Commencement 2026 (for 64^th Convocation)

An event marking the Commencement for the graduating students of the year 2026 will be held on 02^nd May 2026 (Saturday), in the Convocation Hall of the Institute.

Event Schedule - Commencement 2026

What is Commencement?

Commencement is a special event conducted once every year to gather all students likely to graduate in the upcoming convocation of the Institute, congratulate them, and wish them the best for their future career. Here, “likely to graduate” is based on the year of joining and the normal duration of a program. It does not depend on completion of any graduation requirements (such as, courses and grades). Participating in the Commencement event does not mean that the student has graduated.

The event is to be held soon after the end semester examinations of the 2^nd semester (this year on the Saturday, 02^nd May 2026), before the graduating batch leaves the campus. This gives an opportunity for the entire graduating batch to celebrate their stay in the institute along with their batchmates, and also invite their family and friends to the campus to partake in the joy.

The event will be similar to the traditional Convocation ceremony: uniformly dressed students, Academic procession, Chief Guest and Director address, photo-op with the Director, and a Pledge.  However, it will be devoid of conferring degrees, medals, or special awards to the students, since they are yet to complete the requirements of graduation.

Registration for Commencement

The following batches of students are eligible to register for Commencement 2026. Eligibility is based on the joining year and the normal duration of the course. Hence, students are eligible to register even if they have backlogs. Note that degrees will be awarded only after all graduation requirements are completed.

*Exemptions can be sought through DPGC+Dean AP, if a student is likely to graduate in 2-years instead of the normal 3-years.

**Supervisor may provide an override in the Registration portal (below) if the presyn is not submitted by 17^th April 2026, but the thesis is likely to be submitted as applicable for convocation..

Register here to attend Commencement 2026 (accessible only within IITB network)

Login to this portal is through SSO, you have to authorise “ASC’s My Portal” for the first time when prompted.

FAQs

1. I am eligible, but unable to register.
   Report the error to Academic section through your department office.

2. I will be graduating this year, but my program/ batch is not listed above.
   Contact Academic section.

3. Is it mandatory to attend the Commencement?

No. This event is merely to celebrate your stay in the institute. Attending or not attending this event has no consequence whatsoever to your degree or any other requirements of your stay here.

4. If I attend the Commencement event now, does it mean I cannot attend the corresponding degree granting function?

No, they are independent. You can attend your department degree granting function or the Spring session of the Convocation in February whichever is scheduled first after you complete the graduation requirements.

5. When will I get my degree?

As is usual, your degree will be awarded soon after you complete your degree requirements, either in the department degree granting function in August, or in the Spring session of the convocation held in February next year (subject to clearance of all dues).

6. Why two events: Commencement and Convocation?

A large number of students are not able to make it to the Main Convocation due to their work commitments and travel distance. Students no longer have their hostel rooms in August and they have to make arrangements for stay and travel. Monsoon rains in August are also a deterrent for some. Managing a large number of students for degree awarding and felicitation photo-op is becoming increasingly challenging for the institute. The degree granting functions will now take place in department organised events in the third week of August. The Spring session of the convocation which is held in February will continue to be held in its present form.

7. How many Commencement events can I attend?

Only one. If you attend this Commencement (eg. 2026) and if you do not get the degree in the upcoming Convocation (i.e.August 2026 or February 2027), you will not be able to attend any of the future Commencements (eg.May 2027).

8. I plan to submit my PhD pre-syn in May (or soon after), do I need to wait till the Commencement next year?

Not necessary. If your supervisor can certify that you are likely to submit the thesis by the date as applicable for main convocation, please ask them to login to my.iitb.ac.in and “Add override” against your name. After this, you will be able to register and attend Commencement 2026. Decision to add an override is entirely at the discretion of the supervisor.

Dress Code

• Ladies : White Sari or Salwar–Kurta

• Gents : White Kurta–Pyjama or – Dhoti

• Colour coded uttariya (Red for Ph.D., Blue for Masters & Green for Undergraduates)

• Footwear : Formal/traditional shoes or sandals (hawai slippers or casuals not permitted)

Other rules

1. Following are mandatory for students during Commencement 2026.

   • Online Registration

   • “Commencement Entry Pass” downloaded from ASC portal.

   • IIT Bombay Student ID card

   • Recommended dress code with Uttariya

2. During registration, you have to provide names of Visitors (parents, family, friends) who will be your guests on the day of the Commencement. Note that there is no provision for providing accommodation to the visitors.

3. Download the “Commencement Entry Pass” for self and accompanying parents/guests (one QR Coded pass per accompanying person) and share the PDF or a screenshot with your parent/guests. They have to show the pass on a printout or on a mobile, along with their Govt. recognised photo ID card at the campus gates, for entry and exit during 1^st & 2^nd May 2026.

4. For the Morning Session, students/Parents/Guests are instructed to report at the Convocation Hall from 9:45 am onwards. The entry to the Convocation Hall will be closed at 10:40 a.m. sharp.

5. Once the seats in the Convocation Hall are full, the Students/Parents/Guests will be advised to proceed to LHC (LA001/ LA 002)/ PC Saxena Auditorium and participate in the Morning Session by watching the live streaming of the event.

6. The Lunch arrangements for the Parents/ guests are being done in respective student Hostels.

7. For the Afternoon Session, students/Parents/Guests are advised to start from the Hostel in time to reach the Convocation Hall as per the schedule. You will be allowed to enter the Convocation Hall only as per the time slot allotted to your Department. The detailed schedule shall be uploaded on the Academic webpage ( https://acad.iitb.ac.in/commencement ).

8. Personal photography or video recording will not be permitted inside the convocation hall. Institute has arranged for professional photographers and Photos will be made available to the students free of charge. Students can also take pictures at selfie points.