Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

{{Short description|Public research institute in Mumbai, India}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}} {{Infobox university | name = Tata Institute of Fundamental Research | image_name = Tata Institute of Fundamental Research logo.png | established = {{start date and age|1 June 1945}} | type = Public Deemed university | director = Jayaram N. Chengalur | city = Mumbai | state = Maharashtra | country = India | campus = Urban | campus_size = {{convert|15|acre}} | academic_staff = 268<ref name=nirf_stud>{{cite web |title=NIRF 2020 |url=https://www.tifr.res.in/~gsoffice/TIFR-NIRF/NIRF2020_TIFR20191206.pdf |publisher=Tata Institute of Fundamental Research}}</ref> | students = 696<ref name=nirf_stud/> | undergrad = | postgrad = 45<ref name=nirf_stud/> | doctoral = 651<ref name=nirf_stud/> | website = {{URL|http://www.tifr.res.in/}} }}

'''Tata Institute of Fundamental Research''' ('''TIFR''') is a research Institute under the Department of Atomic Energy of the Government of India. It is a public deemed university located at Navy Nagar, Colaba in Mumbai. It also has centres in Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad. TIFR conducts research primarily in the natural sciences, the biological sciences and theoretical computer science.<ref name="frontline">{{cite journal|last=Special Correspondent|title=Making bright ideas happen|journal=Frontline|date=November 2005|volume=22|issue=23|url=http://www.flonnet.com/fl2223/stories/20051118004911600.htm|access-date=29 November 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516124026/http://www.flonnet.com/fl2223/stories/20051118004911600.htm|archive-date=16 May 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==History== Homi J. Bhabha, known for his role in the development of the Indian atomic energy programme, wrote to the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust requesting financial assistance to set up a scientific research institute.<ref name="tata">{{cite web|last=Bhattacharya|first=Shobo|title=Fanning the spirit of frontier science|url=http://www.tata.com/ourcommitment/articles/inside.aspx?artid=5c2Dyfh3pLY=|publisher=Tata sons Ltd.|access-date=29 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510081103/http://www.tata.com/ourcommitment/articles/inside.aspx?artid=5c2Dyfh3pLY=|archive-date=10 May 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> With support from J.R.D. Tata, then chairman of the Tata Group, TIFR was founded on 1 June 1945, and Homi Bhabha was appointed its first director.<ref name="jrdtata">{{cite news| last=Lala| first=R. M.| title=JRD — The builder of modern Tatas| url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/07/29/stories/2005072900220900.htm| access-date=29 November 2010| newspaper=Business Line| date=29 July 2005| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417100407/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/07/29/stories/2005072900220900.htm| archive-date=17 April 2010| df=dmy-all}}</ref> The institute initially operated within the campus of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore before relocating to Mumbai later that year. TIFR's new campus in Colaba was designed by Chicago-based architect Helmuth Bartsch and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 15 January 1962.<ref name="history">{{cite web|last=Raychaudhari|first=Oindrilla|title=History of TIFR|url=http://www.tifr.res.in/History_and_Archives/timeline.html|publisher=Tata Institute of Fundamental Research|access-date=29 November 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923134945/http://www.tifr.res.in/History_and_Archives/timeline.html|archive-date=23 September 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Shortly after Indian Independence, in 1949, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) designated TIFR to be the centre for all large-scale projects in nuclear research.<ref name="ie1949">{{cite news|last=U.P.I.|title=Tata Institute to be centre of nuclear research|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WwBFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5714,3334558&dq=tata+institute+of+fundamental+research&hl=en|access-date=29 November 2010|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=2 February 1949}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/npihp-partners-release-new-documents-indian-nuclear-history | publisher=Woodrow Wilson Center | location=Washington, D.C. | work=Nuclear Proliferation International History Project | title=NPIHP Partners Release New Documents on Indian Nuclear History | date=11 April 2012 | access-date=3 February 2014 }}</ref> The first theoretical physics group was set up by Bhabha's students B.M. Udgaonkar and K.S. Singhvi.<ref name="currsci">{{cite journal|last=Sreekantan|first=B. V.|title=Sixty years of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research 1945–2005|journal=Current Science|date=March 2006|volume=90|issue=5|url=http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/apr102006/1012.pdf|access-date=29 November 2010}}</ref> In December 1950, Bhabha organised an international conference at TIFR on elementary particle physics. Several world-renowned scientists attended the conference, including Rudolf Peierls, Léon Rosenfeld, William Fowler as well as Meghnad Saha, Vikram Sarabhai and others providing expertise from India.<ref name=currsci /> In the 1950s, TIFR gained prominence in the field of cosmic ray physics, with the setting up of research facilities in Ooty and in the Kolar gold mines.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chandran |first1=Obuli |title=A trip to Ooty’s Radio Astronomy Centre and Cosmic Ray Laboratory |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/a-trip-to-ootys-radio-astronomy-centre-and-cosmic-ray-laboratory/article22918038.ece |work=The Hindu |date=3 March 2018 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

