“Defence isn’t just a soldier’s responsibility — it’s a scientist’s, engineer’s, and innovator’s too.” — CDS General Anil Chauhan at Techkriti 2025
In a landmark convergence of cutting-edge technology, academic brilliance, and national security, Techkriti 2025 — Asia’s largest intercollegiate technical and entrepreneurial festival — was inaugurated by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.
This year’s edition spotlighted India’s military modernization, the importance of AI-powered defence systems, and the essential role of youth in shaping the future of warfare. With the central theme “Panta Rhei” — a Greek phrase meaning “Everything Flows” — the event underscored the relentless pace of technological evolution and India’s mission to remain ahead in quantum computing, cybersecurity, and cognitive warfare.
📜 Event Theme: Panta Rhei — Everything Flows
“Panta Rhei” — a Greek phrase attributed to the philosopher Heraclitus — captures the essence of constant change and transformation. At Techkriti 2025, this theme inspired conversations around fluid adaptability in the face of global technological shifts, especially within the defence and national security domains.
This metaphor of constant motion served as the philosophical backbone of the festival, encouraging participants to view technological disruption as an opportunity rather than a challenge. It resonated with the evolving strategies of modern militaries that are embracing AI, robotics, and quantum advancements to stay ahead in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
Think of “Panta Rhei” like a river — just as water never stays still, technology and warfare are constantly evolving. The theme reminds us that nations that adapt quickly to new technologies will lead, while those that resist change will fall behind. India’s defence strategy is about staying ahead of this technological current.
👤 CDS Anil Chauhan’s Vision: AI, Quantum Tech & Future Warfare
During the inauguration, CDS General Anil Chauhan delivered a compelling keynote that emphasized the urgent need for technological supremacy in defence. He stressed that modern conflicts are now being fought not just on physical battlefields, but across cyber, cognitive, and information spaces.
General Chauhan highlighted key areas transforming the defence landscape:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Decision-making support and autonomous systems
- Quantum Computing: Secure communication through quantum encryption
- Cognitive Warfare: Psychological and information strategies to influence outcomes
His address served as both a strategic blueprint and an inspirational call to action — inviting India’s brightest youth to innovate in fields that will define India’s military future.
When CDS Chauhan says “defence is a scientist’s responsibility too,” he’s redefining patriotism for the 21st century. Your algorithms, code, and innovations can protect the nation just as effectively as a soldier’s rifle. How might your field of study contribute to national security?
| Technology Domain | Defence Application | Strategic Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence | Autonomous systems, surveillance | Faster decision-making, reduced human risk |
| Quantum Computing | Encrypted communication | Unbreakable battlefield security |
| Cognitive Warfare | Information operations | Influence outcomes without kinetic action |
| Cybersecurity | Network protection | Safeguard critical infrastructure |
⚙️ Modernizing India’s Defence: Cognitive & Cyber Technologies
In a thought-provoking Fireside Chat, General Chauhan delved deeper into the transformation of the Indian Armed Forces. With geopolitical threats evolving and cyber threats escalating, he emphasized the necessity of moving beyond traditional warfare paradigms.
India’s military modernization, he said, hinges on:
- Cognitive warfare capabilities to handle disinformation and psychological influence
- AI-driven surveillance and threat detection tools
- Quantum-resistant data security frameworks for battlefield communication
These insights provided students and participants at Techkriti with a vision of future warfare, where speed, automation, and digital dominance define victory.
Don’t confuse: Cognitive Warfare with Cyber Warfare. Cognitive warfare targets the human mind through disinformation and psychological operations. Cyber warfare targets computer systems and networks. Both are part of modern hybrid warfare but operate in different domains.
🛡️ Rakshakriti Defence Expo: Indigenous Tech Power
One of the most anticipated segments of Techkriti 2025 was the Rakshakriti Defence Expo, a dynamic showcase of India’s indigenous defence innovations. Organized under the umbrella of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, this expo spotlighted a wide array of AI-powered military systems, autonomous aerial drones, and quantum-encrypted communication tools.
Key attractions included:
- AI-driven combat simulation platforms
- Unmanned ground and aerial vehicles (UGVs & UAVs)
- Surveillance systems integrated with machine learning algorithms
- Quantum cryptographic modules for secure military communication
The expo served as a collaborative hub where startups, private tech firms, and public sector defence manufacturers demonstrated India’s growing capability to produce world-class military technology.
Rakshakriti = Defence + Innovation Expo within Techkriti 2025. It showcased indigenous (Atmanirbhar) defence tech including AI drones, UGVs, UAVs, and quantum encryption — bridging startups, academia, and defence forces.
🎓 IIT Kanpur: Military-Academia Collaboration
A standout theme of Techkriti 2025 was the deepening alliance between academia and defence forces. IIT Kanpur, a premier research institute, showcased a range of military-grade prototypes developed by its students and researchers in collaboration with Indian defence organizations.
Some highlights from the campus initiatives included:
- AI-powered surveillance drones with terrain-mapping capabilities
- Quantum cryptographic modules for secure military communication
- Sensor-driven defence analytics systems for battlefield intelligence
General Chauhan, along with senior dignitaries like Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, praised IIT Kanpur for being at the forefront of defence-focused interdisciplinary research. The institute was recognized as a critical player in transforming cutting-edge academic insight into deployable battlefield technologies.
🚀 Inspiring Youth: Innovation as National Service
Throughout Techkriti 2025, one message echoed louder than all others — India’s youth must lead the charge in defence innovation. General Chauhan’s call to action painted a vision where young minds contribute not only to entrepreneurship and startups but to national defence and strategic innovation.
He urged students to explore frontier areas like:
- AI Ethics in Warfare
- Cognitive and psychological operations
- Secure battlefield communication systems
- Simulation-based training environments
This redefining of patriotism through technology made a deep impact on the festival’s young attendees, many of whom expressed enthusiasm about building a career in defence research and innovation.
The event raises important questions about the militarization of academia and the ethics of AI in warfare. Consider: Should universities prioritize defence research? How do we balance innovation with ethical concerns about autonomous weapons? These are likely GDPI discussion points.
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Techkriti 2025 was held at IIT Kanpur. It is Asia’s largest intercollegiate technical and entrepreneurial festival.
Panta Rhei is a Greek phrase meaning “Everything Flows,” attributed to philosopher Heraclitus, symbolizing continuous change and evolution.
CDS General Anil Chauhan inaugurated Techkriti 2025 and delivered the keynote on defence innovation.
Rakshakriti is a defence expo within Techkriti 2025 that showcased indigenous military technology under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
CDS Chauhan highlighted AI, Quantum Computing, and Cognitive Warfare as the three key technologies shaping future warfare.
