Overview

Although IISc was conceived by JamsetjiNusserwanji Tata, a successful businessman and philanthropist, in the late 1800s, it came into existence in 1909, that is 5 years after his demise, through a vesting order passed by the Govt. of India with the help of Mysore royal family’s donation of 371 acres of land. In 2009, IISc went on to acquire a new campus in Challakere taluk in Chitradurga district in Karnataka. The 1500 acre campus, recognized as a Center for Excellence by the Govt. of India, is a flagship project offering a training programme for rural science and mathematics school and college teachers.

Academic Performance

Having started with only two departments- Electrical Technology and General & Applied Chemistry, IISc today has more than 40 departments collectively under 6 divisions namely Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Mechanical Sciences, Electrical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research.

It aims to be one of the foremost academic institutions in the world through its pursuit of excellence in research, and by promoting innovation that offers world-class education. The main objective has been to train leaders of the future in science & technology. And apply its breakthroughs in science and technology towards wealth creation and facilitate social welfare in India. Around 4000 students are enrolled in various postgraduate and Ph.D. programmes, along with a dedicated 4-year undergraduate programme which aims to provide research-oriented training to young students in the basic sciences.

Research & Development

The research output from IISc is diverse, multidisciplinary, transcends traditional boundaries. Some of its featured research follow:

  • A novel method for live imaging on influenza infection.
  • Robust nanostructures for EMI shielding.
  • Self-supervised methods to perceive humans in the 3D world.
  • Beetroot as a biocontrol in mixed-cropping systems.
  • Making robots flexible.
  • Temporary tattoo sensor to monitor pulse and respiration rate.
  • Eye gaze-controlled robotic arm for the speech and motor-impaired.
  • Hardness prediction from microstructures using machine learning.
  • A step closer towards a more effective treatment for osteoarthritis.
  • A green separation method capable of giving high purity components.
  • Role of respiratory droplets during COVID-19.
  • Nanomaterials as broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents.
And the list goes on!

Notable Alumni

Indian second highest civilian award awardee from 2016, Padma Vibhushan Dr. V.K. Atre, former head of Defence Research and Development Organisation and then Scientific Advisor to India’s Defence Minister has a master’s degree from IISc, Bangalore in 1963. Padma Vibhushan Dr.Rajagopala Chidambaram the Indian Physicist who played an integral role in India’s nuclear weapons program and coordinated the Pokhran-I and II tests was awarded his Ph.D. in 1962 by IISc, Bangalore. Padma Shri Sudha Murthy, the Indian engineering teacher, Kannada, Marathi and English author and the social worker, the chairperson of Infosys Foundation and the spouse of Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy completed M.Eng. in Computer Science from IISc, Bangalore. Kailasavadivoo Sivan, under whose chairmanship ISRO launched Chandrayaan 2, got his M.E. in aerospace engineering from IISc, Bangalore in 1982. RituKaridhal Srivastava, referred to as “Rocket Woman” of India, who in 2007 received the ISRO young scientist award from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the then president of India, pursued masters in aerospace engineering from IISc, Bangalore.