XLRI Delhi-NCR, ATS India Launch A Dedicated Automobile Design School

XLRI Delhi-NCR has entered into a strategic partnership with Automotive Test Systems (ATS) India to establish the Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA), the country's first school dedicated to automobile design and management. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Avik Chattopadhyay, Chairperson of the XLRI Centre for Automobile Design & Management (XADM) and Founder of INDEA, and S. Ramanathan, Managing Director of ATS India. Under the MoU, ATS will take on full responsibility for the project management of the design studio and prototyping facility at INDEA, overseeing everything from defining the infrastructure requirements to commissioning the facility.

ATS will provide expertise in setting up both the physical and technological infrastructure needed for the design school, including the procurement of essential software, hardware, equipment, and civil utilities such as electricity and water supply. The agreement also encompasses long-term maintenance contracts and collaboration with top-tier vendors and partners to ensure the facility's sustained success.

Avik Chattopadhyay, Chairperson - XADM and Founder – INDEA said, “To create a global benchmark, one needs the best domain experts and we at XADM are privileged to have ATS as one at the initial stages of the setting up of India's first dedicated automobile design school. They will get the best from across the world for the design and prototyping facilities that are core to the school. Ramanathan and the ATS team share our dream and commitment towards building a world-class institution."

INDEA, operating under the XADM at XLRI’s Delhi-NCR campus, aims to set new standards in automotive design and management education in India. It will offer a master’s program focused on automotive and transportation design, combining practical, hands-on learning with industry-relevant training. The curriculum will cover design, prototyping, and design management, all to foster innovation within the Indian automotive industry.

S. Ramanathan, MD of ATS India said, “The setting up of the state-of-the-art centre focusing on Automotive Design Management by XLRI is a first in India. It’ll allow the students to learn the nuances of designing and developing as well as managing an automotive ‘protoshop’. They’ll get to learn design management, parts manufacturing, vehicle integration as well as basic testing and validation. It will benefit the industry in a big way, especially start-ups who can come & use these facilities for their product development. We expect this project to set up a great example of industry-academia collaboration in the automotive space and are happy to be associated with such a prestigious project."

In line with India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, INDEA’s focus will be on fostering local talent and enabling the creation of world-class automotive products within the country. The school’s curriculum will emphasise sustainable and inclusive mobility solutions, aiming to position India as a leader in global automotive design. Students will gain access to industry experts and advanced prototyping technologies, preparing them to tackle real-world challenges and contribute to the future of mobility.