In a development that underscores the accelerating convergence of heavy industry and advanced digital technologies, IIT Kanpur and NMDC signed an MoU aimed at fortifying cybersecurity and driving large-scale adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) across India’s mining sector.
IIT Kanpur & NMDC collaboration brings together deep research capability in cybersecurity and intelligent systems of IITK, and expansive operational footprint of NMDC as India’s largest iron ore producer and a flagship Navratna Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Steel.
IIT Kanpur & NMDC Partnership for the Next Phase of Digitalisation
IITK-NMDC MoU was formalised by Mr. Satyendra Rai, Executive Director (Digital Transformation), NMDC, and the Dean of Research & Development, IIT Kanpur, in the presence of Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur. Senior leadership from NMDC and the I-Hub NTIHAC Foundation (C3iHub) were also in attendance.
At the core of the IITK-NMDC partnership lies a shared objective: to strengthen cyber resilience across NMDC’s IT and operational technology (OT) environments, while simultaneously accelerating digital transformation through advanced analytics, AI-driven automation, and predictive technologies.
Key Areas of IITK-NMDC Collaboration
1. Cybersecurity and Information Security
C3iHub, IIT Kanpur’s specialized cybersecurity innovation hub, will provide NMDC with:
- Comprehensive cyber risk assessments
- Vulnerability and threat analysis
- Security governance frameworks
- Development of incident response and mitigation plans
- Evaluation and benchmarking of Security Operations Centre (SOC) models
As mining operations become increasingly automated and digitally interconnected, the importance of securing OT layers—mining equipment, logistics systems, and industrial control systems—has never been higher. This partnership directly addresses those vulnerabilities.
2. AI/ML-Driven Operational Intelligence
IIT Kanpur-NMDC collaboration will explore multiple high-impact technology deployments, including:
- AI-powered predictive maintenance to reduce equipment downtime
- Digital twin frameworks to simulate and optimise mining workflows
- Machine learning algorithms for productivity enhancement
- Data-driven decision-support systems for mining operations
These initiatives align with NMDC’s ongoing modernisation push and India’s broader efforts to digitalise core industrial sectors.
3. Joint Research, Pilots, and Capacity Building
Both institutions will jointly develop research programs, hands-on training modules, and technology pilots. Successful proofs-of-concept may be scaled across NMDC’s mines nationwide. This approach allows NMDC to de-risk its digital transformation journey while benefiting from cutting-edge academic research.
Leadership Commentary: Emphasis on Nation-Scale Impact
Commenting on the partnership, Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, stated:
“At IIT Kanpur, we have a strong research expertise in the domains of cybersecurity and AI, addressing challenges of national interest. This collaboration will not only strengthen cyber resilience across NMDC’s operations but also foster the development of transformative technologies in AI, machine learning, and smart industrial systems in mining applications.”
His remarks highlight the strategic importance of this alliance in safeguarding India’s critical mineral infrastructure and enabling technology-led productivity gains.
About IIT Kanpur
Established in 1959, IIT Kanpur is one of India’s premier science and engineering institutions. Spread across 1,055 acres, the institute hosts 20 departments, 27 centres, multiple interdisciplinary programs, and over 570 faculty members supporting more than 9,500 students. Its longstanding contributions to national research priorities, especially in cybersecurity and AI, position it as a natural collaborator for mission-critical industrial innovation.
Final Words
The IIT Kanpur–NMDC partnership is more than an academic-industrial linkage; it represents a decisive step toward building secure, intelligent, and future-ready mining infrastructure in India. As cyber threats escalate and global mining operations embrace digital technologies, such collaborations will shape the sector’s competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability in the years ahead.
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