Kotak-IIT Madras Energy Mission Crosses 500 Audits, Helping MSMEs Save ₹96 Crore and Cut 1.23 Lakh Tonnes of CO₂ Emissions
KISEM expands to 10 IIT centres nationwide, emerging as one of India’s largest bank-funded industrial decarbonisation programmes
inn/chennai,@infodeaofficial
Chennai, June 4, 2026: In a significant boost to India’s industrial sustainability efforts, the Kotak-IIT Madras Save Energy Mission (KISEM) has surpassed 500 industrial energy audits across the country, delivering substantial cost savings and carbon emission reductions for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Launched in September 2022 as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by Kotak Mahindra Bank in partnership with IIT Madras, KISEM has evolved into one of India’s largest bank-funded industrial decarbonisation programmes. The initiative has now expanded into a nationwide network of ten IIT centres, strengthening its ability to support industries in improving energy efficiency and reducing their carbon footprint.
Remarkable Impact Across Indian Industries
Since its inception, KISEM has completed more than 509 energy audits across 30 industrial sectors, generating annual cost savings of over ₹96 crore for MSMEs. The programme has also contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1,23,594 metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalent every year.
The mission has issued 5,850 energy-saving recommendations to participating industries. Experts estimate that if all recommendations are fully implemented, businesses could unlock additional annual savings exceeding ₹404 crore while significantly accelerating India’s industrial decarbonisation goals.
Nationwide Expansion Through a Multi-IIT Network
KISEM operates on a hub-and-spoke model led by IIT Madras, with active participation from IIT Bombay, IIT Indore, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Ropar, IIT Kanpur, IIT Jodhpur, and IIT Kharagpur.
The addition of new centres under Phase 3 has enabled the programme to scale rapidly and expand its reach across diverse manufacturing sectors throughout India.
Supporting India’s Net-Zero and Energy Efficiency Goals
The programme’s growth aligns with India’s broader industrial decarbonisation agenda. A major milestone was achieved when all seven existing KISEM centres were empanelled under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s (BEE) ADEETIE scheme. This recognition allows KISEM auditors to conduct government-accredited, investment-grade energy audits that help MSMEs make informed energy-efficiency investments.
KISEM currently includes two BEE Accredited Energy Auditors and eleven Certified Energy Auditors, enhancing the programme’s technical expertise and credibility.
Expanding Beyond MSMEs
Building on its success with MSMEs, KISEM has begun offering comprehensive net-zero consulting services to large industries and multinational corporations. The programme follows a three-stage approach involving baseline energy assessments, solution identification and scaling, and long-term implementation support.
In a recent landmark project, KISEM successfully completed a comprehensive net-zero audit covering all 24 dairy manufacturing facilities of a leading agro-products company, demonstrating its growing role in supporting large-scale industrial sustainability initiatives.
Technology-Driven Energy Audits
One of KISEM’s standout innovations is its proprietary digital energy audit platform—the first of its kind in India. The platform standardises and digitises energy assessment studies across manufacturing units, commercial buildings, and bulk energy consumers, enabling faster and more accurate audits.
The platform supports multiple assessment categories, including detailed energy audits, greenhouse gas emission studies, energy-efficiency technology assessments, techno-economic evaluations, and measurement and verification audits.
IIT Madras Driving Sustainable Innovation
The initiative reflects IIT Madras’ continued leadership in sustainability, innovation, and industry collaboration. Recognised as India’s top-ranked educational institution for seven consecutive years in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Overall Rankings, IIT Madras continues to develop impactful solutions that address national challenges in energy, climate change, and industrial development.
As India advances toward its net-zero commitments, KISEM demonstrates how academia, industry, and corporate social responsibility can work together to create measurable environmental and economic benefits for businesses across the country.