India’s First Automobile Design School Inaugurated by Nitin Gadkari!

In a significant step towards advancing India’s automotive industry, Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, virtually inaugurated the Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA) at the XLRI Delhi-NCR campus on June 18, 2025. INDEA is set to become India’s first institution solely dedicated to automobile design and management, aiming to cultivate a new generation of automotive designers and engineers who can meet global standards while addressing the specific demands of the Indian market.

INDEA is part of XLRI’s Centre for Automobile Design & Management (XADM), a pivotal initiative under the leadership of Avik Chattopadhyay, the founder and chairperson of XADM. The establishment of this institution represents a major milestone in the Indian automotive sector, highlighting the growing emphasis on design, innovation, and sustainability in an industry traditionally focused on manufacturing efficiency and cost reduction.

The symbolic foundation stone of INDEA, named “Param,” was designed by the celebrated installation artist Vibhor Sogani. This steel structure serves as a visual representation of the school’s dedication to shaping the future of automobile design in India, marking the beginning of an era of specialized education in automotive innovation.

During the virtual inauguration, Gadkari underscored the pivotal role the automobile sector plays in driving India’s economic growth. He highlighted the potential of the automotive industry to create thousands of jobs and contribute significantly to the country’s economy. The Minister expressed confidence that the students trained at INDEA would be instrumental in revolutionizing the automotive industry, steering it towards a future focused on cutting-edge design, safety, and sustainability, rather than just cost-cutting measures.

Fr Dr KS Casimir, Director of XLRI Delhi-NCR, described the ceremony as a milestone in the development of an institution that integrates design thinking with technical expertise, ensuring the program is not only academically rigorous but also industry-relevant. This combination of creativity and technical knowledge is poised to provide a unique advantage to graduates entering the workforce.

Avik Chattopadhyay, who is the driving force behind INDEA, emphasized that the institute’s mission goes beyond traditional education. INDEA is envisioned as a leader in advancing India’s capabilities in automobile design, a critical area that has long been underrepresented in the country’s educational infrastructure. With a focus on fostering innovation, INDEA aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet both international standards and the specific needs of the Indian market, positioning them to lead the next phase of India’s automotive evolution.

This initiative aligns with India’s vision of becoming a global hub for advanced manufacturing and design in the automotive sector. With the automobile industry increasingly emphasizing innovation, environmental sustainability, and the transition to electric vehicles, INDEA’s role in shaping the future of automobile design is crucial.

As India moves towards becoming a leader in the global automotive market, institutions like INDEA will be at the forefront of educating the next generation of engineers and designers, equipped with the tools and knowledge to tackle the industry’s challenges and opportunities. By blending education with industry insight, INDEA is set to play a vital role in transforming India’s automotive design capabilities and positioning the country as a global leader in automotive innovation.