For the first time, the International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE), the premier event of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), is being held in India. The MSME Conclave, Innovation Square for hardware-led companies, Engineering Education Symposium, Women in Engineering panel, and Student Engagements with a six-hour design sprint are the five main themes and eleven technical tracks of IMECE India 2025.
The event’s theme, Innovation, Sustainability, and Inclusion, creates a special forum for cooperation between government, business, and academia to promote opportunities in engineering and technology that are ready for the future.
Academic and industry leaders Dr. Yogi Goswami (USF), Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman (Anusandhan NRF), Dr. Jitendra Sharma (AMTZ Vizag), Dr. Jocelyn Gaudin (Airbus India), and Dr. Sasikumar Muthusamy (Collins Aerospace) participated in a high-level panel on “Advancing Research – Creating Vibrant and Enabling Research Architecture for Rapid Technology Development and Deployment” at the IMECE event.
The journey of India to become a global center of innovation was the main topic of debate. While pointing out structural obstacles that restrict effect, panelists emphasized the country’s robust startup ecosystem, strong skill base, and expanding R&D focus.
In order to create a research ecosystem that promotes creativity, speeds up technology transfer, and guarantees societal relevance, the session examined how to get beyond these obstacles by referencing international models and suggesting changes.
Prominent figures such as Mr. Baba N. Kalyani, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Forge Limited; Dr. K. Subramanian, Senior Vice President, Ashok Leyland and Congress Chair, IMECE India; Mr. Thomas Costabile, Executive Director and CEO of ASME; and Mr. Madhukar Sharma, President of ASME India, gave inspiring speeches on the first day.
IMECE India 2025 marks a milestone with over 650 peer-reviewed papers presented by Indian scholars—marking the highest-ever participation by Indian scholars at ASME IMECE in 30 years—alongside the dynamic ‘Brain Bolt: The Engineer’s Sprint’ hackathon, paper presentations, and workshops that made it the most student-driven edition.
In addition to expanding ASME’s student platforms, such as E-Fx and E-Fests, the hackathon brought together more than 230 students from various colleges to tackle real-world problems through design thinking and rapid prototyping. It also promoted creativity, collaboration, and innovation for India’s startup pipeline.
With academia, industry, startups, and policymakers under one roof, IMECE India 2025 sets a precedent for how global congresses can reshape engineering education. Beyond the event, ASME’s ongoing investments in India will create long-term opportunities for students and educators through research collaborations, digital credentialing, and curriculum partnerships.
ASME is strengthening its dedication to Prime Minister Modi’s Make in India agenda by giving engineers the knowledge and experience they need to spearhead innovative manufacturing. Innovation Square and Expo Space were two of IMECE India 2025’s main attractions.
Hardware-led companies can demonstrate their innovative ideas in Innovation Square, while the Expo Space has over 30 stalls from state governments, including Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, as well as top enterprises and academic institutions.
When combined, these platforms produced chances for cooperation, technology sharing, and the development of an ecosystem that promotes sustainability, innovation, and industry-academia collaborations.
Leadership Comments
Baba N. Kalyani, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Forge Limited stated, “In the last five decades, I have seen how India has shifted from muscle power to brain power, embracing automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. Today, as the world undergoes five major transitions — digital and AI, energy, bioengineering, supply chains, and human capital — India has the talent and the scale to play a defining role.”
“It is historic that ASME has brought IMECE to India for the first time outside the United States. ASME has long been instrumental in shaping standards in the US, and here in India it can help bridge critical gaps in knowledge, technology, and research. Our challenge is not to remain a support economy, but to become a true products nation — designing and developing for ourselves, and in doing so, shaping the future of global engineering,” continued Baba N. Kalyani.
Dr. K. Subramanian, Senior Vice President, Ashok Leyland and Congress Chair, IMECE India 2025 emphasized: “It is an honour to lead IMECE India 2025, convening global minds to advance engineering solutions for sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity. This historic event marks a milestone in shaping transformative technologies and fostering collaboration to address critical challenges facing our world.”
Thomas Costabile, ASME Executive Director and CEO, added: “We believe that by unlocking the full potential of India’s mechanical engineering ecosystem, we can collectively improve quality of life and prosperity not just in India, but around the world. The challenges we face—in energy, healthcare, climate resilience, and sustainable mobility—demand global solutions. That’s why ASME is making significant investments in India, in programs, platforms, and partnerships that will last far beyond the IMECE India event.”
Madhukar Sharma, President & Director of ASME India, noted: “IMECE India marks a historic first as 145 years of ASME excellence finally comes home. By bringing IMECE to India, ASME demonstrates its unwavering commitment to nurture the art, science, and practice of mechanical and allied engineering. Over 650 rigorously peer reviewed papers across 11 engineering domains will be presented September 11-13 at HICC, Hyderabad marking the highest-ever participation by Indian scholars at ASME IMECE in 30 years, made possible only because IMECE is happening here in India.”
