Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, virtually laid the foundation stone for the Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA) at XLRI Delhi-NCR, Jhajjar, Haryana. This marks the birth of the country’s first institution exclusively dedicated to automobile design and management, signaling a bold new chapter in India’s journey toward global leadership in mobility, innovation, and sustainable design.
INDEA, developed under the aegis of XLRI’s Centre for Automobile Design & Management (XADM), is set to revolutionize design education in India. The institute, led by Avik Chattopadhyay—Founder of INDEA and Chairperson of XADM—aims to nurture a new generation of automotive designers and visionaries equipped to meet both global standards and unique local needs. The curriculum will blend creative design thinking, technical expertise, and industry alignment to prepare students for the evolving demands of the automotive sector.
The foundation stone, named ‘Param’—a Sanskrit word meaning ‘supreme’ or ‘ultimate’—was unveiled as a striking steel structure designed by renowned installation artist Vibhor Sogani. The skyward-reaching sculpture is envisioned as the symbolic heart of INDEA, representing limitless growth, creative freedom, and transformative knowledge. ‘Param’ stands as a beacon for the institute’s aspirations to foster innovation and excellence in automotive design.
In his virtual address, Nitin Gadkari underscored the critical role of the automotive sector in driving India’s economic growth, employment generation, and global competitiveness. He emphasized the government’s vision of transforming India from a cost-driven to a quality-led automotive powerhouse, anchored in smart design, robust safety, and sustainable practices. Gadkari stated, “The future will be shaped by strong R&D, innovation, and next-generation testing and certification. I am confident that the young talent trained at INDEA will become catalysts for change, turning knowledge into innovation, and innovation into national strength”.
The launch of INDEA is timely, aligning with India’s ambitions to become a $5 trillion economy. The institute’s establishment is expected to deepen engagement between academia and the automotive industry, with a focus on sustainable design, indigenous innovation, and creating global opportunities for Indian talent. Fr. Dr. K.S. Casimir, Director of XLRI Delhi-NCR, called the ceremony a leap toward building an academic platform that integrates design thinking, engineering excellence, and industry partnerships.
Avik Chattopadhyay emphasized that INDEA is more than an educational institution—it is a national movement to elevate India’s design capabilities. With the support of leaders like Gadkari and the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, INDEA aspires to become a launchpad for India’s emergence as a global innovation hub in automotive design.