Every year on September 15, India comes together to celebrate Engineers’ Day, a tribute to one of the country’s greatest visionaries, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. Revered as the Father of Engineering in India, Sir Visvesvaraya was a civil engineer, a nation-builder, and a pioneer in water resource management, industrialization, and economic planning.
Born in 1861 in a small village in Karnataka—a state now recognized as the technology capital of India—he left behind a legacy of excellence that continues to inspire generations of engineers. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to engineering and nation-building, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1955, India’s highest civilian honor. Since 1967, his birthday has been commemorated as National Engineers’ Day, a day to reflect on the essential role engineers play in shaping the future of the nation.
Two Themes, One Vision: Driving Progress Through Engineering
In 2025, Engineers’ Day is marked by two significant themes, reflecting both national aspirations and global responsibilities.
Global Theme – World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development
The global celebration, observed on March 4, is themed:
“Unleashing the Power of Engineers to Advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”
This theme shines a spotlight on the role of engineers in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges—climate change, clean water, sustainable energy, urban development, and health infrastructure. Engineers are uniquely positioned to create practical, scalable solutions that can help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and this global theme calls on the profession to step up and lead.
India’s National Theme – Engineers’ Day 2025
India, on the other hand, has chosen a future-forward theme:
“Deep Tech & Engineering Excellence: Driving India’s Techade”
This theme emphasizes the emerging wave of deep technologies—including Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Advanced Materials, Robotics, and Semiconductors—that are redefining industry, science, and society. Unlike surface-level tech applications, deep tech is rooted in breakthrough science and long-term R&D, requiring a high level of engineering expertise and innovation.
The Techade Ahead: Engineers as Architects of Tomorrow
As India steps into what is being called its “Techade”—a decade powered by technology and innovation—engineers are not just contributors; they are the architects of transformation. Deep tech innovations are driving breakthroughs across sectors like healthcare, energy, mobility, education, and manufacturing.
Recognizing this shift, the Government of India introduced the National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) in 2024. This initiative aims to support engineers, entrepreneurs, and researchers working on next-generation technologies with funding, infrastructure, and mentorship. However, the success of deep tech depends not just on policies, but on a collaborative ecosystem where academia, industry, and government work hand-in-hand—and where engineers lead from the front.
IEI: A Pillar of India’s Engineering Ecosystem
At the heart of India’s engineering advancement is the Institution of Engineers (India)—commonly known as IEI. With a legacy of over a century, IEI has consistently promoted professional excellence, research, and innovation across various engineering disciplines.
IEI has:
- Supported innovation at grassroots through its R&D Grant-in-Aid Scheme, encouraging student-led projects.
- Been recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by the Ministry of Science & Technology.
- Played a vital role in connecting research with real-world applications, ensuring that ideas turn into impact.
This Engineers’ Day, IEI will once again organize events across all State and Local Centres, encouraging discourse, exhibitions, and awards that reflect the spirit of engineering in India.
Looking Ahead: Engineers as Changemakers
Whether it is solving global problems like clean water access, or powering national ambitions through cutting-edge technology, engineers remain at the core of every meaningful change. Engineers’ Day 2025 is not just a moment of celebration, but a call to action—for engineers to rise to today’s challenges and embrace tomorrow’s possibilities.
With the power of deep tech and the mission of sustainable development, the engineering community is uniquely positioned to lead India—and the world—into a more innovative, inclusive, and resilient future.