In 1957, India's first digital computer, TIFRAC was built in TIFR.<ref name=tata /> Acting on the suggestions of British physiologist Archibald Hill, Bhabha invited Obaid Siddiqi to set up a research group in molecular biology. This ultimately resulted in the establishment of the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore twenty years later. In 1970, TIFR started research in radio astronomy with the setting up of the Ooty Radio Telescope. Encouraged by the success of ORT, Govind Swarup persuaded J. R. D. Tata to help set up the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope near Pune, India.<ref name=currsci />

TIFR attained the official deemed university status in June 2002.<ref>{{cite web | title=About TIFR | url=http://univ.tifr.res.in/gs2010/About/about.htm | publisher=University Cell, TIFR | access-date=24 November 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831221938/http://univ.tifr.res.in/gs2010/About/about.htm | archive-date=31 August 2011 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> To meet the ever-growing demand of space needed for research labs and accommodation, the institute came up with a new campus at Hyderabad.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tifr-hyderabadbound-for-bhabha-bday/388497/ | title=TIFR Hyderabad-bound for Bhabha b'day | publisher=Indianexpress.com |date=2008-11-21 |access-date=2010-11-24}}</ref>

==Research== Research at TIFR is distributed across three schools, working over the mathematical sciences, natural sciences, technology and computer science.

===School of Mathematics=== Since its birth in the 1950s, several contributions to mathematics have come from TIFR School of Mathematics. Notable contributions from TIFR mathematicians include Raghavan Narasimhan's proof of the embedding of open Riemann surfaces in <math>\mathbb{C}^3</math>, C. S. Seshadri's work on projective modules over polynomial rings and M. S. Narasimhan's results in the theory of pseudo differential operators.<ref name=currsci />

Narasimhan and Seshadri wrote a seminal paper on stable vector bundles, work which has been recognised as one of the most influential articles in the area.<ref name=currsci /> M. S. Raghunathan started research at TIFR on algebraic and discrete groups, and was recognised for his work on rigidity.

===School of Natural Sciences=== The School of Natural Sciences is further split into seven departments working in several areas of physics, chemistry and biology.

Within physics, the Department of Theoretical Physics (DTP) was set up by Bhabha, who conducted research in high energy physics and Condensed Matter Physics. The department worked on the major advances in this period such as Quantum Field Theory, string theory, and superconductivity.<ref name="frontline" /> The current faculty includes Sandip Trivedi, Shiraz Minwalla, Abhijit Gadde, and Gautam Mandal. Several early faculty members at the institution were renowned in their fields. These include Ashoke Sen, who conducted seminal work on String Theory, specifically S-Duality, while at this institution. Other distinguished members were Spenta Wadia, Sunil Mukhi, Deepak Dhar and Nandini Trivedi.

The Department of Astrophysics works in areas like stellar binaries, gravitational waves and cosmology. TIFR is involved in building India's first gravity wave detector.<ref name="indigo">{{cite web|title=TIFR approves the construction of a 3-meter prototype interferometer|url=http://www.gw-indigo.org/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=10|publisher=Indigo|access-date=29 November 2010}}</ref> The High Energy Physics Department, TIFR has been involved in major accelerator projects like the KEK, Tevatron, LEP and the LHC. TIFR also runs the Pelletron particle accelerator facility.<ref>{{cite web|title=14 MV BARC-TIFR Pelletron Accelerator located at TIFR, Mumbai|url=http://www.tifr.res.in/~pell/|publisher=TIFR|access-date=29 November 2010}}</ref> The Department of Nuclear and Atomic Physics conducts research in nuclear structure, reactions, spectroscopy, lasers and molecular dynamics and ultracold atoms. Bhabha's motivation resulted in the development of an NMR spectrometer for solid state studies. The Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Material Sciences also conducts experimental research in high-temperature superconductivity, nanoelectronics and nanophotonics.

===School of Technology and Computer Science=== The School of Technology and Computer Science grew out of early activities carried out at TIFR for building digital computers. Today, its activities cover areas such as Algorithms, Complexity Theory, Formal Method, Applied Probability, Learning Theory, Mathematical Finance, Information Theory, Communications, etc.

===Department of Biological Sciences=== The Department Of Biological Sciences was set up by Obaid Siddiqi in early 1960s as a molecular biology group.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} Over the years has expanded to encompass various other branches of modern biology. The department has fourteen labs covering various aspects of modern molecular and cell biology.

