Marking a pivotal moment in India’s mobility and design landscape, the Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA) laid its foundation today at XLRI Delhi-NCR, emerging as the country’s first institution solely dedicated to automobile design and management. Conceived under XLRI’s Centre for Automobile Design & Management (XADM), INDEA aims to transform India’s approach to automotive design by nurturing a new generation of globally competent and locally aware design professionals. Led by Avik Chattopadhyay, Founder of INDEA and Chairperson of XADM, the institute will focus on creating a forward-looking academic and industry-aligned environment to support the country's growing emphasis on design-led innovation in mobility.
At the centre of the new institute stands Param, a symbolic foundation pillar designed by renowned artist Vibhor Sogani. Constructed from steel and reaching skyward, the structure captures INDEA’s aspiration to drive transformative thinking, creative freedom, and excellence in automotive design.
In his keynote message, Gadkari stressed the automotive sector’s critical role in powering India’s economic growth and global competitiveness. “As we move from cost-led to quality-led manufacturing, institutions like INDEA will drive innovation, enhance R&D, and cultivate talent aligned with our vision of a $5 trillion economy,” he said. Gadkari emphasised that the country’s future in mobility would be shaped by strong design, sustainable practices, and technological leadership.
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. “The Minister’s presence is a strong endorsement of the critical role that design will play in India’s mobility transformation,” he noted.
Chattopadhyay described INDEA as a national movement to elevate India’s design capabilities. “With the support of leaders like Gadkari and the vision of our Prime Minister, we believe INDEA will become a launchpad for India’s emergence as a global innovation hub,” he said.
The ceremony also marked the beginning of deeper engagement between academia and the automotive industry, with discussions focused on sustainable design, indigenous innovation, and creating global opportunities for Indian talent. As INDEA breaks ground, it signals not just the launch of an institute, but the start of a bold new chapter in India's mobility and design journey.
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