Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata

2026-04-22T05:05:58Z

115.70.164.109:

{{Short description|Research Institute in West Bengal, India}}
{{promotional|date=April 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox university
| name = Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata
| image = IISER-K Logo.svg
| image_size =
| motto = Towards Excellence in Science
| mottoeng =
| established = {{circa|{{start date and age|2006}}}}
| affiliation = [[Institutes of National Importance]]
| type = [[Public university]]
| budget = {{INRConvert|185.62|c}}<br />{{small|([[Fiscal year|FY]]2024–25 est.)}}<ref name=nirf_stud/>
| chairman = Arvind A. Natu<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sakaltimes.com/pune/prof-arvind-natu-nominated-new-chairman-bog-iiser-kolkata-33109|title=Dr. Arvind Natu Nominated as Chair of Board of Governors of IISER Kolkata|date=20 March 2019|work=sakaltimes.com|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref>
| director = Sunil Kumar Khare
| academic_staff = 128 ({{small|2025}})<ref name=nirf_stud>{{cite web |title=NIRF 2026 |url=https://www.iiserkol.ac.in/web/assets/images/ck_editor_image/1776418238_nifr_2026.pdf|publisher=IISER Kolkata}}</ref>
| students = 1,791 ({{small|2025}})<ref name=nirf_stud/>
| undergrad = 1,050 ({{small|2025}})<ref name=nirf_stud/>
| postgrad = 139 ({{small|2025}})<ref name=nirf_stud/>
| doctoral = 602 ({{small|2025}})<ref name=nirf_stud/>
| city = [[Mohanpur, Nadia|Mohanpur]]
| state = [[West Bengal]]
| country = India
| coor = {{Coord|22|57|49.83|N|88|30|55.76|E|region:IN-WB_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| campus = [[Urban area|Semi Urban]]<br />{{convert|250|acre|ha}}
| colours = {{color box|Blue}} {{color box|White}} Blue, white
| website = {{Official URL}}
| logo = IISER Kolkata Wardmark Logo.svg
|}}
[[File:The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh laying the foundation stone for Kolkata Campus of the Indian Institute of Science, Education & Research in Kolkata on July 11, 2006.jpg|thumb|Former Prime Minister, [[Manmohan Singh|Dr. Manmohan Singh]] laying the foundation stone for Kolkata Campus of the Institute]]
{| class="infobox" style="width:22em;"
! style="white-space: nowrap; background:#3A9BDC; text-align:center;color:white;padding:.2em;"| Directors
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
* [[Sushanta Kumar Dattagupta]], 2006–2012
* [[Rabindranath Mukherjee]], 2012–2017
* [[Sourav Pal]], 2017–2022
* Prasanta K. Panigrahi ''(acting)'', 2022–2023
* [[Soumitro Banerjee]] ''(acting)'', 2023–2024
* Sunil Kumar Khare, 2024–present
|}

'''Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata''' (known as '''IISERK''' or '''IISER Kolkata''') is a [[Public university|public]] [[Autonomous university|autonomous]] [[research institute]] in science and education field located in [[Mohanpur, Nadia|Mohanpur]] near the town of [[Kalyani, West Bengal|Kalyani]] in [[Nadia, West Bengal]], India. It was established by the [[Ministry of Education (India)|Ministry of Education, Government of India]] on 11 July 2006 and promoted to the status of an Institute of National Importance in 2012 vide the NIT Amendment Act.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iiserkol.ac.in/images/iiserk/announcements/nit_amendment_act_2012.pdf|title=NIT Amendment Act, 2012|access-date=6 May 2020|archive-date=26 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926204532/http://www.iiserkol.ac.in/images/iiserk/announcements/nit_amendment_act_2012.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is one of seven [[Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research]], and was one of the first IISERs to be established along with IISER Pune. It is considered to be one of the leading institutes of India in terms of research output. In 2022, it was ranked fourth among the academic institutions in India by the [[Nature Index]] in 2022.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nature.com/nature-index/annual-tables/2022/institution/academic/all/countries-India|title=2022 tables: Institutions - academic | Annual tables | Nature Index|website=www.nature.com}}</ref> The current director of IISER Kolkata is Prof Sunil Kumar Khare.

