Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, has deepened its commitment to advancing technology education and research with the launch of the ‘Axis Bank FutureTech CSR Initiative’ at Plaksha University. The cornerstone of the Bank’s commitment is the establishment of the ‘Axis Bank FutureTech Building’, a state-of-the-art facility designed to foster experiential learning, interdisciplinary research, and enhance collaboration between industry and academia. This multi-year partnership underscores Axis Bank’s role as an early advocate of Plaksha University’s vision to reimagine higher education in India. It also highlights the Bank’s contribution to the development of frontier technologies in the emerging technology hub of the Chandigarh tri-city region, thereby reinforcing its support for ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.
This new infrastructure on the university campus aims to play a pivotal role in piloting cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research and innovation, driving industry-academia collaboration and becoming a hub for knowledge exchange. The building shall house the Institute for Inventing the Future and the School of AI & Computer Science, as well as other advanced labs.
The Axis Bank FutureTech CSR Initiative shall also support the University’s long-term institutional growth, enabling Plaksha to focus on interdisciplinary learning, experimentation, and innovation at scale. As a part of the collaboration, the Bank shall also support in the following areas –
• Establishing the Axis Distinguished Faculty Chair: The named Chair shall focus on interdisciplinary research in the domain of “AI + X”.
• Academic Programs & Innovation Projects: Supporting programs and projects by faculty and students, focused on AI, robotics, blockchain, and other frontier technologies.
• Fellowships and Scholarships: Supporting PhD fellowships and scholarships for undergraduate students, enabling the development of India’s next generation of deep-tech innovators.
• Global Collaborations and Knowledge Exchange: Enabling partnerships with top international institutions for faculty and student exchanges, joint research, and shared learning in frontier technologies.
During the launch event, Mr. Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing Director and CEO, Axis Bank, said, “At Axis Bank, we believe that innovation is a national imperative. The FutureTech Building is more than just bricks and mortar—it is a symbol of Axis Bank’s commitment to nurturing innovation, fostering collaboration, and investing in the future of India’s tech talent. Our sustained partnership with Plaksha University is aligned with our conviction that India must nurture world-class research and education ecosystems. By supporting research, scholarships, PhD fellowships, and cutting-edge infrastructure, we are enabling a pipeline of talent that will lead breakthroughs in AI, deep-tech, and emerging technologies, driving both economic growth and societal impact.”
“This partnership represents more than financial support – a shared vision to advance India’s technology and research capabilities,” said Prof. Rudra Pratap, Founding Vice Chancellor, Plaksha University. “Axis Bank’s commitment has enabled us to build an ecosystem where students and researchers can collaborate, innovate, and translate frontier technology research into practical solutions that impact society. We are deeply grateful for their long-term belief in our mission”, he added.
Axis Bank has been among the earliest supporters of Plaksha University. Since 2021, the Axis Bank Scholarship Program has been supporting over 30 undergraduate scholars of which 16 scholars graduated as part of Plaksha’s first ever graduating class in July 2025. Axis Bank’s support demonstrates how collective giving, and strategic CSR, can help achieve India’s ambitions in research and innovation towards nation building.
