IIT-Madras launches protein mess to boost athletic performance
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has introduced a dedicated 'Protein Mess' to support its student-athletes, aiming to enhance their sporting performance through specialised nutrition, academic flexibility, and fitness training. Described by the institute as the first such facility among India's 23 IITs, the mess offers a rotating menu of protein-rich meals designed in consultation with professional nutritionists.
The menu includes dishes such as fish curry, chicken yakhni pulao, paneer tikka, soya chunks, mutton rogan josh, egg bhurji, sprouts, dal makhani, sweet potato, and chickpea sundal. These meals are intended to aid muscle recovery, endurance, and sustained training during intensive preparation for Inter-IIT competitions.
Previously, nutrition support was limited to a 15-day preparatory camp. Now, probable athletes and members of the institute's contingent have access to the specialised diet for three months leading up to competitions. Students pay half the cost, with the remainder covered by institutional and alumni support. However, the institute has not disclosed the number of beneficiaries, total subsidy, or the protein and calorie content of individual meals.
The protein mess is part of a broader support system that includes academic flexibility, such as attendance relaxation for tournaments, makeup examinations for missed quizzes and end-of-semester exams, as well as fitness training and psychological conditioning. Dean of Students Sathyanarayana N Gummadi stated that these measures are designed to support student-athletes representing IIT-Madras at tournaments.
Director V Kamakoti emphasised the importance of sports and the arts in developing qualities like teamwork, attention to detail, good health, and mental balance, which are essential for success in life.
In addition, IIT-Madras has introduced a sports excellence admission pathway. It became the first IIT to offer supernumerary undergraduate seats to candidates who qualify JEE Advanced and meet prescribed sporting criteria. Fourteen students joined through this route in the 2024 and 2025 admission cycles. The institute has also incorporated recreational sports into the first-year curriculum since 2024, including athletics, volleyball, basketball, and handball.
