IISERs praised for improving Indian scientific research

Member of the Advisory Committee for National Security Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy presenting a gold medal to a student at IISER’s 7th convocation in Tirupati on Friday. IISER Director Prof. is also seen. Santanu Bhattacharya. | Photo credit: KV POORNACHANDRA KUMAR

Defense and aviation scientist Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy, Member, National Security Advisory Committee, Government of India, appreciated the role of India’s Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) in strengthening India’s scientific capabilities.

Statement by Dr. Reddy’s remarks were made at IISER Tirupati’s seventh convocation held on Friday (July 10, 2026) at its Yerpedu campus, which he attended as the chief guest.

Addressing the graduates, he said that over the past two decades, India has moved from a nation dependent on imported technology to one that develops and exports it.

Citing the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, he urged aspiring scientists to pursue careers in advanced research to tackle national and societal challenges to achieve this goal. “The country has made significant progress in technology development and skill enhancement. Research institutions like IISERs play an important role in strengthening India’s scientific capabilities,” he said.

Dr. Reddy also encouraged the graduates to focus on challenging problems in the field of science and come up with pioneering and innovative solutions through sustained research.

IISER Tirupati Director Prof. In his annual report, Santanu Bhattacharya said that IISER-Tirupati researchers have published 260 papers in reputed international and peer-reviewed journals during the academic year 2025-26. The institute’s total research output reached almost 1,500 publications with 25,000 citations and an h-index of 70 by the end of 2025.

“Our external research funding from agencies like DST, DBT, ICMR and Anusandhan National Research Foundation has grown to ₹ 41 crore during the academic year,” Prof Bhattacharya said, adding that the number of new patent applications filed touched 14.

C. Sayed Sahil won gold medal for BS-MS programme, Rayis TR and Siddhant Ray received silver medals while Nandana Manoj received ‘Best Student Activities in Campus’ award. The ceremony was presided over by Hari S. Bhartia, Chairman of the Board of Governors, while Registrar Inderpreet Singh Kohli also addressed the gathering.

Meanwhile, IISER Tirupati has been ranked 20th among academic and research institutions in India in the Nature Index 2026, a huge jump from the 33rd position in 2025. In Andhra Pradesh, the institute continues to maintain its position as the “top-ranked research institution”.

Published – 10 Jul 2026 20:52 IST