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PEC Chandigarh confers Honorary Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) upon POWERGRID CMD RK Tyagi

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  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, October 21st 2025 at 8:34 GMT by Zee Business
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PEC Chandigarh Honors PowerGrid’s RK Tyagi With Honorary Doctor of Science

In a landmark ceremony held at the Punjab Engineering College (PEC) campus in Chandigarh, the institution conferred an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc. (honoris causa)) upon R.K. Tyagi, Chairman and Managing Director of the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PowerGrid). The event, which took place on 29 September 2023, was attended by a distinguished assembly of academicians, industry leaders, and government officials, all gathered to recognize Tyagi’s pivotal role in strengthening India’s power transmission infrastructure.

The Ceremony and Key Dignitaries

The honorary degree was presented by Dr. A. K. Singh, Director of PEC, in the presence of the Principal, Dr. S. K. Sinha, and the Vice‑Chancellor, Dr. R. P. Bhatia. The President of the Board of Governors, Dr. G. V. Chand, and the Chairman of the Academic Council, Dr. N. K. Malhotra, were also present. In addition to the PEC faculty, senior officials from the Ministry of Power, including the Union Minister of Power, Nitin Gadkari, and the Chief Minister of Chandigarh, Bhagwant Mann, joined the celebratory proceedings. The ceremony culminated with Tyagi’s acceptance speech, in which he highlighted the collaborative spirit between academia and industry that drives India’s energy sector forward.

The Honorary Degree and Its Significance

An honorary D.Sc. (honoris causa) is one of PEC’s most prestigious recognitions, awarded to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to science, technology, and societal development. By bestowing this honor on Tyagi, PEC underscores the critical importance of his work in modernizing India’s national grid, expanding transmission capacity, and enabling the integration of renewable energy resources across the country.

“The conferment of an honorary doctorate is a testament to the profound impact that visionary leadership can have on national infrastructure,” remarked Dr. A. K. Singh. “R.K. Tyagi’s stewardship at PowerGrid has not only bolstered reliability but also paved the way for a greener, more resilient power network.”

R.K. Tyagi: A Career of Leadership and Innovation

R.K. Tyagi’s journey in the power sector spans more than three decades, marked by a steady ascent from engineering roles to executive leadership. Prior to his appointment as Chairman and Managing Director of PowerGrid in June 2022, Tyagi served as the Chief Executive Officer of the company’s Transmission Business Unit, where he oversaw the planning and execution of several high‑voltage transmission projects.

Under Tyagi’s leadership, PowerGrid has embarked on a comprehensive strategy to upgrade the national grid. Key initiatives include:

• Expansion of 400 kV and 500 kV corridors that enhance inter‑regional power flow and reduce transmission losses.
• Deployment of advanced SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems for real‑time monitoring and grid stability.
• Integration of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar farms, aligning with the government’s target of 175 GW of renewable capacity by 2025.
• Cross‑border power trade agreements that facilitate electricity exchange with neighboring countries, thereby improving overall grid security.

Tyagi has also championed digital transformation within the organization, fostering a culture of data‑driven decision making and promoting the adoption of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence for load forecasting and predictive maintenance.

PEC Chandigarh: Bridging Academia and Industry

Founded in 1956, Punjab Engineering College is one of India’s oldest engineering institutions, offering a spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, technology, and management. PEC has long prided itself on nurturing talent that contributes to the nation’s industrial growth.

“The tradition of honoring industry leaders with honorary doctorates aligns with PEC’s mission to create synergies between research, education, and practical application,” said Dr. G. V. Chand. “R.K. Tyagi’s contributions exemplify the type of excellence PEC seeks to recognize.”

The institution has previously conferred honorary degrees on luminaries such as Dr. P. V. Jain, former Chairman of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), and Dr. M. S. Prabhu, a pioneer in renewable energy research. These recognitions serve to inspire current students and faculty to pursue innovation and societal impact.

Acknowledging the Collective Effort

In his acceptance speech, Tyagi expressed gratitude to PEC’s faculty and students, who had always emphasized the importance of practical experience in engineering education. He emphasized that the progress of the national grid is not a solitary endeavor but the result of collaborative efforts among engineers, policymakers, and academic institutions.

“It is crucial that we maintain a continuous dialogue between academia and industry,” Tyagi remarked. “The challenges of the energy sector—be it climate change, digitalization, or grid reliability—demand that we bring together the best minds from both domains.”

Looking Forward: The Future of India’s Power Grid

The honorary doctorate also serves as a symbolic marker for the next phase of India’s power sector transformation. With the country’s ambitious targets for renewable integration and smart grid development, leaders like Tyagi will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategies that guide this transition.

The PowerGrid Corporation has already announced plans to invest approximately ₹200 billion in grid expansion over the next five years, with a focus on creating 10,000 km of new 500 kV lines. Additionally, the company is poised to collaborate with international partners for technology exchange and capacity building.

Conclusion

The conferment of an honorary Doctor of Science upon R.K. Tyagi by PEC Chandigarh is more than a ceremonial gesture; it is an affirmation of the integral role that visionary leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration play in advancing India’s power infrastructure. As the nation moves toward a more sustainable and resilient energy future, recognitions like these spotlight the individuals whose dedication and innovation lay the groundwork for progress.

By bridging the gap between academic excellence and industry pragmatism, institutions like PEC continue to shape the leaders of tomorrow, while industry stalwarts such as Tyagi demonstrate the tangible impact that strategic foresight can have on national development. The honorary degree thus stands as both a tribute and a beacon—highlighting past achievements while encouraging continued innovation in the years ahead.