Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science

Pioneering Fundamental Scientific Research Since 1876. India's first and premier institute dedicated to the cultivation of basic sciences, fostering innovation and discovery in the heart of Kolkata.

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Our Legacy & Mission

Established in 1876 by Dr. Mahendralal Sarkar, the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) holds the distinguished title of being India's first institute devoted solely to the pursuit of fundamental scientific research. For nearly 150 years, IACS has been a crucible of scientific thought, nurturing generations of scientists who have made seminal contributions to physics, chemistry, and materials science.

Our mission is to create and sustain an environment of intellectual freedom and rigorous inquiry, where curiosity-driven research flourishes. We aim to push the boundaries of human knowledge and address complex global challenges through basic science.

Located in Jadavpur, Kolkata, our campus spans over 25 acres, housing state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries, and residential facilities for students and researchers from across India and the world.

Learn More About Our History
IACS Heritage Building

1876

Year of Foundation

200+

Research Scholars

12

Research Divisions

Our Research Divisions

IACS is organized into interdisciplinary research divisions that collaborate to explore frontiers across traditional scientific boundaries.

Solid State Physics

Research in condensed matter physics, nanomaterials, superconductivity, and advanced spectroscopy techniques to understand and manipulate material properties.

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Organic Chemistry

Design and synthesis of novel organic molecules, asymmetric catalysis, natural product chemistry, and development of sustainable chemical methodologies.

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Biological Chemistry

Interdisciplinary studies at the interface of chemistry and biology, including enzymology, chemical biology, bioinorganic chemistry, and structural biology.

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Materials Science

Development of functional materials for energy conversion and storage, photovoltaics, catalysis, and environmental remediation applications.

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Explore All Research Areas

Academic Programs

IACS offers premier doctoral and postdoctoral programs, attracting the brightest minds to engage in cutting-edge research under the guidance of renowned faculty.

Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)

Our Ph.D. program is the cornerstone of IACS's academic mission. Students undertake a 5-year integrated program involving coursework and extensive research leading to a dissertation.

  • Eligibility: M.Sc. in relevant discipline with a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent CGPA.
  • Selection: Through a nationwide written test and interview conducted biannually.
  • Fellowship: All selected candidates receive a generous Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
  • Areas: Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Biological Sciences, Theoretical Sciences.
Apply for Ph.D. 2024

Postdoctoral Fellowships

IACS invites applications for postdoctoral positions from outstanding researchers who have recently obtained a Ph.D. We offer institute fellowships and project-based positions.

  • IACS Postdoctoral Fellowship: Prestigious 2-year fellowship with competitive stipend and research grant.
  • Project-based Positions: Opportunities in ongoing funded projects from DST, DBT, SERB, etc.
  • International Applicants: Welcome to apply; provisions for visa assistance and accommodation.
  • Application: Rolling admissions; candidates should contact potential faculty supervisors directly.
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Upcoming Admission Test: December 10, 2024

Online applications for the Ph.D. program (Winter Session) are now open. Last date for submission is November 5, 2024.

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News & Events

IACS Research Symposium 2024
Featured Event

IACS Annual Research Symposium 2024

October 15-17, 2024 | IACS Main Auditorium

Join us for the premier event showcasing groundbreaking research from all divisions of IACS. Featuring keynote lectures by Nobel Laureate Prof. David J. Wineland and plenary sessions by leading scientists from across the globe. The symposium includes poster presentations by students and young researchers, with awards for the best contributions.

Register Now

Recent Announcements

New Director Appointed

September 28, 2024

Prof. Anindya Das has taken charge as the new Director of IACS for a five-year term.

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Major Grant from SERB

September 15, 2024

IACS secures a ₹5.2 crore grant for establishing an advanced ultrafast spectroscopy facility.

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Paper Published in Nature

August 30, 2024

Research team from the Materials Science division publishes groundbreaking work on perovskite solar cells.

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Central Research Facilities

IACS hosts a suite of sophisticated central facilities that provide researchers with cutting-edge instrumentation and technical support.

Advanced Microscopy

High-resolution TEM, SEM, AFM, and confocal microscopy for nanoscale and biological imaging.

Spectroscopy Suite

NMR (500, 700 MHz), XPS, FT-IR, Raman, UV-Vis-NIR, and ultrafast laser spectroscopy systems.

High-Performance Computing

Cluster with 5000+ cores for computational chemistry, physics, and bioinformatics simulations.

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