The government is working on a structured initiative to prepare high-performing faculty members at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) for future leadership positions, including directorships, officials indicated.

Under the proposal, selected faculty members will undergo atwo-year leadership training programmeaimed at building a strong pipeline of academically accomplished and administratively capable leaders for India’s premier technical institutions.

IIT Bombay to Lead Leadership Training Initiative

The programme will be anchored byIIT Bombay, which has been tasked with designing and implementing the training framework. All IITs will be required to nominate faculty members with strong academic and research credentials. Officials familiar with the discussions said support from theIndian Institutes of Management (IIMs)may also be sought to strengthen the leadership and management components of the programme.

300–350 Faculty Members Likely to Be Trained

As per the proposal, around300–350 promising faculty membersacross IITs are expected to be trained. Each cohort will be mentored over a two-year period, with the programme structured aroundthree one-week modules each year. A draft outlining the programme structure and broad eligibility criteria has already been prepared, officials said.

Selection Criteria: Academic Excellence and Leadership Potential

The selection process will focus on faculty members who demonstrate:

• Strong academic and research credentials

• A student-centric approach to teaching and mentorship

• Strategic thinking and collaborative leadership abilities

The objective is to identify academics who not only excel in research and instruction but also show the potential to manage complex institutional responsibilities.

Focus on Behavioural, Functional and Domain Skills

The training curriculum will cover a blend of:

• Behavioural competencies, including leadership, communication and decision-making

• Functional competencies, such as governance and institutional management

• Domain-specific skillsrelevant to managing large academic institutions

The aim is to equip participants with both academic leadership capabilities and administrative acumen.

Why Leadership Grooming Matters for IITs

The director of an IIT serves as the chief academic and executive authority, overseeing administration, academics and discipline, while shaping the institute’s long-term vision, research priorities and student outcomes.

Currently, IIT directors are appointed through a multi-stage process involving public advertisement, evaluation by a Search-cum-Selection Committee and final approval by thePresident of India, who acts as the Visitor to the institutes. Appointments are generally made for five years or until the age of 70, whichever comes earlier.

Officials said the proposed initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need forsystematic internal leadership development, ensuring that future IIT directors are not only distinguished scholars but also well-prepared institutional leaders. If implemented, the programme could mark a significant shift from reliance on last-stage external selection to long-term leadership grooming within India’s top technical institutions.