Hyderabad | February 28, 2026: India’s defence and aerospace sector is entering a high-growth phase, driven by policy reforms, increased private participation, and export ambitions. With defence production targeted to exceed ₹3 lakh crore annually in the coming years and exports projected to scale toward ₹50,000 crore, the sector is expected to grow at a steady 8–10% CAGR, positioning India as an emerging global manufacturing hub.
Yet, as industry expands, a structural challenge persists: aligning academic preparation with execution-ready industrial capability.
This theme anchored the Campus to Capability Conclave 2026, held in Hyderabad, which marked the launch of GYANN India’s flagship Defence & Aerospace Management Programme. Organised in association with the Institute of Engineers (India), Hyderabad Local Centre, the conclave convened policymakers, senior bureaucrats, industrial leaders, academic heads, and students to deliberate on bridging the industry–academia gap in strategic manufacturing.
The event was attended by Senior IAS officer Mr. Vikas Raj, Dr. SVS. Narayana Murthy, CMD – MIDHANI, Padma Shri Dr. G. Chandramouli, senior government officials, and leadership from major defence and aerospace firms including Adani Group, MTAR Technologies, VEM Technologies, Skyroot Aerospace, Larsen & Toubro, Apollo Microsystems, and others. Academic representation included Vice Chancellors from leading universities and the Chairman of the Telangana Higher Education Council.
Discussions highlighted that while policy reforms and calibrated privatisation have opened new opportunities for private industry and startups, defence manufacturing operates under stringent compliance, systems integration, and quality discipline areas where structured exposure for students remains limited.
The unveiling of GYANN India’s programme brochure by the dignitaries symbolised a formal step toward creating a structured interface between campuses and complex industrial ecosystems. The initiative aims to align engineering and management education with real-world execution standards, particularly in mission-critical sectors.
As India advances its self-reliance agenda and scales defence exports, the sustainability of growth may increasingly depend not just on investment and infrastructure, but on the readiness of its talent pipeline.
Campus to Capability Conclave 2026 signals a broader shift in industry thinking: that strategic manufacturing leadership will require a parallel transformation in academic alignment.