[[File:IISER Kolkata Entrance.jpg|thumb|Entrance of IISER, Kolkata]]

== History ==

The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), including the Kolkata campus, originated from a 2005 recommendation by the Prime Minister's Science Advisory Council, chaired by Prof. [[C. N. R. Rao]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=RAMACHANDRAN |first=R |date=22 April 2005 |title=Whither science research? |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/magazine/issue/vol22-08 |journal=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]] |volume=22 |issue=8 |pages=26 |issn=0970-1710 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314050636/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=20050422000903900.htm&date=fl2208/&prd=fline& |archive-date=14 Mar 2007}}</ref> The council proposed establishing these institutions to cultivate excellence in basic sciences at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, integrating research and education.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 September 2005 |title=PM CLEARS NEW INSTITUTES OF SCIENCE IN PUNE AND KOLKATA |url=http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page.asp?relid=12305 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516100149/http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page.asp?relid=12305 |archive-date=16 May 2006 |access-date=28 September 2005 |work=[[Press Information Bureau]]}}</ref> The initial plan included IISERs in Kolkata and other locations, with each receiving an estimated ₹500 crore over five years for development, encompassing building construction and faculty recruitment.<ref name="www.ias.ac.in">{{Cite web |last1=Narayanasami |first1=Sathyamurthy |last2=Bandyopadhyay |first2=Ritajyoti |date=20 May 2018 |title=The Story of IISERs |url=https://www.ias.ac.in/public/Resources/Other_Publications/e-Publications/008/The_Story_of_IISERs.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629230902/https://www.ias.ac.in/public/Resources/Other_Publications/e-Publications/008/The_Story_of_IISERs.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2023 |access-date=20 May 2018 |website=[[Indian Academy of Sciences]]}}</ref>

=== Planning and Formation ===
Following the 2005 recommendation, a committee—including Dr. [[Swaminathan Sivaram|S. Sivaram]], Prof. [[Padmanabhan Balaram|P. Balaram]], Mr. Sudip Banerjee, Prof. [[Sanjay Govind Dhande|Sanjay Dhande]], and Prof. [[Sushanta Kumar Dattagupta|Sushanta Dattagupta]]—was formed on March 18, 2005,<ref name="www.ias.ac.in"/> to develop a charter and define objectives and implementation strategies for the IISERs. A separate local committee for IISER Kolkata convened on September 14, 2005, and a feasibility report was submitted to the Planning Commission on July 20, 2005. The IISERs, including IISER Kolkata, were formally established by the Science Education and Research (Amendment) Act, 2010, and granted Institutes of National Importance status in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shinde Gole |first=Swati |date=23 Aug 2011 |title=IISER graduates to get formal degrees |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/iiser-graduates-to-get-formal-degrees/articleshow/9701846.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250630160905/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/iiser-graduates-to-get-formal-degrees/articleshow/9701846.cms |archive-date=30 June 2025 |access-date=23 Aug 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] Aug 23, 2011, 04.41 AM IST}}</ref> IISER Kolkata initially operated from temporary campuses at IIT Kharagpur's Salt Lake campus and then a second temporary location before establishing its permanent campus.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Feb 2009 |title=IISER Kolkata Annual Report 2009-10 |url=https://www.iiserkol.ac.in/static/images/iiserk/reports/annual-report-2009-10.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721024221/https://www.iiserkol.ac.in/static/images/iiserk/reports/annual-report-2009-10.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2024 |access-date=28 Feb 2009 |website=IISER Kolkata}}</ref>

