IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India – May 26, 2025: The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and the Forum of Regulators (FOR), a statutory body established under the Electricity Act, 2003, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Affairs at IIT Roorkee. This pioneering initiative aims to undertake cutting-edge regulatory and policy research, provide advisory , conduct capacity-building programs, create discussion platforms, and promote knowledge management in the regulatory domain.
Through this MoU, IIT Roorkee will spearhead cutting-edge research, deliver advanced capacity-building programs, provide expert advisory services, and foster dialogue among regulators, industry, and academia initially focusing on electricity regulation under the Electricity Act, 2003, with potential expansion into other critical infrastructure sectors.
The MoU was signed in the presence of senior dignitaries, including Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee; Prof. Naveen K. Navani, Dean of Academic Affairs, IIT Roorkee; Shri Harpreet Singh Pruthi, Secretary, Forum of Regulators (FOR) and Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC); Dr. S.K. Chatterjee, Chief (Regulatory Affairs), CERC; and Prof. Arun Kumar, Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy (HRED), at the Board Room of IIT Roorkee. The g ceremony was also graced by Prof. Sanjeev Kumar Prajapati, Head, Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy; Prof. Sunil Kumar Singal; Prof. Himanshu Jain; and other faculty and officials.
This Centre of Excellence will be an academic and research initiative in India in the field of regulatory affairs, ed by seed funding from the Forum of Regulators. It seeks to bridge the gap between academia, industry, and regulatory bodies by fostering evidence-based policymaking and technical research.
In his address, Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, expressed his pride in this landmark collaboration, calling it a transformational step in India’s regulatory evolution. “This Centre of Excellence is a timely initiative that positions IIT Roorkee as a national think tank for regulatory and policy research. By fostering data-driven policymaking and technical capacity building, we aim to contribute meaningfully to India’s growth story and the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. I applaud the foresight of FOR and the dedicated efforts of Prof. Arun Kumar in conceptualizing and advancing this vital initiative. While our journey begins with electricity regulation, the Centre is poised to evolve into a multidisciplinary powerhouse ing reforms across India’s critical infrastructure sectors.”
Shri Harpreet Singh Pruthi, Secretary, FOR and CERC, lauded this pioneering partnership as a crucial milestone in strengthening India’s regulatory ecosystem, “The Centre of Excellence will serve as a dynamic platform for empowering regulators, industry experts, and policymakers through rigorous research, capacity building, and forward-thinking dialogue. This collaborative initiative reflects the Forum of Regulators’ continued commitment to advancing robust, transparent, and future-ready regulation in line with national priorities. By partnering with IIT Roorkee, a premier institution with deep expertise in technology, innovation, and policy we aim to tly foster a culture of evidence-based policymaking and sectoral excellence. The synergy between FOR’s regulatory vision and IIT Roorkee’s academic leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping India’s infrastructure and energy future”
Following the MoU, the delegation visited the Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy at IIT Roorkee, renowned for its research and innovations in sustainable energy. The visit highlighted the department’s contributions to advancing hydro, clean energy, energy storage, and grid integration solutions, underscoring IIT Roorkee’s commitment to national progress through impactful, knowledge-based interventions in the energy sector.
The MoU to establish the Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Affairs at IIT Roorkee marks a pioneering effort to advance India’s regulatory landscape through research, policy development, and capacity building focusing initially on electricity and later expanding to other infrastructure sectors. This initiative will provide specialized training, advisory , and promote evidence-based policymaking to enhance transparency and innovation. Reflecting IIT Roorkee’s 175-year legacy of excellence and nation-building, the Centre underscores the institute’s commitment to driving sustainable growth and shaping future-ready regulations crucial for India’s socio-economic development. This landmark partnership reinforces IIT Roorkee’s enduring legacy of offering knowledge-based solutions to contemporary challenges and nation-building.