Turning CO2 into Concrete: IIT Guwahati Scholar Wins Elite Prime Minister’s Fellowship

Author : Yasaswini Sampathkumar

Published:  4 February 2026 | Category: Awards | Office: Centre for Intelligent Cyber-Physical Systems

IIT Guwahati researcher Ankit Dwivedi has been awarded the Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research (PMFDR), a top-tier national honor that pairs the country’s brightest minds with industry giants to solve critical environmental challenges.

PMFDR is India’s Most Prestigious Research Honour

The Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research (PMFDR) is not a standard academic grant. Administered by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), it is designed to bridge the gap between "lab-scale" theory and "industrial-scale" reality.

To win this fellowship, a scholar must demonstrate three things:

1. Academic Excellence: Ranking among the top researchers in the nation.

2. Industrial Partnership: Securing a direct collaboration with a major industry player.

3. National Priority: Addressing a challenge vital to India’s growth and sustainability.

The Mission: Greener Buildings through 3D Printing

Ankit Dwivedi, a scholar at the Centre for Intelligent Cyber-Physical Systems (CICPS), won the 48-month fellowship for his work on a circular economy solution for the construction industry.

Working under the guidance of Dr Biranchi Panda and in partnership with JSW Cements Limited, Ankit’s research focuses on:

• Carbon Capture: Utilizing CO2 to enhance the strength of concrete.

• Waste-to-Wealth: Using "slag-based" mixes (industrial by-products) instead of traditional, high-emission cement.

• Future Construction: Optimising these eco-friendly mixes specifically for 3D Concrete Printing, which reduces material waste and construction time.

A Strategic Partnership for a Net-Zero India

By partnering with JSW Cements, this research moves quickly from the university lab to the industrial floor. This collaboration ensures that Ankit’s breakthroughs in 3D-printed concrete can be scaled across India's massive infrastructure projects, directly supporting the nation's goal of reducing its carbon footprint.

Ankit will now begin a four-year research cycle supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology.