, but to create an environment where questions are welcomed and curiosity is encouraged.
The event at IIT Madras is designed to help students understand how different engineering departments contribute to solving real problems. For example, a visitor might observe a chemical engineering experiment on wastewater treatment, followed by an aerospace demonstration on wind tunnel testing. This variety allows young learners to see both the depth and breadth of engineering possibilities.
Parents and teachers, too, will gain insights into how an IIT education functions beyond textbooks. The labs highlight interdisciplinary thinking, collaborative problem-solving and the creative mindset that students develop before graduating into industry or academia.
A Community Effort Behind the Scenes
The Open House at IIT Madras is supported by an enormous student and staff volunteer network. Last year’s edition saw over 200 volunteers contributing more than 4,000 hours to logistics, crowd management and outreach. Their work helps transform the campus into a welcoming space where every visitor feels guided and informed.
According to Professor Sathyanarayana N. Gummadi, Dean (Students), the event offers a rare chance for the public to witness IIT Madras’s innovation culture. He said that for many first-time visitors, the experience can be life-changing, sparking new academic goals or career interests.
Professor Murugaiyan Amirthalingam, Advisor – Co Curricular, added that this is also an opportunity for parents to understand the value of IIT education, its emphasis on societal problem-solving and the discipline that comes with being part of a premier institution.
Why This Event Matters for India’s Scientific Future
The Open House at IIT Madras is not just a campus walk-through. It is an attempt to create a bridge between India’s top research institution and the wider community.
For schoolchildren from rural and under-resourced backgrounds, such events can reshape academic aspirations. Many students who attended earlier editions went on to pursue engineering, science, design and entrepreneurship because they saw these worlds up close.
For industry participants, the event is an opportunity to explore emerging ideas, engage with student teams and understand how academic research could support real-world challenges.
For educators and researchers, it serves as a platform to initiate collaborations, exchange knowledge and stay updated about new technological trends.
Above all, the Open House is a reminder that innovation does not reside behind closed gates. By opening its labs, the institute is building a culture where technology, research and scientific curiosity become part of everyday public dialogue.
In Association with Shaastra 2026
This year’s Open House will be held alongside Shaastra 2026, the institute’s annual technical festival. The integration allows visitors to observe how campus research culture flows into competitive events, workshops, technical contests and student entrepreneurship.
Together, the two events create one of the country’s most immersive experiences of science, discovery and innovation.
Also Read: https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/featurephilia/story/jee-main-toppers-with-100-percentile-share-their-winning-exam-strategy-2825116-2025-11-24
https://thenewstudent.com/us-international-enrollment-drop-2025/