SRMIST Research Day 2026: CEO of ANRF Outlines India’s Path to Becoming a Global Innovation Leader

The Directorate of Research, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), hosted Research Day 2026 on April 17, 2026, bringing together distinguished leaders from academia, government, and industry to celebrate excellence in research, innovation, and collaboration.

The event featured Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, Chief Executive Officer of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India, as the Chief Guest, and was presided over by Dr P. Sathyanarayanan, Pro-Chancellor (Academics), SRMIST. Other dignitaries present included Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice-Chancellor; Dr. S. Ponnusamy, Registrar; Dr. Nitin M. Nagarkar, Pro Vice-Chancellor (MHS); Prof. A. Vinay Kumar, Pro Vice-Chancellor (FSH & Management); Professor Y. S. R. Murthy, Pro- Vice Chancellor (Law); Dr. Leenus Jesu Martin, Dean (Engineering & Technology); Dr. Bernaurdshaw Neppolian, Dean (Research); and Dr. B. Venkatachalapathy, Research Professor, along with senior leadership, faculty, researchers, and students.

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Further strengthening its research ecosystem, SRMIST secured ten prestigious grants under the ANRF–Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant Scheme, with a cumulative funding of approximately Rs 6.03 crore. Spanning disciplines such as chemistry, nanotechnology, physics, medical research, and genetic engineering, these projects focus on emerging areas including advanced materials, AI-driven research, healthcare innovation, and sustainable technologies, underscoring the institution’s growing strength in interdisciplinary and high-impact research aligned with national priorities.

Delivering insights on India’s evolving research landscape, Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India, outlined the vision of positioning India as a global research and innovation powerhouse. He emphasised that excellence, collaboration, and measurable impact are central to this transformation. Highlighting opportunities through ANRF, including large-scale funding and industry-linked initiatives, he encouraged institutions to focus on high-quality research that translates into societal and economic value.

Dr P. Sathyanarayanan, Pro-Chancellor (Academics), SRMIST, remarked: “Securing multiple PM Early Career Research Grants is a reflection of our dedication to Excellence at SRMIST. It highlights the scientific prowess of our faculty and also reaffirms our unwavering commitment to solving some of the most pressing healthcare challenges of our time and ahead. From AI-led drug discovery to precision medicine with early diagnostics, this work has the potential to transform how diseases are understood, prevented and humanity is treated across the globe.”

He further added that "SRMIST is set to launch a state-of-the-art Research Park very soon, which will be SRM's dedication to community, to serve as a hub for innovation, industry collaboration, and translational research, while bridging the gap between lab discoveries and real-world healthcare solutions."

Reflecting on SRMIST’s research trajectory, Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor, highlighted that the institution produced 8,673 publications in 2025, with 27% involving international collaborations, 38% national partnerships, and 47% representing interdisciplinary research. During the same year, 124 research projects were awarded by various funding agencies of approximately Rs 50 crore. Notably, 70% of these publications appeared in Q1 and Q2 journals, underscoring the university’s strong commitment to quality research. He further noted SRMIST’s 18th rank in India in the Nature Index, reflecting its growing global research presence and its increasing focus on research translation, intellectual property creation, and commercialisation.

Dr B. Venkatachalapathy, Research Professor, SRMIST, emphasised that modern research must go beyond academic output to deliver measurable impact. He noted that SRMIST’s strong foundation, comprising expert faculty, advanced infrastructure, and robust institutional support, positions it to contribute significantly to national growth through impactful and collaborative research.

Research Day 2026 also celebrated excellence across the SRMIST community. A total of 145 awardees were honoured, including 54 student Gold Medallists and 62 Silver Medallists, while 26 faculty received Gold Medals and 3 received Silver Medals. The awards recognised high-quality research outputs, including publications in Nature-indexed journals, externally funded projects secured in 2025, and faculty featured among the world’s Top 2% Scientists.

Research Day 2026 reaffirmed SRMIST’s commitment to fostering a vibrant research ecosystem driven by quality, collaboration, and innovation. With strong alignment to national priorities and a forward-looking global vision, the institution continues to strengthen its position as a leading hub for transformative research and meaningful societal impact.

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