NIT Rourkela is set to host its 24th convocation on September 12, awarding degrees to over 2,000 students. While the event celebrates academic excellence, data reveals a significant gender disparity in engineering graduates.
- 2,033 total degrees to be conferred across UG, PG, and PhD programs.
- Women represent 25% of graduates, with a stark gap in B.Tech (21%).
- 86 medals and awards will be distributed for academic and co-curricular excellence.
- DigiLocker will be used for the digital distribution of degrees.
The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela is preparing for its 24th Convocation ceremony scheduled for September 12. A total of 2,033 students from various undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs will be awarded their degrees. The ceremony will be presided over by Abhay Karandikar, a distinguished member of NITI Aayog, in the presence of S N Subrahmanyan, Chairperson of the Board of Governors.
Gender Distribution and Academic Trends
An analysis of the graduating cohort reveals a persistent gender imbalance within the technical fields. Out of the total recipients, 1,525 are men and 508 are women. This means that for every female graduate, there are approximately three male graduates. The disparity is most pronounced in the B.Tech program, the institute's largest, where women constitute only 21% (188 women vs 723 men).
| Programme | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Tech. | 723 | 188 | 911 |
| M.Tech. | 398 | 116 | 514 |
| Ph.D. | 115 | 75 | 190 |
| M.Sc. (2 Years) | 108 | 74 | 182 |
Interestingly, the gender gap narrows significantly at the doctoral level. In the Ph.D. program, women make up nearly 40% of the 190 recipients, suggesting a higher retention and pursuit of advanced research among female scholars compared to undergraduate engineering levels.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that while overall enrollment in STEM is rising, the 'leaky pipeline' remains a challenge in core engineering degrees like B.Tech. However, the strong representation of women in PhD and M.Sc. programs indicates a shift toward research-oriented academic pursuits. The transition to DigiLocker for degree distribution also highlights the institute's alignment with the Digital India initiative to eliminate document forgery and streamline verification.
"The gender disparity in technical graduations reflects systemic societal challenges, yet the rise in female PhDs is a beacon of hope for inclusive academic leadership."
Beyond degrees, the institute will honor exceptional talent with 86 medals and awards, including 11 Institute gold medals and 61 silver medals. Furthermore, the Distinguished Alumnus Award 2026 will be presented to Rajarshi Gupta (MD & CEO, ONGC Videsh Limited) for industry leadership and Gyana Ranjan Mohanty (MD, Corrosion Protection Limited) for entrepreneurship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How will students receive their degrees?
All graduating students will receive their degrees digitally via DigiLocker.
Q2: Who are the distinguished alumni being honored this year?
Rajarshi Gupta of ONGC Videsh and Gyana Ranjan Mohanty of Corrosion Protection Limited will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award 2026.
