Indrashil University: Nurturing Scholars, Entrepreneurs, & Changemakers

Doctoral education in India is undergoing a remarkable shift. Once confined largely to a handful of established universities, PhD programs are now spreading to younger institutions that combine academic rigor, entrepreneurial vision, and global collaborations.

This transition is critical for India as it seeks to realize the ambitions of Atma Nirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047. For the nation to progress, PhD colleges must do more than award degrees; they must cultivate ecosystems where research translates into innovation and innovation into societal change.

One such institution leading this transformation is Indrashil University (IU), Rajpur, Kadi, Mehsana, Gujarat. Backed by the legacy of Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Indrashil University has emerged as a model of how academia, research, and industry can merge seamlessly to nurture doctoral scholars who are not just researchers but also innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.

Research at the Core

At Indrashil University, research forms the very foundation of academic life. The Centre for Research and Development (CRD) has mentored more than 50 PhD scholars, with 18 already completing their doctorates across fields such as Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Engineering, Computer Science, and Management.

Despite being less than a decade old, the university has built a record of achievement that many long-established institutions aspire to.

IU’s research footprint includes more than 500 Scopus-indexed publications, spanning journal papers, conference proceedings, book chapters, and authored books. It has filed 16 patents, one of which has been granted, while attracting over two crore rupees in funded projects, including a DST-FIST grant of ?1.5 crore and more than ?1 crore in industry consultancy projects.

Such outcomes have earned the university a three-star rating in Research and a four-star University ranking under the Gujarat  State Institutional Ranking Framework, reflecting its rapid rise as a research-intensive institution.

Despite being less than a decade old, the university has built a record of achievement that many long-established institutions aspire to

Collaborations that Empower Scholars

A defining strength of Indrashil University lies in the strategic partnerships it has built with leading research organizations. Through collaborations with CSIR laboratories, IITs, ISRO, and other premier institutes, doctoral scholars gain access to opportunities that are often beyond the reach of younger universities.

These MoUs facilitate joint research in areas such as pharmaceuticals, space technology, biotechnology, and data science, while enabling students to undertake internships, exchange programs, and collaborative projects that broaden their horizons.

The benefits of these partnerships are already evident. IU scholars have co-published with scientists from national laboratories, secured internships in elite research centres, and participated in innovation challenges supported by ISRO. This exposure not only enhances the quality of their training but also paves the way for careers in top-tier research institutions and high-technology industries.

From Research to Societal Impact

What sets Indrashil University apart is its insistence on aligning research with entrepreneurship and social development. Through initiatives such as the Atal Incubation Centre and Gujarat’s Student Start-up & Innovation Policy, doctoral scholars are encouraged to transform their research into viable start-ups. Already, Numerous PhDs.

Research Scholars have secured SSIP funding to launch entrepreneurial ventures directly connected to their doctoral work.

This culture of innovation ensures that research at IU does not remain confined to academic journals. Instead, it translates into products, services, and solutions that contribute to job creation, economic self-reliance, and social well-being. In this way, the university demonstrates its commitment to Atma Nirbhar Bharat, showing how indigenous innovation can strengthen national development.

Infrastructure that Inspires

Supporting this culture of research and innovation is an advanced scientific infrastructure. IU’s laboratories are equipped with sophisticated instruments including HPLC, GC, NMR, FTIR, ELISA readers, RT-PCR systems, high-resolution microscopes, and fluorimeters, providing scholars with facilities that rival those of national research institutes.

Beyond laboratories, the university has invested in modern classrooms, hostels, healthcare facilities, and student-focused initiatives, ensuring that PhD scholars thrive in a holistic environment that balances academic intensity with personal well-being.

Aligned with Bharat 2047

The trajectory of Indrashil University reflects India’s twin aspirations of Atma Nirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047. By encouraging indigenous innovation through start-ups, incubation, and industry-linked projects, IU strengthens India’s self-reliance. By nurturing innovators, entrepreneurs, and interdisciplinary leaders, it prepares the next generation to guide India into its centenary as a developed nation.

Its scholars have secured grants from leading agencies such as DBT, ICMR, ANRF, DRDO, ICAR, BIRAC, GSBTM, and GUJCOST, ensuring that IU’s research is globally relevant yet firmly anchored in national priorities such as healthcare, sustainability, food security, and digital transformation.

A Catalyst for Transformation

In less than a decade, Indrashil University has created what many older institutions are still striving to achieve: a thriving doctoral ecosystem that combines academic excellence, research intensity, global linkages, and entrepreneurial spirit. It has proven that research excellence is not measured only by the number of publications but by the difference those discoveries make in addressing human needs and societal challenges.

As Dr Rajiv I. Modi, President, Indrashil University emphasizes, “Excellence in research is defined by how discoveries transform society and serve humanity. With its commitment to both global outlook and national priorities, Indrashil University is not just another institution of higher learning. It is a catalyst for India’s knowledge economy, preparing scholars who will lead the nation toward the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.”