The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), in association with the IIST Alumni Association (IISTAA), hosted a vibrant Alumni Meet on , coinciding with India’s 80th Independence Day, bringing together more than 50 alumni from different graduating batches along with students, faculty members and Institute leadership. The programme celebrated the enduring bond between IIST and its alumni community through meaningful interactions with the Vice Chancellor, Pro Vice Chancellor, Deans and faculty members, as well as alumni–student engagements, an Alumni Unconference, the Ignite session, student-club interactions and a cultural programme. For the first time, the IIST Alumni Association presented the IISTAA Alumni Awards, recognising outstanding student contributions, with the B.Tech Community Builder Award presented to Shreya Pagadakula and the M.Tech Innovator Award conferred on Gnaneshwaran A S for their exemplary contributions. The new IIST Alumni ID Card design was also unveiled, marking another step towards strengthening the identity and connection of the growing alumni community. A major highlight of the day was the inauguration of the newly constructed IIST Alumni Association Office by the Vice Chancellor and Pro Vice Chancellor, providing a dedicated space for alumni engagement and activities. The 11th edition of Ignite featured inspiring talks by Raghava K, Founder & CEO of Sanyark Space; Dr. Elizabeth George, Co-founder of XARK Technologies; and Aswin Jacob Thomas, Associate Vice President at InspeCity, who shared valuable insights into entrepreneurship, startups and the emerging Indian space-tech ecosystem. Alumni–student interactions and student-club engagements created valuable opportunities for mentorship, collaboration and knowledge sharing, while a specially curated orientation programme enabled newly joined first-year students to connect with the wider IIST community. The day concluded with a vibrant cultural programme organised by the students, showcasing their talent and enthusiasm while celebrating the shared memories and legacy of IIST. The Alumni Meet reaffirmed that the relationship between an institution and its alumni extends far beyond graduation, evolving through mentorship, knowledge sharing, collaboration, friendship and a shared commitment to giving back. The memorable Independence Day celebration marked another significant milestone in building a stronger, more vibrant and connected IIST alumni community and IIST family across generations.