Major General Bimal Monga Urges IIT Gandhinagar Students to Adapt to Rapid Defence Technology Change

Major General Bimal Monga, SM, VSM, Additional Director General of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate Gujarat, urged students and faculty at IIT Gandhinagar to prepare for the rapid pace of technological change during a lecture titled “Engineering the Future of Defence” on November 11, 2026.

The interaction brought together B.Tech and postgraduate students and faculty members. Maj Gen Monga discussed how advances in technology are changing defence requirements and engineering practices, and why professionals need to keep learning as the technologies they work with become outdated more quickly.

He focused on the shrinking “half-life” of technology: the period during which a technology remains relevant and effective. As innovation accelerates, equipment and systems can require upgrades or replacement sooner, with consequences for engineering work and defence planning.

Maj Gen Monga said this pace of change is also transforming modern warfare and creating new challenges for defence organisations, engineers and technology professionals. He encouraged the audience to anticipate developments, adapt to emerging requirements and update their knowledge to sustain professional competence and operational effectiveness.

Rather than resist change, students and faculty should develop the flexibility to adapt, evolve and build new skills, he said. Continuous learning, innovation and the ability to reassess established practices are increasingly important in fields where technological advances can quickly alter how work is done.

Upskilling was a central theme of the lecture. Maj Gen Monga encouraged aspiring engineers and researchers to strengthen their technical capabilities, acquire new competencies and follow developments that may shape future defence systems and industrial applications.

He also stressed that technical expertise on its own is not enough for professional excellence. Critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and effective communication help people address complex challenges, make informed decisions and work across disciplines. He presented these abilities as important complements to technical knowledge in both professional and personal life.

The themes are relevant to engineering students as defence technology develops across areas including artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, robotics, cybersecurity, advanced materials, aerospace engineering and next-generation communications. These fields offer opportunities for engineers and researchers to contribute to indigenous defence innovation and technological self-reliance.

The shortening life cycle of technology also has implications for military equipment: systems that are effective today may need significant upgrades or replacement as new capabilities emerge. Ongoing research and development, modernisation and the capacity to adapt are therefore important considerations in maintaining the effectiveness of defence systems.

Maj Gen Monga encouraged students to look beyond conventional academic study by developing practical skills, analytical ability and an innovative approach to problem-solving. He linked this preparation to the need for educational institutions and professionals to stay connected with changing technological and industrial requirements.

The lecture also drew attention to the relationship between academic institutions and India’s defence ecosystem. IIT Gandhinagar and other premier institutions contribute by developing engineering talent, advancing scientific research and fostering innovation relevant to national technological capabilities.

Engagements between senior military leaders and students can provide a forum to discuss emerging challenges and introduce young professionals to opportunities in defence technology, research and engineering. They can also help students consider how academic knowledge may be applied to national security and technological problems.

In his role as ADG of NCC Directorate Gujarat, Maj Gen Monga’s interaction with the academic community also brought attention to leadership development, discipline, adaptability and professional excellence among young people. His message was that future success will require more than technical qualifications: professionals must remain willing to learn, unlearn and relearn as their fields change.

By pairing continuous upskilling with communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving, Maj Gen Monga encouraged students to prepare for the demands of a changing technological landscape. The lecture connected those capabilities with the future of defence engineering and technological progress in India.