== Campus ==
The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata is located on a 201-acre campus in Mohanpur, West Bengal, approximately 50 kilometers north of Kolkata. The campus features modern facilities designed to support its integrated approach to science education and research. Student housing is provided in three hostels: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Hall, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Hall, and Nivedita Hall. The campus also includes advanced research laboratories. In 2022, IISER Kolkata was ranked fourth among Indian academic institutions by the Nature Index.<ref name="www.iiserkol.ac.in">{{Cite web |date=31 Jan 2007 |title=IISER Kolkata Annual Report 2006-07 |url=https://www.iiserkol.ac.in/static/images/iiserk/reports/report20067.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719222653/https://www.iiserkol.ac.in/static/images/iiserk/reports/report20067.pdf |archive-date=19 July 2024 |access-date=31 Jan 2007 |website=IISER Kolkata}}</ref>

== Organisation and administration ==
[[File:Administrative Block, IISER, Kolkata in Kalyani campus 08.jpg|thumb|Administrative Building of IISER, Kolkata in Kalyani campus]]

The institute hosts the multi-institutional Center of Excellence in Space Sciences India<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cessi.in/|title=Center of Excellence in Space Sciences India|first=Center of Excellence in Space Sciences|last=India|website=Center of Excellence in Space Sciences India}}</ref> (CESSI) with participating scientists from ISRO and other astronomy institutes and is involved in research associated with national space science missions. Other centres<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iiserkol.ac.in/web/en/research/centers-iiser-kolkata/#gsc.tab=0|title=IISER Kolkata - Centers at IISER Kolkata|website=www.iiserkol.ac.in}}</ref> include the Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, National Centre for High Pressure Studies and a Centre for Climate and Environment Studies. It also has a field station for ecological, environmental and field studies, a greenhouse, a broadband seismological observatory. The institute jointly runs the Göttingen-Kolkata: Open shell systems (G-KOSS) in fundamentals of molecular spintronics with [[University of Göttingen]].<ref>[http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/195215.html Georg-August-Universität Göttingen - Göttingen-Kolkata: G-KOSS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218040138/http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/195215.html |date=18 December 2014 }}. Uni-goettingen.de (2013-07-07). Retrieved on 2013-10-09.</ref>

=== Recent Developments ===
The Dirac [[Supercomputer]], inaugurated in April 2019, is a [[high-performance computing]] (HPC) facility located at the institute. Named after the renowned physicist [[Paul Dirac]], this supercomputer was officially launched on April 17, 2019, marking a significant advancement in [[Computational science|computational]] research capabilities in India. It was established to support the advanced computational needs of researchers across various disciplines. It delivers a total performance of 78.8 [[FLOPS|Teraflops]], comprising 60 teraflops from its [[central processing unit]] (CPU) and an additional 18.8 teraflops from its [[graphics processing unit]]s (GPUs).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iiserkol.ac.in/~dirac/index.html|title=Dirac Supercomputer|website=www.iiserkol.ac.in|access-date=6 May 2020}}</ref>

The institute is actively planning to advance [[Disease Management|disease management]] through [[interdisciplinary research]] and collaborations. In light of the challenges posed by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the institute is prioritizing research that addresses both immediate and long-term health concerns. This includes studying [[infectious diseases]] and developing effective management strategies. The institute is also looking to involve the community in its research efforts, ensuring that the findings can be translated into practical applications that benefit public health.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chaudhuri |first=Subhasish |date=24 June 2024 |title=Indian Institute of Science Education and Research-Kolkata plans disease management |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/indian-institute-of-science-education-and-research-kolkata-plans-disease-management/cid/2029158 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624052552/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/indian-institute-of-science-education-and-research-kolkata-plans-disease-management/cid/2029158 |archive-date=24 June 2024 |access-date=24 June 2024 |work=[[The Telegraph (India)]]}}</ref>

On July 11, 2025, a new BS-MS program in Computational and Data Sciences was launched by former aerospace scientist [[G. Satheesh Reddy]] for the recently established Department of Computational and Data Sciences (CDS) at the institute.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Niyogi |first=Subhro |date=12 July 2025 |title=Ex-DRDO chief calls for defence tech boost |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/ex-drdo-chief-calls-for-defence-tech-boost/articleshowprint/122394299.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250713123913/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/ex-drdo-chief-calls-for-defence-tech-boost/articleshowprint/122394299.cms |archive-date=13 July 2025 |access-date=12 July 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]] Jul 12, 2025, 12.22 AM IST |location=[[Kolkata]]}}</ref>

