About IISc

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, is India’s premier institute for advanced scientific and technological research and education, often referred to as the “Tata Institute” due to its origins. Conceived in the late 19th century by industrialist Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, inspired by a meeting with Swami Vivekananda in 1893, IISc was established in 1909 through a partnership with the Government of India and the Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, who donated 371 acres of land. Despite Tata’s death in 1904, the institute came to life under the leadership of its first director, Morris Travers, with initial departments in General and Applied Chemistry and Electrical Technology. Sir C.V. Raman, a Nobel Laureate, became its first Indian director in 1933, establishing the Physics Department and cementing IISc’s research legacy. Over the decades, IISc has grown to over 40 departments across six divisions—Biological, Chemical, Electrical, Interdisciplinary, Mechanical, and Physical-Mathematical Sciences—contributing to India’s scientific advancements, including the establishment of institutions like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) through alumni like Vikram Sarabhai and Homi Bhabha, respectively.

Globally, IISc consistently ranked among India’s top institutions and recognized worldwide. In the 2025–2026 US News Best Global Universities rankings, IISc topped Indian institutions with a global rank of 633 and 181 in Asia, excelling in research-focused metrics. It scored a perfect 100/100 in Citations per Faculty in the QS World University Rankings, earning the title of the world’s top research university in this metric, and ranked eighth globally among small universities (under 5,000 students) in the 2017 Times Higher Education rankings. In 2018, IISc was designated an Institute of Eminence by the Government of India, underscoring its pre-eminence. With 94 scientists listed in a global database of top 100,000 researchers, IISc holds the top position in India and 353 globally, reflecting its research prowess in fields like aerospace, nanotechnology, and biological sciences.

Leadership at IISc has been defined by visionaries who shaped its trajectory. After Morris Travers, Sir C.V. Raman’s tenure (1933–1937) marked a scientific milestone, followed by J.C. Ghosh (1939–1948), who initiated engineering programs, and Satish Dhawan (1962–1981), whose leadership expanded research diversity and strengthened ISRO. The current director, Prof. Govindan Rangarajan, a JC Bose National Fellow and expert in nonlinear dynamics, fostering interdisciplinary programs like the Indo-French Centre for Applied Mathematics. IISc’s faculty and alumni, including luminaries like Prof. CNR Rao and Sudha Murthy, have led major organizations globally, reinforcing its role as a cradle of scientific leadership. Spanning 440 acres, IISc’s residential campus, with its J.R.D. Tata Memorial Library and vibrant ecosystem, continues to attract top talent, driving innovation and societal impact while maintaining its commitment to advancing India’s material and industrial welfare.