Building Bharat Sampaark Innovation Boot Camp in Civil Engineering, held at IIT Gandhinagar from 17th to 19th December 2025.Designed exclusively for civil engineering students, the Boot Camp brought together participants from across the country and showcased a range of ideas addressing infrastructure-related challenges. The programme aligns civil engineering education with India’s infrastructure priorities and the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Despite India’s rapid pace of urbanisation and infrastructure expansion, civil engineering as a discipline has been witnessing a steady decline in student interest and professional recognition. Thousands of engineering colleges across the country produce large numbers of graduates each year, yet many engineers—particularly civil engineers—struggle with unemployment, low pay, and limited career progression. This growing disconnect between national infrastructure needs and the condition of civil engineering education formed the backdrop to the initiative.
Speaking at the Boot Camp, Dr. Rajaneesh Dasgupta, Trustee & Director General, Association of Infrastructure Industry (India), and National Director, Building Bharat Sampaark, explained the motivation behind the initiative. He observed that even as India continues to build cities, roads, ports, bridges, and large public infrastructure at an unprecedented scale, civil engineering departments in many institutions are shrinking, with students increasingly discouraged by low pay and limited career growth.
“Civil engineering is the oldest form of engineering. From building houses and roads to canals and cities, everything originates from this discipline. Yet somewhere along the way, the glory of civil engineering was lost,” he said.
To address this challenge, the Innovation Boot Camp in Civil Engineering was conceptualised with a focus on mindset transformation rather than conventional skill-based training. The objective, Dr. Dasgupta explained, was to prepare undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students to think beyond existing practices and develop an innovation-oriented approach.
Participant selection deliberately went beyond institutional reputation. Students from private colleges, government institutions, smaller cities, and rural regions were encouraged to apply.
As a result, participants represented a diverse cross-section of institutions from states such as Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.A significant highlight of the Boot Camp was the strong participation of women civil engineering students. Of more than 700 registrations, over 175 women students applied, reflecting an interest that often remains underrepresented due to concerns around field conditions, career longevity, and limited visibility of role models.
“I initially thought construction and civil engineering would be male-dominated and intimidating, but participating in this Boot Camp gave me the confidence to explore opportunities in the field. It was inspiring to see women leading innovation and to engage with mentors who encouraged us to think beyond traditional boundaries,” said one of the women participants, Nivediya from TKM College of Engineering, Kerala.
“Being part of this Boot Camp helped me realise that civil engineering is full of possibilities, regardless of gender. The experience encouraged me to experiment with ideas, collaborate with peers, and see how innovation can truly shape the future of infrastructure,” said another participant, Sandra Raman.
Dr. Dasgupta noted that many women students question choosing civil engineering due to prevailing perceptions. The Boot Camp addressed this by connecting them with industry leaders and successful women engineers, boosting confidence and showcasing civil engineering as a viable and impactful career path.Unlike conventional short-duration hackathons, the Boot Camp followed a structured and preparatory model. Students were provided problem statements in advance and encouraged to develop solutions grounded in real-world civil engineering challenges.Out of 143 submitted ideas, around 40 were shortlisted and presented across five thematic areas. Importantly, the initiative did not conclude with presentations alone. Selected ideas are expected to receive further mentoring through an innovation incubation framework, with support from industry experts to help students refine and potentially implement their solutions.
“Our aim was not just to distribute prizes or make job promises,” Dr. Dasgupta explained. “It was to expose students to the real ecosystem, understand how they think, mentor them, and help them move forward.”
The Boot Camp featured sessions led by professionals from leading infrastructure organisations, including JSW Group, Tata Projects, and major consulting firms. These interactions focused on employability, industry expectations, and emerging trends shaping the civil engineering sector.Professor Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar, highlighted the broader significance of such initiatives, stating, “Civil engineering sits at the core of nation-building, and innovation is essential for addressing the complex infrastructure challenges of the future. This Boot Camp gives students an opportunity to understand the depth of these challenges and encourages them to create solutions that are practical, scalable, and impactful.
Platforms like this are crucial for shaping India’s future engineering leaders.”Reflecting its long-term mission, the initiative announced plans to host upcoming editions of the Building Bharat Sampaark Innovation Boot Camp in Civil Engineering in North & South India, ensuring broader inclusivity and nationwide talent participation.
Professor Pranab Kumar Mohapatra, IIT Gandhinagar, echoed this view, noting, “This initiative encourages students to think creatively and recognise innovation as an integral part of civil engineering practice. The enthusiasm shown by participants underlines the need for such platforms.”
Building Bharat Sampaark is envisioned as a pan-India initiative, with future editions planned in North and South India. By starting at IIT Gandhinagar, the programme aims to create a scalable model that connects academia, industry, and innovation across regions