The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) is a National Centre of the Government of India. Located in Colaba, Mumbai, the TIFR is dedicated to basic research in Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Biological Sciences, Computer Science and Science Education. Sheltered under the Department of Atomic Energy, it is also a Deemed University awarding degree for Master’s and Doctoral programs. It also has a Graduate Programme leading to a PhD in all the major fields of study…
A VISION THAT LED TO THE FOUNDATION
In 1944, Homi J. Bhabha, known for his role in the development of the Indian atomic energy programme, envisioned a better future for the nation.
“It is the duty of people like us to stay in our own country and build up outstanding schools of research such as some other countries are fortunate to possess.”
Dr. Bhabha wrote to the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust requesting financial assistance to set up a scientific research Centre. With the support from J.R.D. Tata, the then Chairman of the Tata Group, TIFR was founded on 1st June, 1945 under the vision of Dr. Homi Bhabha, who was rightly appointed as the first director of the TIFR.
THE HERITAGE INSTITUTION
TIFR’s Bombay campus was designed by Chicago-based architect Helmuth Bartsch and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 15 January, 1962. Post India’s independence, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) designated TIFR to be the centre for all large-scale projects in nuclear research in 1949.
ACADEMICS AND RESEARCH
The first academic physics group was set up by Bhabha’s students B.M. Udgaonkar and K.S. Singhvi. In December 1950, Bhabha organized an international conference at TIFR on elementary particle physics. Renowned scientists from across the globe attended the conference, including Rudolf Peierls, Léon Rosenfeld, William Fowler as well as Meghnad Saha, Vikram Sarabhai and others providing expertise from India.
TIFR – A Deemed University
In the 1950s, TIFR was a significant institute that played a key role in the field of cosmic ray physics. In June 2002, TIFR attained the official deemed university status. With the rising demand of space for research and accommodation, TIFR set up centres at Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Today, TIFR is considered as one of India’s most outstanding research centres.
Dr Siddhi Barve
ScienceNow Digital
