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IIT Delhi to Expand AI Research with Yardi’s ₹75 Crore Donation

March 23, 2026 01:30 AM IST | Written by Neelam Sharma | Edited by Vaibhav Jha

India’s premier engineering institute IIT Delhi has received a funding of ₹75 crore ($7.9 million) to promote research in fields of AI, machine learning and data sciences, from Anant Yardi, founder of Yardi Systems and an alumnus of the institute.

With the latest donation, Yardi’s total contribution now reaches ₹150 crore, making it one of the largest donations by an IIT Delhi alumnus.

According to a statement from IIT Delhi, a large part of the grant will go to the Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence (ScAI), which was started in 2020. The school focuses on teaching and research in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. It also works on real-world problems in fields such as healthcare, robotics, weather forecasting, transportation, and industry. More than 40 professors from different departments work together here to promote practical and innovative research.

The institute said that the remaining funds will be used for improving the campus under IIT Delhi’s Infrastructure Renewal and Expansion Programme. The objective of this initiative is to enhance facilities and facilitate the institute’s future development. In the initial phase, new residences and a learning center will be built to accommodate the rising number of students and staff.

Speaking about his donation, Yardi said he is thankful to IIT Delhi for giving him a strong education that helped him succeed in life. IIT Delhi Director Prof. Rangan Banerjee also appreciated the contribution, saying it will help the institute grow in both research and infrastructure.

This donation highlights how alumni are playing an important role in shaping the future of IIT Delhi and supporting innovation and development.

Also Read: India’s Youth Unemployment Crisis to Worsen with AI: Report

Authors

Neelam Sharma

Neelam Sharma is a passionate storyteller, and journalist with over a decade of experience across leading Indian media houses.
Known for her calm presence on screen and powerful storytelling off it, Neelam brings a rare blend of credibility, creativity, and empathy to journalism. Her strength lies in ground reporting and research-driven narratives that connect with the heart of the audience. Whether covering social issues, human-interest features, or breaking news, she combines factual depth with a human touch—making every story not just informative.

Vaibhav Jha

Vaibhav Jha is an Editor and Co-founder of AI FrontPage. In his decade long career in journalism, Vaibhav has reported for publications including The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and The New York Times, covering the intersection of technology, policy, and society. Outside work, he’s usually trying to persuade people to watch Anurag Kashyap films.