Indian Institute of Science (IISC) Bangalore

Indian Institute of Science (IISc), situated in Bangalore, Karnataka, is India’s premier institution for advanced education and research in science and technology. Founded in 1909, IISc has gained an international reputation for its contributions in fields such as science and engineering and technology. Often referred to as the "Tata Institute" because of Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata's contribution to its foundation, it has been moulding the scientific scenario in India for more than a hundred years.

A 400-acre main campus situated in Bengaluru and a 1,500-acre second campus situated in Challakere help IISc attract brilliant minds, support interdisciplinary research, and provide innovative solutions to some global challenges. An Institute of Eminence declared in 2018, IISc maintains the pole position of academic excellence, research innovation, and societal impact. We will get into a detailed account of IISc as a key player in knowledge development and in shaping the future of science and technology in India and beyond through the discussion along these lines.

Historical Development:

The birth of the Indian Institute of Science, or IISC, owes its inception to a historic verbal exchange of 1893 between Jamsetji Tata and Swami Vivekananda aboard a ship sailing from Japan to Chicago. They talked as best they could over the necessity of a world-class scientific institution for the country, thus inspiring Tata to visualise such a centre for advanced research and education. In 1898, Tata laid the foundation by establishing an endowment to fund this dream. His vision was further aided by the Government of India and the Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV from Mysore, who donated 371 acres of land in Bengaluru toward the institute campus.

The constitution of the institute was approved by Viceroy Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound in 1909 with the assistance of Tata, the Maharaja, and Nizam Osman Ali Khan. The foundation was laid in 1911, and IISc welcomed the first batch of students in that year for courses in chemistry and electrical technology. Over the years, IISc broadened its academic horizons by starting new departments and research centres. In 1958, it was given the status of a deemed university, and in 2018, it was accorded the status of an Institute of Eminence, thus reaffirming its preeminence in higher education in India.

Some of the key milestones of the Institute include the appointment of Nobel laureate Sir C.V. Raman as its first Indian Director in 1933, whose discovery of light scattering (the Raman Effect) made him internationally famous. The year 2022 saw a 425 crore donation by which the IISc could build a postgraduate medical institute, thus proving its advancing stature. Starting small, today IISc has grown into a powerhouse with more than 40 departments and centres driving innovation and scientific discoveries.

Academic Divisions, Departments, and Centres;

Academic departments and centres within the institute are broadly classified under either the Science Faculty or the Engineering Faculty. However, for administrative purposes (namely, in recruiting, assessing, and promoting faculty), there are six divisions, each headed by a chair, that administer departments and centres. Each department or centre is managed by a chairperson.

Academic Structure and Program:

Additional Courses:

IISc provides its opportunfurtunity to the learners through various short-term accessibility projects such as Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN), National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), etc. These projects are uniquely designed for a particular community of students abroad as well as professionals.

Research Excellence:

The prolific output from IISc in terms of research publications, patents, and innovations has made it a global leader in research. Adding to its academic might includes the 93 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awardees, 114 Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Fellows, and 70 J.C. Bose National Fellows out of the total faculty. Researches are held on various disciplines with the help of state-of-the-art facilities and funding support from government agencies such as DST, DBT, CSIR, DRDO, along with private endowments.

Key Research areas include:

• Biological Sciences: Protein structure, genomics, interactions between hosts and pathogens, and neuroscience are the subjects of research. Studies conducted at the Centre for Brain Research (CBR) scale large enough for gainful insight into aging, Alzheimer's disease, and neurodegenerative disorders, therefore influencing health worldwide. 
• Chemical Sciences: Innovative methods in energy storage, carbon capture, nanotechnology, and catalysis address today's pressing environmental and industrial problems. 
• Computational and Data Sciences: Research in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and bioinformatics catalyses technical advancement. For instance, M.Tech. students have developed an AI-based tool for screening nerve disorders, demonstrating applied examples.
• Engineering Sciences: Projects in computational fluid dynamics, high-performance computing, and material engineering are key support for aerospace and manufacturing sectors. 
• Interdisciplinary Research: Centres such as the Centre for Bio-energy and Low-Carbon Technologies (C-BELT) and the Param Hansa Centre for Computational Oncology are champions for the sustainable energy solution and the healthcare sector.

The Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID) has established the various divisions relating to scientific consultancy, innovative projects, and licensing of intellectual property to support the partnership of industry. New developments included research related to COVID-19, a partnership with the Indian Air Force for defence technologies, and an association with the UK Dementia Research Institute in recent times. Other specialised facilities include the Solar Power Research Centre and Climate Observatory on the Challakere campus, adding to the research capabilities of IISc.

Campus and Infrastructure:

In the heart of Bengaluru, the IISc main campus sprawls out, covering an area of about 400 acres, housing the research and learning community in itself. It is located at a mere 6 km distance from the Bangalore City Railway Station and about 30 km from the Kempegowda Airport. Its proximity enhances the possibility of synergy and synergy with the research organisations like ISRO, Raman Research Institute, and the National Centre for Biological Sciences. The premises boast modern academic buildings, state-of-the-art laboratories, and one of the largest computing infrastructures in India, enabling cutting-edge research with high-performance supercomputing.

Students and faculty are kept contemporary with the digital library for access to thousands of e-journals, databases, and other research resources. Residential facilities comprise spacious hostels, faculty residences, and dining halls. Historic recreational activities were carried out in the Gymkhana Club, with the billiards table introduced on campus in 1925, providing just a touch of heritage to campus life. The campus is well-linked with the Namma Metro and bus networks of Bengaluru for easy commutation.

Research and training of specialised nature are conducted in the Challakere campus, which is 1,500 acres and is located in the Chitradurga district. The campus is home to the HAL-sponsored Talent Development Centre, Skill Development Centre, and solar energy and climate studies. Its rural setting allows for large-scale experiments and community-focused activities, complementing the urban Bengaluru campus.

Admission Process: Admission for the Academic Year 2025-26

Admission process at the IISc is one of the toughest in the country and is meant to screen students who are academically above par and have outstanding research potential. The application is completely online through the IISc Admission Portal with application fees of INR 800 for general candidates and INR 400 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. 

Scholarships and Financial Aid:

IISc provides a variety of scholarships and fellowships sponsored by various agencies such as CSIR, UGC, DBT, ICMR, MHRD, AICTE, and DST to students based on merit irrespective of the programme. The amount varies according to the sponsoring agency and level of study. For activating their scholarships, the students have to submit joining reports after joining.

IISc has announced the introduction of supernumeraries in M.Tech. programs under Woman Quota for women in 2023, ensuring a minimum of 25 percent participation of women and promoting gender diversity in technical education.

Industry and Global Collaborations:

Bengaluru, the technological hub of India, hence has strong cooperation with industry giants like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs. Research projects in defense, space, and scientific innovation are undertaken in collaboration with government organizations such as DRDO, ISRO, and CSIR. Through the Pravriddhi program, the FSID supports product development that connects academia to industry.

IISc as one of the globally known institutions is affiliated to the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and has partnered with institutions such as the UK Dementia Research Institute. Such collaborations enhance the quality of research and introduce students to international exposure. IISc's alumni can further these global connections, having had prominent figures like Janardhana Swamy, who gave to the development of the Challakere campus.

Rankings and Achievements
The Indian Institute of Science comes consistently among India's top institutions. The year 2024 was marked by:

• NIRF Rankings: 1st in Universities; 1st in Research; 2nd Overall; 4th for Innovation.
• QS World University Rankings: Position 211 worldwide, which mirrors its standing abroad. 
• Accreditations: NAAC 'A' Grade by UGC; affiliation with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

The faculty and alumni have won numerous awards including the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri; IISc marks its presence in global science through path-breaking research contributions like the Raman Effect.

Conclusion
Indian Institute of Science uplifts the future of science and technology in India. From being founded by Jamsetji Tata into an institute of eminence today, IISc brought to life innovative education and high-quality research. The varied academic programs, world-class facilities, cutting-edge research, and global collaborations make it the destination for aspiring scientists, engineers, and innovators. While IISc keeps working on bringing solutions to the problems the world encounters and developing future leaders, the legacy of creating knowledge and creating impacts in society is second to none as it is among the topmost global institutions for higher education and research.