== Academics ==
IISER Kolkata is a premier public autonomous research institute established in 2006. Dedicated to integrating science education with cutting-edge research, it has grown into a leading institution. Institute boasts a highly qualified and experienced faculty, many of whom have completed their PhDs and post-docs at reputed institutions both in India and abroad, such as [[Indian Institutes of Technology|IITs]], [[Indian Institute of Science|IISc]], [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]], [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]], and [[UC Berkeley]]. The faculty are actively involved in research and have published extensively in top international journals.
IISER Kolkata offers a robust academic framework, with programs designed to integrate education with research, preparing students for global scientific challenges.<ref name="www.iiserkol.ac.in"/>

=== Academic programmes ===
IISER Kolkata offers two undergraduate programs, both designed to provide students with a rigorous scientific education and research experience, preparing them for advanced studies and careers in academia, research, and industry. It offers a 5-year BS-MS in [[biological sciences]], [[chemical sciences]], [[Geological Sciences|geological sciences]], [[mathematical sciences]] and [[Physical Sciences]], plus a new [[Computational]] & [[Data science|Data Sciences]] program.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chaudhuri |first=Subhasish |date=9 Mar 2025 |title=IISER-K launches new 5-year BS-MS dual course |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/indian-institute-of-science-education-and-research-kolkata-launches-new-5-year-bs-ms-dual-course-prnt/cid/2087902 |access-date=9 Mar 2025 |work=[[The Telegraph (India)]]}}</ref> Postgraduate options include [[M.Sc.]] in 3 programmes including Mathematics and [[Sustainability science|Sustainable Science]] and MS by Research in Biological Sciences, [[Space physics|Space Physics]], while doctoral programs cover Integrated PhD in 3 programmes, [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] in 8 programmes including [[Humanities, arts, and social sciences|Humanities and Social Sciences]] and [[Space Sciences]] and [[Doctorate#Post|Post Doctoral Research Programme]] in various sciences.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chatterjee |first=Roushan |date=1 July 2025 |title=Convocation and Innovation at IISER |url=https://epaper.thestatesman.com/4027360/Kolkata-The-Statesman/1ST-JULY-2025#page/1/1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://dn721700.ca.archive.org/0/items/convocation-and-innovation-at-iiser-kolkata/Convocation%20and%20Innovation%20at%20IISER%20Kolkata.jpg |archive-date=1 July 2025 |access-date=1 July 2025 |work=[[The Statesman (India)]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Marar |first=Anjali |date=13 May 2022 |title=In a first, IISERs Pune & Kolkata to roll out MSc courses |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/in-a-first-iisers-pune-kolkata-to-roll-out-msc-courses-7915148/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513112143/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/in-a-first-iisers-pune-kolkata-to-roll-out-msc-courses-7915148/ |archive-date=13 May 2022 |access-date=13 May 2022 |work=[[The Indian Express]] May 13, 2022 19:34 IST}}</ref>
Admission is through the [[IISER Aptitude Test]] (IAT), with additional historical channels like KVPY and JEE Advanced, though IAT is the primary mode for 2025.
Both programmes align with the [[National Education Policy 2020|National Education Policy (NEP) 2020]], offering multiple exit options, such as a BS degree after four years, though the full 5-year progrme is recommended for comprehensive research experience.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chhapia |first=Hemali |date=20 April 2024 |title=IISERs will not accept JEE sco;e, science institutes to conduct their own entrance test |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/iisers-to-conduct-own-entrance-test-will-not-accept-jee-score/articleshow/109438329.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420020934/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/iisers-to-conduct-own-entrance-test-will-not-accept-jee-score/articleshow/109438329.cms |archive-date=20 April 2024 |access-date=20 April 2024 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

