What is KRITI? KRITI, an IIT Kharagpur’s flagship initiative for nurturing future innovators that seeks to nurture talent and strengthen the research ecosystem across the academic journey. It is grounded in a simple idea: curiosity, when supported by the right environment, can grow into discovery and, over time, into leadership in science, engineering, and innovation. Why KRITI? Advances in science and engineering are shaped by individuals who encounter the culture of research early and meaningfully. KRITI enables this journey through carefully designed opportunities for academic immersion, mentored research, and collaborative learning. The design of its programs draws inspiration from well-established academic models adopted by leading institutions in India and across the world, while evolving its own distinctive character in response to the Indian context. In doing so, KRITI seeks to contribute meaningfully to national capacity building, extend the outreach of IIT Kharagpur during its Platinum Jubilee year, and reflect the Institute’s enduring commitment to the ideal of “Dedicated to the Service of the Nation,” while offering participants direct engagement with the processes through which knowledge is created and shared. What KRITI Enables? Early engagement with science and engineering Rigorous learning beyond standard curricula Mentored research within active research environments Collaborative fellowships and academic exchange Exploration of frontier areas of knowledge Together, these programs bring learning, research, and collaboration into a coherent and sustained experience. Vision To inspire curiosity, nurture talent, and enable the next generation of researchers and innovators to explore the frontiers of knowledge. Looking Ahead KRITI aims to cultivate future researchers, innovators, and academic leaders while contributing to a vibrant national research ecosystem and strengthening engagement with the global scientific community. Stages of Academic Development KRITI programs span all stages of scholarly development, from school students to experienced educators and researchers. Explore Programs KRITI connects learners with mentors, labs, and real research, from school exploration to advanced research, offering selective programs to build skills and understand how new knowledge is created. i-KITES - The STEM Journey i-KITES is for students who have completed Class 10 or 11, bridging school learning with advanced science and engineering. It builds strong foundations in core subjects through hands-on work, connecting concepts to real-world situations. i-KITES Website: https://kriti.iitkgp.ac.in/programs/i-kites RISE - Research Internship for School Students RISE is a research internship for highly motivated school students, offering early exposure to how new knowledge is created through scientific inquiry. Students work on real research problems under faculty mentorship, gaining hands-on experience in modern science and engineering while learning how questions are asked, explored, and answered. RISE Website: https://kriti.iitkgp.ac.in/programs/rise GRISHMA - UG Internship GRISHMA is designed to introduce UG students to the practice of scientific and scholarly research. The program offers students from institutions across India the opportunity to undertake mentored research across science, engineering, technology, and the humanities, working within faculty-led groups to gain first-hand experience in formulating, investigating, and communicating research problems. GRISHMA Website: https://kriti.iitkgp.ac.in/programs/grishma THESES - Thematic Schools & Workshops THESES is a series of short-term academic schools and workshops at IIT Kharagpur that introduce participants to emerging and frontier areas of science, engineering, and related disciplines. THESES Website: https://kriti.iitkgp.ac.in/programs/theses CRAFT - Fellowship for Research Scholars CRAFT supports postgraduate and PhD students from less-resourced institutions by providing access to IIT Kharagpur’s advanced academic ecosystem, including high-end experimental and computational facilities. It enables them to work on projects aligned with ongoing research in close collaboration with faculty mentors and active groups. CRAFT Website: https://kriti.iitkgp.ac.in/programs/craft KERNEL - Program for Emerging Leaders KERNEL hosts early-career researchers and young faculty for short-term academic visits at IIT Kharagpur. It offers recent PhD graduates the opportunity to collaborate with faculty, engage with active research groups, and work within the institute’s advanced academic environment. The program primarily supports researchers from institutions across India, while also welcoming outstanding Indian scholars abroad and select international participants from academia and industry. Designed to enable focused visits, KERNEL promotes intellectual exchange and strengthens research linkages with IIT Kharagpur. KERNEL Website: https://kriti.iitkgp.ac.in/programs/kernel CREATE - Engaging Educators & Technologists CREATE is an advanced academic immersion program designed for experienced teachers, educators, and technologists to engage with frontier research and emerging technologies. The program enables participants to explore thematic research areas, interact with faculty and researchers, and access research facilities to enrich their teaching, technology development, and professional practice. CREATE offers a guided intellectual exploration culminating in meaningful outcomes. CREATE Website: https://kriti.iitkgp.ac.in/programs/create Application Procedure Create your KRITI account and apply to one or more programs. Applications are free. Admission Roadmap Frequently Asked Questions What is the KRITI Initiative? KRITI is an initiative of IIT Kharagpur that nurtures talent and strengthens the research ecosystem across multiple stages of the academic journey. How many programs does KRITI offer? KRITI currently offers nine programs: i-KITES, RISE, GRISHMA, THESES, CRAFT, KERNEL, CREATE, PRAVAH (the Science and Innovation Fair), and the IIT KGP Science and Innovation Summit. Can I apply to multiple KRITI programs? No. Each program is designed for a different academic stage, so applicants are typically eligible for only one. An exception is school students, who may choose between i-KITES and RISE. Is there a fee to apply? Application to all KRITI programs is free of charge. Some programs offer fully funded participation. Please check individual program pages for details. What documents do I need to upload? Required documents vary by program but typically include: academic transcripts, bonafide certificate, government ID proof, and a passport-size photograph. Check the specific program page for the complete list. Can I save my application and complete it later? Yes. You can save your application and return to complete it anytime before the deadline. After the final submission, it cannot be edited. Contact Details Address KRITI Initiative, IIT KharagpurKharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India e-mail Admission-Related Queries: admission.kriti@iitkgp.ac.in All Other Queries: contact.kriti@iitkgp.ac.in Source: https://kriti.iitkgp.ac.in/