Professor Suman Chakraborty, an acclaimed mechanical engineering expert and innovator, has been appointed as the new director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. The appointment, announced on June 19, marks a significant leadership change at one of India’s premier engineering institutions. Chakraborty takes over from Professor Amit Patra, who was serving as the acting director following the end of VK Tewari’s tenure in December 2024. His term will span five years or until he reaches the age of 70, whichever comes first.

A Sir JC Bose National Fellow, Chakraborty is renowned for his path-breaking research in micro and nanoscale fluid mechanics and for developing low-cost diagnostic tools for diseases such as anaemia, cancer, COVID-19, and tuberculosis. His contributions have enhanced medical accessibility for underserved populations. Recognised globally, he was awarded the 2026 TWAS Award in Engineering and Computer Sciences by UNESCO and was listed among Asia's top 100 researchers in 2023. His accolades include the Infosys Prize (2022), National Award for Teachers (2023), and the prestigious Santi Swaroop Bhatnagar Prize.

Professor Chakraborty has been deeply associated with IIT Kharagpur since joining as an assistant professor in 2002 and becoming a senior professor by 2008. His promotion to full-time director by the Centre reflects the government’s confidence in his academic and administrative leadership. In addition to his academic honours, Chakraborty is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the Royal Society of Chemistry, further solidifying his international standing in science and engineering. His appointment is expected to reinforce IIT Kharagpur’s role as a hub of research, innovation, and academic excellence.