=== Departments ===
The institute has seven academic departments
{{clear}}

{| style="border:1px solid #ddd; background:#fefefe; padding:3px; margin:0; margin:auto;"
|+ style="font-size: 100%" | '''Departments of IISER, Kolkata'''
|- style="vertical-align:top; font-size:90%;"
|
* Biological Sciences
* Chemical Sciences
|
* Computational and Data Sciences
* Earth Sciences
|
* Humanities and Social Sciences
* Mathematics and Statistics
* Physical Sciences

|}

=== Research centers ===
* Centre for Advanced Functional Materials (CAFM)
* Centre for Climate and Environmental Studies (CCES)
* Center of Excellence in Space Sciences India (CESSI)
* National Centre for High Pressure Studies (NCHPS)
* Center for Artificial Intelligence (CFAI)

===Advanced Laboratories ===
Institute equipped with cutting-edge instruments like CHN Analyser, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation (MALDI), essential for hands-on learning and research.

=== Rankings and Reputation ===
It was ranked fourth among the academic institutions in India by the [[Nature Index]] in the 2022 tables,<ref name=":0" /> and thirteenth in the 2023 tables.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-29 |title=Institution tables {{!}} Nature Index |url=https://www.nature.com/nature-index/institution-outputs/generate/all/countries-India/academic |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=www.nature.com |language=en}}</ref>
Internationally, the institute was ranked 251–300 among institutes in emerging economies, by the ''[[Times Higher Education]]''{{'s}} "Emerging Economies University Rankings 2022".<ref name="Rankings_THES_E_2022" />
In India, the [[National Institutional Ranking Framework]] (NIRF) ranked the institute 61 overall in 2024 and 38 among research institutes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NIRF 2024 |url=https://www.nirfindia.org/nirfpdfcdn/2024/pdf/Report/IR2024_Report.pdf}}</ref>

{{Infobox India university ranking
| type = University
| THES_E_2022 = 251–300
|NIRF_O_2024=61|NIRF_R_2024=38}}

==Events==
The college organizes a major annual festival, Inquivesta,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inquivesta.iiserkol.ac.in/ |title=Inquivesta Home Page |publisher=Inquivesta.iiserkol.ac.in |access-date=2020-05-06}}</ref> which is promoted as one of the first and the biggest science festivals of the country.<ref>https://www.inquivesta.com/brochure.html{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Inquivesta sees a footfall of 6000+, and has been visited by artists such as Mohammed Irfan (Singer), Frozt (DJ), Waves in Town (Band), [[Zakir Khan (comedian)]], [[Sapan Verma]], Nalayak (band) and Anubhav Singh Bassi. It has also received brands such as [[Baskin-Robbins]] and [[Domino's Pizza]] as its previous partners <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.inquivesta.com/brochure.html |title=Home |publisher=Inquivesta.com |access-date=2020-05-06 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.inquivesta.com/sponsors.html |title=Sponsors |publisher=Inquivesta.com |access-date=2020-05-06 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
IISER Kolkata has also been hosting VIJYOSHI (the national science camp), along with IISc Bangalore and the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, since 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vijyoshi.iiserkol.ac.in/|title=Vijyoshi 2019|website=vijyoshi.iiserkol.ac.in}}</ref>

The institute also has an E-Cell<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ecelliiserk.com/ |title=E-Cell IISERK Home Page |publisher=ecelliiserk.com |access-date=2021-11-24 |archive-date=30 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230112648/https://ecelliiserk.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> for promoting an entrepreneurial culture in the student body.

==See also==
* [[IISER Aptitude Test]]
* [[List of universities in India]]
* [[List of autonomous higher education institutes in India]]
* [[List of Institutes of National Importance]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons-inline}}
* {{official website|http://www.iiserkol.ac.in/}}

{{IISER}}
{{Scientific Research in West Bengal}}
{{Universities in West Bengal}}
{{Nadia topics}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Indian Institute Of Science Education and Research Kolkata}}
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Research institutes in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research|Kolkata, Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research]]
[[Category:Biological research institutes]]
[[Category:Chemical research institutes]]
[[Category:Physics research institutes]]
[[Category:Scientific organisations based in India]]
[[Category:Research institutes established in 2006]]
[[Category:Materials science institutes]]
[[Category:2006 establishments in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Education research institutes]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 2006]]
[[Category:Kalyani, West Bengal]]

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Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata