The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) has announced the establishment of India’s first academic school dedicated entirely to ‘Physical Artificial Intelligence (AI),’ with an investment of ₹35 crore.
The ‘Benjamin Gupta School of Physical AI’ is being established under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between IIT Kharagpur, alumnus and philanthropist Vinod Gupta, and the ‘IITKGP Foundation USA.’
The project will be supported by a contribution of ₹12.5 crore from Vinod Gupta’s family and ₹10 crore from an anonymous alumnus, with the remaining funds provided by IIT Kharagpur. According to a statement from IIT Kharagpur, the school is named in memory of Vinod Gupta’s late son, Benjamin Gupta, and will operate in collaboration with IIT Kharagpur’s Department of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur to Establish India’s First ‘Physical AI’ School with an Investment of ₹35 Crore
The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) has announced the establishment of India’s first academic school dedicated entirely to ‘Physical Artificial Intelligence (AI),’ with an investment of ₹35 crore.
The ‘Benjamin Gupta School of Physical AI’ is being established under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, alumnus and philanthropist Vinod Gupta, and the ‘IITKGP Foundation USA.’
The project will be supported by a contribution of ₹12.5 crore from Vinod Gupta’s family and ₹10 crore from an anonymous alumnus, with the remaining funds provided by the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur.
According to a statement from IIT Kharagpur, the school is named in memory of Vinod Gupta’s late son, Benjamin Gupta, and will operate in collaboration with IIT Kharagpur’s Department of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
While traditional artificial intelligence (AI) focuses primarily on data, algorithms, and digital systems, physical AI centers on creating smart systems capable of understanding and interacting with the physical world. It integrates AI with scientific principles, real-world sensing, and intelligent control.
The institute announced that the new school will concentrate on fields like ‘physics-informed machine learning,’ scientific AI, digital twins, intelligent robotics, autonomous systems, advanced sensing, and AI-based experiments. It will also place priority on creating AI systems that are reliable, transparent, and accountable, especially in sectors where precision and safety are extremely crucial.
Pending required approvals, the academic programs are anticipated to start in the next academic year. They will be available to students, researchers, and professionals in fields like engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, and medicine. The main emphasis will be combining domain expertise with contemporary AI skills.
Suman Chakraborty, Director of Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, stated that the objective of this school is to move AI beyond the confines of a “black-box” technology, a term for systems that are difficult to understand. To achieve this, the capabilities of algorithms will be combined with fundamental scientific principles and domain-specific expertise.
The statement goes on to say that the school will work together with industry partners, healthcare institutions, research laboratories, startups, and international partners to promote research, technology development, and professional reskilling in the realm of “physical AI.”
Also Read: GIFT City and IIM Bangalore to Host ‘National Student Case Challenge 2026’: See Details
