TEXMiN-IIIT Manipur Mining CPS Centre of Excellence: Overview  
The TEXMiN-IIIT Manipur Mining CPS Centre of Excellence (CoE) is the collaborative initiative  
between TEXMiN Foundation and IIIT Manipur, established to foster research, innovation and  
entrepreneurial activities in the mining and mineral-exploration domain by leveraging  
Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), AI, IoT, ML and related emerging technologies.  
The mission of the Centre is aligned with TEXMiN’s broader aim to make India a leading player  
in CPS-based mining and mineral exploration, enabling safe, smart, sustainable and socially  
responsible mining operations.  
Under this partnership, IIIT Manipur serves as a nodal academic hub to support students’ and  
researchers’ engagement in real-world mining-CPS projects, incubation of innovations, and  
start-up development.  
MoU & Partnership with TEXMiN  
The formal collaboration between TEXMiN Foundation and IIIT Manipur was established in  
March 2025, when TEXMiN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIIT Manipur  
for setting up the TEXMiN-IIIT Manipur Mining CPS Centre of Excellence.  
This partnership brings the vision and resources of TEXMiN — a national-level hub under the  
government-supported NM-ICPS mission — to IIIT Manipur.  
Through this MoU, IIIT Manipur becomes part of the national network of TEXMiN CoEs, aimed  
at research, training, fellowship, incubation, and technology development for Mining 4.0.  
Inauguration & Centre Launch  
The Centre of Excellence was formally inaugurated on 8th September 2025 at the Mantripukhri  
campus of IIIT Manipur.  
This event marked the operational launch of the TEXMiN-IIIT Manipur Mining CPS CoE —  
opening doors for academic and entrepreneurial engagement in mining-CPS research,  
development, and innovation.  
Fellowship Programs & Student Engagement  
As part of fostering research among IIIT Manipur students, the Centre initiated an  
undergraduate fellowship program specifically aimed at SC/ST students, encouraging  
participation in mining-CPS projects.  
On 3rd September 2025, an introductory session on the fellowship program was conducted for  
2nd and 3rd year SC/ST students.  
On 11th October 2025, a similar introductory session was held for 1st-year students, to raise  
awareness and invite applications from the fresh batch.  
The formal fellowship-program interview was conducted on 16th October 2025. Following  
evaluation, one candidate - Ramya Marapelly from 2nd year ECE B.Tech, was selected for the  
project titled “Empowering Mining Safety: Simulation and Design of Low-Power FET Gas  
Sensors”.  
This fellowship scheme is in line with the guidelines defined by the Centre: a 10-month  
fellowship, fellowship amount of ₹ 10,000 per month, and support for projects in various  
mining-CPS domains such as mine safety, monitoring/tracking technologies, mineral  
exploration, green mining innovations, among others.  
Pre-Incubation & Start-up Support: Encouraging  
Innovation  
Beyond research fellowships, the Centre also supports budding entrepreneurs and innovators  
via a Pre-Incubation grant mechanism under the TEXMiN-IIIT Manipur CoE framework.  
On 21st November 2025, the Pre-Incubation grant interview was conducted.  
Two start-ups were selected for support under the CoE’s Pre-Incubation program:  
1. “Yaksha” — working on “An integrated robotic first responder for mine  
rescue & safety”.  
1st prototype of Yaksha multi-terrain vehicle  
Team review meeting with TEXMiN CoE Centre In-Charge  
Prototype Demonstration  
2. “NetraSena by Savfa” — working on “Integrated Platform for digitalizing  
industrial sites using AI, ML, IoT and Data Analytics”.  
Product Prototype - Dashboard, Facial Detection, Movement Tracking etc  
The startups will receive a total amount of Rs. 2,00,000/- each as a pre-incubation grant from  
the Centre of Excellence. These selections reflect the Centre’s commitment not only to  
academic research, but also to facilitating real-world, industry-relevant innovations with potential  
for social impact and commercialization.  
Impact & Vision Ahead  
With the establishment of TEXMiN-IIIT Manipur Mining CPS CoE, IIIT Manipur aims to:  
1. Provide a platform for students, faculty members and researchers at IIIT Manipur to  
engage in cutting-edge mining-CPS research and innovation.  
2. Facilitate development of proof-of-concept prototypes, technology demonstrations, and  
start-ups addressing critical needs in mining safety, exploration, mineral processing,  
green mining, digitalization, and industrial automation.  
3. Encourage collaborative work — bridging academia, industry, and start-ups — to realize  
Mining 4.0 aspirations: safe, smart, sustainable, and socially responsible mining  
operations.  
4. Promote entrepreneurship and incubation culture among students and young innovators,  
thereby contributing to nation-building and self-reliant technological development in the  
mining & minerals sector.  
Summary of Key Milestones  
Date  
Event / Milestone  
8 Sept  
2025  
Inauguration of TEXMiN-IIIT Manipur Mining CPS CoE at IIIT Mantripukhri  
campus.  
3 Sept  
2025  
Introductory fellowship session for 2nd–3rd year SC/ST students.  
11 Oct  
2025  
Introductory fellowship session for 1st year students.  
16 Oct  
2025  
Fellowship program interview; one candidate selected for project “Empowering  
Mining Safety: Simulation and Design of Low-Power FET Gas Sensors”.  
21 Nov  
2025  
Pre-Incubation grant interview; two start-ups selected — Yaksha (robotic  
mine-rescue & safety) and NetraSena by Savfa (AI/ML/IoT digitalization  
platform).  
The TEXMiN-IIIT Manipur Mining CPS Centre of Excellence represents IIIT Manipur’s strategic  
endeavour to harness cutting-edge cyber-physical systems for transforming mining and  
mineral-exploration in India. By combining academic rigour, student engagement, fellowship  
support, and start-up incubation, the Centre aims to create a vibrant ecosystem of innovation —  
contributing to safe, sustainable, and intelligent mining practices. We remain committed to  
nurturing talent, enabling impactful research, and fostering entrepreneurship so that IIIT Manipur  
becomes a leading hub for Mining 4.0 in the North-East and beyond.