We are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Technocraft Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence (TCA2I), Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited(NPCIL)-Official (NPCIL), marking the beginning of a strategic collaboration to accelerate the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across NPCIL’s operational functions.

The MoU was signed by Prof. Shrikrishna V Kulkarni Dean R&D, IIT Bombay, and Mr. S. K. Saxena, Executive Director (Engineering), NPCIL in the presence of Prof. Ravindra Gudi, Deputy Director, IIT Bombay.

Through this partnership, TCA2I, under the leadership of Prof Manjesh Kumar Hanawal and Wg Cdr Rohan Chandak (Retd.), will work closely with NPCIL to implement AI-driven solutions, facilitate knowledge exchange, support workforce upskilling, undertake collaborative research, and build capabilities for the effective adoption of AI technologies. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to leveraging AI to drive innovation, operational excellence, and technology-led transformation in India’s nuclear power sector.

This collaboration focuses on the development of an AI-based predictive maintenance system for critical onboard machinery of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships. By integrating artificial intelligence with engineering diagnostics, the initiative aims to improve the reliability, availability, and operational readiness of mission-critical marine assets.

The proposed system will leverage data-driven intelligence to detect anomalies in machinery performance, assess equipment health, predict potential failures well in advance, identify probable causes of failures, and support optimized maintenance planning and scheduling. The project also encompasses the development of the required software and hardware infrastructure for onboard analysis of major and auxiliary machinery.

Led by Prof. Manjesh Hanawal (Department of Industrial Engineering & Operations Research) and Prof. Makarand Kulkarni (Department of Mechanical Engineering), the collaboration brings together IIT Bombay’s expertise in artificial intelligence and engineering with MDL’s capabilities in naval shipbuilding, fostering research that addresses real-world challenges in maritime asset management.

The agreement is between Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) and Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi. IITB, an Institute of National Importance, focuses on applied artificial intelligence through Technocraft Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence (TCAAI). ILBS, established by the Government of Delhi, aims to become a global center of excellence for liver and biliary diseases diagnosis, management, training, and research in Hepato-biliary Sciences. The agreement commenced on January 11, 2024, and will be valid for 5 years.