Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday attended the 18th convocation of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, urging graduates to work for the larger good of society and become drivers of Viksit Bharat@2047.
Addressing the gathering, the LG said convocation marks not just the end of an academic journey, but the beginning of thousands of new ones that contribute to nation-building. Urging them to look beyond textbook knowledge, the LG noted that young graduates are stepping into a world being rapidly reshaped by artificial intelligence and sustainable innovation.
Chief Minister Gupta said the ceremony reflects years of hard work, discipline, and dedication by students. “Today’s graduates are the real drivers of ‘Viksit Bharat’. Your talent and capability will take the country to new heights on the global stage,” she said, encouraging students to use their education not for personal growth.
Among those present were Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Vice-Chancellor Mahesh Verma, Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi, along with students, parents, faculty members, and other dignitaries. The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that education must equip students with adaptability, critical thinking, and the courage to innovate.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, he said the country needs problem-solvers to tackle complex challenges in areas such as urban development, public health, and digital governance. Drawing on the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh, he described knowledge as a powerful instrument of justice and service, and urged students to treat their education as a responsibility to society and the nation.
He expressed confidence that the future of Delhi and India is in safe hands, with young people capable of driving meaningful change. The Chief Minister also praised the university’s work in emerging fields such as AI, robotics, data science, and design innovation.
Highlighting the Atal Incubation Centre, she said the university has supported over 170 startups, helping young people move from being job seekers to job creators. Outlining the government’s priorities, she said the education budget in Delhi has risen to Rs 19,326 crore this year.
“Our aim is not just to make schools smarter, but to ensure world-class facilities in higher education as well,” she said, adding that more than 2,200 students are being provided free coaching for competitive exams such as JEE, NEET, and CLAT.
A total of 26,649 degrees were awarded at the convocation, including 22,932 undergraduate, 3,582 postgraduate, 11 MPhil, and 124 PhD degrees. Notably, women accounted for 70 per cent of PhD recipients this year. In addition, 76 gold medals and six memorial awards were presented to meritorious students.