Kolkata, June 23, 2026: The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata celebrated its 13th Convocation Ceremony with great enthusiasm at the R.N. Tagore Auditorium, marking a significant milestone in the academic journey of 365 graduating students.
The ceremony was graced by Padma Shri Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, as the Chief Guest, while Prof. Rajiv Prakash, Director of IIT Bhilai, attended as the Guest of Honour. Senior institute officials, including Prof. Arvind A. Natu, Chairperson of the Board of Governors, and Prof. Sunil Kumar Khare, Director of IISER Kolkata, were also present.
Degrees were conferred across a wide range of programmes, including BS-MS, BS with Research, MSc, MS by Research, Integrated PhD, and PhD programmes, reflecting the institute’s strong commitment to excellence in science education and research.
Addressing the gathering, institute leaders highlighted IISER Kolkata’s remarkable growth since its establishment in 2006. Ranked 67th in the NIRF rankings, the institute today boasts 131 faculty members, more than 1,800 students and research scholars, and a thriving interdisciplinary academic ecosystem.
During the 2025–26 academic year, IISER Kolkata expanded its academic offerings with new programmes in Computational and Data Sciences, Sustainability Sciences, and Biological Sciences, while announcing the launch of a new MSc programme in Chemical Biology from the next academic session.
The institute also recorded significant research achievements, managing 157 ongoing projects worth nearly ₹95 crore and securing 46 new sponsored projects valued at ₹32 crore. Faculty members earned prestigious recognitions, including the Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award 2025 and multiple J.C. Bose Fellowships.
Congratulating the graduating students, Director Prof. Sunil Kumar Khare wished them success in their future endeavors, emphasizing that the convocation marks not just the completion of an academic chapter but the beginning of new opportunities and contributions to the global scientific community.
