The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) was conceived as a 'Research Institute' or 'University of Research' by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, in the twilight years of the 19th century. A long period of almost thirteen years was to elapse from the initial conception in 1896 to the birth of the Institute on May 27, 1909. The early history of the Institute is a fascinating chapter in the story of higher education and scientific research in India. The cast of characters in the drama that led to the establishment of the Institute includes, in addition to its charismatic and generous founder J.N. Tata, figures from the pages of Indian history. There is Swami Vivekananda, whom J.N. Tata befriended on his famous voyage to the United States, the Maharaja of Mysore, Shri Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and his mother then acting on his behalf, and Lord Curzon the Viceroy of India, whose first task on arrival on December 31, 1898 was to receive a draft proposal prepared by the Provisional Committee set up to plan the establishment of the Institute.
The plan was shepherded through many difficult years by Burjorji Padshah, a close associate of J.N. Tata. Unfortunately, J.N. Tata died in 1904 unaware that his vision would indeed be realized a few years later. When the British Government finally issued the Vesting Order in 1909, an unmatched experiment in higher education and research was launched in India.
Many of India's most distinguished scientists have been associated with the Institute as students or faculty. Notable among them are G.N. Ramachandran, Harish Chandra, S. Ramaseshan, Brahm Prakash, A. Ramachandran, C.N.R. Rao and R. Narasimha. Alumni of the Institute head many major organizations in India and abroad. The Institute offers a variety of Master's degree programs in Engineering, an integrated (post-B.Sc.) program in sciences and Ph.D. programs in a wide spectrum of disciplines in science and engineering. The research laboratories at the Institute are well equipped. Many national facilities are housed at the Institute. The library and computational facilities at the Institute are amongst the best in India. A major program for modernizing laboratories is underway, catalyzed by a special grant provided by the Government of India in 2006. The Institute hosts hundreds of visitors from India and abroad every year and is the venue for many major national and international academic events.
To live and work at the Institute is a special privilege. Anniversaries are an occasion for both celebration and introspection. In reflecting on the past, present and future of the Institute, in this Centenary Year, an exchange between Morris Travers, the first Director, and Lord Willingdon, the then Viceroy, is worth recounting. Willingdon went around the Institute in June 1914 and said: "I had no idea that there was anything like this in India". Travers responded: "There is nothing like it in India; and nothing better in Great Britain". In ensuring that this sentiment is true, a great deal of work remains to be done.
These details have been retrieved from www.iisc.ernet.in
Mission & Vision
The Institute is also committed to promoting post-doctoral research in the areas of science and engineering. The Institute engages in interactions with society and industry through a variety of outreach programs. The Centre for Scientific and Industrial Consultancy (CSIC) and the Society for Innovation and Development (SID) promote collaborative interactions with industry, while the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) provides an opportunity for working scientists and engineers to enrich themselves academically. The Institute actively promotes programs that encourage bright young school and undergraduate students to undertake research careers. The Institute's Young Fellowships Program in Science and Engineering seeks to bring young students to the campus in summer. The Institute also administers the Kishore Vaigyanik ProtsahanYojana (KVPY) program of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The Institute's commitment to socially relevant research is specifically emphasized by the activities undertaken at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies (CST), together with the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST), which is housed on the campus.
Admission
Information at A glance:
1. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is pleased to announce Admissions to the following:
Research program - Doctoral (Ph D) and Master’s (M Sc [Engg]) in 29 departments/ centres/ units. In addition, a doctoral (Ph D) program is available in 6 interdisciplinary areas.
Admission to Ph D in Engineering is open to candidates with BE /B Tech/M Sc degree.
A One-Stop URL for Research Areas of IISc - Use this to locate departments that match your interests.
Course program - (ME/M Tech/M Des) in 16 disciplines:
Integrated Ph D program in 4 disciplines:
Candidates should go through the requirement of basic qualifications carefully and satisfy themselves that they fulfill all the eligibility criteria.
2. Candidates should fill in the Basic Data Sheet (BDS) and the Application Form by carefully following the instructions provided.
3. Candidates who wish to apply for both research and course programs should obtain two numbers of Information Brochure and submit separate sets of Basic Data Sheet and an appropriate Application Form for each program.
4. For each program (Research, Course and Integrated PhD) only one application will be entertained. Duplicate applications for the same program will be automatically rejected.
5. Candidates applying for -
A research program may indicate preferences upto 3 departments /centers / units including interdisciplinary areas.
Course programs may indicate preferences upto 5 disciplines.
An Integrated Ph D program may indicate preferences upto 4 disciplines.
Application Form with incomplete / incorrect information will be rejected.
6. The completed BDS and Application Form should be enclosed in the envelope provided and should reach The Deputy Registrar (Academic )on or before March 23, 2009. The last date prescribed for the receipt of Application Forms cannot be extended for any reason.
7. Online Application submission. The steps to be taken for online submission of application: The candidate should obtain a demand draft (DD) for the amount of the application fee (Rs.500/- for the general category and Rs.250/- for the SC/ST/PH category), drawn in favour of the Registrar, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
8. Please visit our website www.iisc.ernet.in/admissions for the following information: (a) acknowledgement of receipt of applications, (b) list of candidates called for entrance test, (c) list of candidates called for interview, and (d) list of selected candidates.
9. The Admit Card for the IISc Entrance Test 2009 will be sent to the eligible candidates by post at least 2 weeks ahead of the scheduled date of the Entrance Test. In case you do not receive the admit card within this time, you are required to ascertain your eligibility for the Entrance Test, either from our Website or by contacting the Deputy Registrar (Academic), Admissions Unit, IISc. You may even try sending an email to the Deputy Registrar (Academic), Admissions Unit, IISc. After confirmation, you may download the Admit Card from the website.
10. Interview letters will be sent by post to the short-listed candidates about 2 weeks ahead of the date of interview. In case you do not receive the letter within this time, you are required to ascertain your eligibility for the interview, either from our website or by contacting the Deputy Registrar (Academic), Admissions Unit, IISc. After confirmation, you may proceed to the Institute to attend the interview(s) on the indicated date(s) with all the relevant documents.
11. For all the correspondence regarding admissions, the application number should be quoted.
12. Please note that the receipt of an Admit Card for the Entrance Test 2009 or call letter for interview does not confer any right upon the applicant for admission to the Institute.
Please note that concealing/misrepresenting information of any sort will lead to automatic cancellation of admission even after selection/admission.
13. In case any claim or dispute arises in respect of admission 2009-2010, it is hereby made absolutely clear that the Courts and Tribunals in Bangalore and Bangalore alone shall have the exclusive jurisdiction to entertain and settle any such dispute or claim made on or before 30.9.2009.
