XLRI to Unveil India’s First Automobile Design Institute in Delhi
Xavier School of Management to launch India’s pioneer automobile design school by late 2025.
India gears up for the establishment of its inaugural automobile design institute, the Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA), a collaborative initiative by Xavier School of Management (XLRI) and automotive expert Avik Chattopadhyay, aiming to nurture well-rounded professionals for the automotive industry.
JAMSHEDPUR – The Indian automotive industry is set to witness a significant transformation with the upcoming launch of the Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA) by late 2025. XLRI, one of the country’s oldest business schools, and automotive expert Avik Chattopadhyay have joined forces to establish this specialized institution.
INDEA, poised to bridge the existing gap in specialized automotive design education, will be situated at the XLRI Delhi-NCR campus.
This initiative marks a pivotal step towards creating a pool of skilled designers who are adept not only in design aesthetics but also in management and understanding customer preferences.
The institute will offer a one-year Master’s degree in Automobile Design & Management, catering to 20-25 students from diverse graduate schools, selected through a rigorous screening process.
This course is designed to delve deep into automotive design intricacies while equipping students with the skills to manage design teams effectively. The curriculum, currently under finalization, promises a comprehensive learning experience.
Additionally, INDEA plans to introduce refresher courses for existing automotive designers aiming to enhance their skills, as well as induction programs for chief experience officers (CXOs).
A course on automotive restoration is also under consideration, reflecting the institute’s commitment to covering various facets of automotive design and management.
Chattopadhyay highlighted the unique proposition of INDEA, emphasizing the hands-on experience and industry gateway it offers to students.
This is in stark contrast to the general approach of existing institutions where automotive designing is just one of many courses, leading to a significant learning and unlearning process for industry entrants.
Dr. Fr K S Casimir, director of the XLRI Delhi-NCR campus, underscored the critical role of creativity, innovation, and originality in education and the broader goal of national advancement. He envisions management education infused with a spirit of creativity, potentially leading to breakthroughs that can propel the country to superpower status.
He said: "Creativity, innovation and originality will ensure that a country leapfrogs to that superpower status. We want to imbue the entire management education with a kind of spirit where we are able to even blunder into creativity."
Institute Highlights
The establishment of INDEA stands as a testament to the collaborative vision of XLRI and Chattopadhyay. It aims to fill the void in specialized automotive design education in India, setting a new benchmark for industry-oriented programs.
National Context
While institutions like the National Institute of Design and the Indian Institutes of Technology offer automotive-related programs, INDEA will be the country’s first dedicated institute for automobile design, addressing the industry’s acute need for specialized designers.