== Notable alumni ==<!-- alphabetical order by last name --> * Ranjan Roy Daniel (1923–2005), former Deputy Director of TIFR and recipient of Padma Bhushan<ref name="insa">{{Cite web |url=http://insaindia.res.in/detail/N75-0179 |title=Deceased Fellow:Rajan Roy Daniel |publisher=Indian National Science Academy |access-date=4 February 2013 |archive-date=14 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114093514/http://insaindia.res.in/detail/N75-0179 |url-status=dead }}</ref> *Jitendra Nath Goswami, Principal Scientific Investigator of Chandrayaan-1<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chandrayaan Team, Mission Chandrayaan 1 Team, ISRO Team Chandrayaan |url=http://zeenews.india.com/chandrayaan/story.aspx?aid=477110 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806161313/http://zeenews.india.com/chandrayaan/story.aspx?aid=477110 |archive-date=2012-08-06 |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=zeenews.india.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-07-24 |title=INSA |url=http://insaindia.org/detail.php?id=P00-1277 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/20130724103344/http://insaindia.org/detail.php?id=P00-1277 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-07-24 |access-date=2025-11-14 }}</ref>, Chairman to the advisory board for Chandrayaan-2<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bahn |first=Divya |date=2019-09-08 |title=Brother rues 'sensationalism' over Chandrayaan 2 advisor's NRC name exclusion |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/Sep/08/brother-rues-sensationalism-over-chandrayaan-2-advisors-nrc-name-exclusion-2030659.html |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-08-24 |title=Relieved that there’s no mistake this time: Scientist JN Goswami |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/relieved-that-theres-no-mistake-this-time-scientist-jn-goswami/articleshow/103003191.cms |access-date=2025-11-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>, and Padma Shri recipient<ref>{{Cite web |title=Padma Awards 2017 announced |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=157675 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506125413/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=157675 |archive-date=2025-05-06 |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=www.pib.gov.in}}</ref> * Vijay Kumar Kapahi, astrophysicist, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar laureate<ref name="Deceased fellow-Kapahi">{{Cite web |url=http://insaindia.res.in/detail/N97-1217 |title=Deceased fellow-Kapahi |date=2017 |publisher=Indian National Science Academy |access-date=14 November 2017 |archive-date=22 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022193728/http://insaindia.res.in/detail/N97-1217 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * B. V. Sreekantan, astrophysicist and Padma Bhushan recipient<ref name="A versatile and humane scientist">{{cite journal | url=http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/108/09/1731.pdf | title=A versatile and humane scientist | author=P. C. Agarwal | journal=Current Science |date=May 2015 | volume=108 | issue=9}}</ref> * K. R. K. Easwaran, molecular biophysicist, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize laureate<ref name="Indian Fellow - Easwaran">{{cite web | url=http://insaindia.res.in/detail.php?id=N89-1017 | title=Indian Fellow - Easwaran | publisher=Indian National Science Academy | date=2016 | access-date=September 30, 2016 | archive-date=3 October 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003191434/http://insaindia.res.in/detail.php?id=N89-1017 | url-status=dead }}</ref> * Ghanshyam Swarup, molecular biologist, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar laureate<ref name="Indian fellow - Swarup">{{cite web | url=http://insaindia.res.in/detail.php?id=P03-1349 | title=Indian fellow - Swarup | publisher=Indian National Science Academy | date=2016 | access-date=October 6, 2016 | archive-date=11 October 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011231134/http://insaindia.res.in/detail.php?id=P03-1349 | url-status=dead }}</ref> * B. L. K. Somayajulu, geochemist, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar laureate<ref name="Bhamidipati Lakshmidhara Kanakadri Somayajulu (1937–2016)">{{Cite web |url=http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/112/02/0414.pdf |title=Bhamidipati Lakshmidhara Kanakadri Somayajulu (1937–2016) |date=2017 |website=Current Science |access-date=2017-11-14}}</ref> * G. Naresh Patwari, chemist, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar laureate<ref name="Biographical Information - Naresh Patwari">{{Cite web |url=http://www.chem.iitb.ac.in/people/Faculty/prof/gnp.html |title=Biographical Information - Naresh Patwari |date=2017-11-09 |website=Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay |access-date=2017-11-09}}</ref> * Maneesha S. Inamdar, stem cell biologist, N-Bios laureate<ref name="Maneesha Inamdar - Academic profile">{{Cite web |url=http://www.jncasr.ac.in/inamdar/index.php?menu_id=2&user_id=18&page_id=739 |title=Maneesha Inamdar - Academic profile |date=2018-01-29 |website=www.jncasr.ac.in |access-date=2018-01-29}}</ref>

==TIFR Centers==

TIFR also includes institutes outside its main campus in Colaba and Mumbai:

* Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education at Deonar, Mumbai * International Centre for Theoretical Sciences at Bangalore * National Centre for Biological Sciences at Bangalore * National Centre for Radio Astrophysics at Pune * National Balloon Facility at Hyderabad * TIFR Centre for Applicable Mathematics, Bangalore for Mathematics * TIFR Hyderabad Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences

==Visiting Students Research Programme== The '''Visiting Students Research Programme''' ('''VSRP''') is a summer programme conducted annually during the summer season by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. VSRP is offered in the subjects Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and Computer Science.<ref>{{cite web| title=Visiting Students Research Programme | url=http://www.tifr.res.in/~vsrp/ }}</ref>

==See also== * Indian Institute of Science * TIFRAC, the first computer built indigenously in India

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Tata Institute of Fundamental Research}} * {{Official website}}

{{Energy Ministries and Departments of India}} {{Mumbai topics}} {{Centers of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research}} {{Universities in Maharashtra}} {{Authority control}} {{Coord|18.90757|72.80601|type:landmark|display=title|name=TIFR}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tata Institute Of Fundamental Research}} Category:Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Category:1945 establishments in India Category:Research institutes established in 1945 Category:Research institutes in Mumbai Category:Multidisciplinary research institutes Category:Deemed universities in Maharashtra