Kharagpur, July 28, 2026: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur is proud to announce that Prof. Surjya K. Pal, Dean (Research & Development), has been awarded the prestigious J. C. Bose Grant by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India. The ANRF J. C. Bose Grant is among India’s most distinguished research recognitions for active senior scientists. It is conferred upon researchers who have demonstrated exceptional scientific contributions through sustained excellence and supports them in pursuing frontier research through highly competitive, investigator-driven funding. A renowned expert in advanced and smart manufacturing systems, Prof. Pal has been awarded a five-year grant to develop a universal AI-driven platform for real-time weld quality control, enabling zero-defect smart manufacturing. The research is expected to contribute significantly to next-generation intelligent manufacturing technologies, enhancing productivity, precision, and quality in industrial applications.
Prof. Pal serves as the dean (research & development) at IIT Kharagpur and is the founding chairperson of the Centre of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing Technology. Over the course of his distinguished academic career, he has supervised more than 30 doctoral scholars, published over 230 research papers in leading international journals, and received more than 12,000 citations on Google Scholar, with an h-index of 64. His outstanding contributions to engineering research have earned him election as a Fellow of the National Academy of Engineering (FNAE) and the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI). He currently holds the Prof. N. K. Roy Chair Professorship and previously served as the Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya Chair Professor. Further underscoring his global academic standing, Research.com ranked him 10th among mechanical and aerospace engineering scientists in India in its 2026 rankings.
Prof. Pal’s research has consistently bridged academia and industry, leading to technological innovations that have found successful industrial applications. His work continues to strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem while inspiring researchers and students to pursue impactful, industry-relevant research. The IIT Kharagpur community congratulates Prof. Surjya K. Pal on this distinguished national recognition and wishes him continued success in advancing research excellence and technological innovation.
