Applications are invited for the Prof. Saroj Chandrasekhar Memorial Student Award, 2027. This award recognizes and rewards women scientists in the areas of Biosciences, Biotechnology, Life Sciences and Medical Sciences. Since 2021, this annual award has been presented to women candidates who are in the third year and beyond of their Ph.D. programme. Candidates with submitted Ph.D. theses are also eligible to apply.

In 2027, two awards will be given, each carrying a cash prize of Rs 1.25 lakh and a certificate; travel and lodging expenses for the award ceremony will also be reimbursed. The award money is without any restrictions, free for the awardee to use as they please.

This award is instituted by the Chandrasekhar Foundation in memory of Prof. Saroj Chandrasekhar, who made significant contributions in tuberculosis research. Prof. Saroj Chandrasekhar completed her B.Sc. from St. Xavier’s College, University of Bombay, in 1947, and Ph.D. from Imperial College of Science and Technology, UK in Bacteriology (Microbiology) in 1950. She returned to India to do a post-doctoral fellowship at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. Prof. Saroj joined the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute at the University of Delhi in 1953, eventually becoming a full professor, head of the Department of Microbiology and Assistant Director of the Institute in 1970. From 1966 to 1969, she was a visiting faculty member at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Public Hygiene and Public Health (now Bloomberg School of Public Health) in Baltimore, MD, USA, carrying out research in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Her major contributions to tuberculosis research were in definitively demonstrating the existence of cell-wall-deficient forms of tubercle bacilli that are totally unaffected by antibiotics and can remain dormant in humans for decades, like sleeper cells; when their host is severely immune-suppressed, they ​“come alive” causing tuberculosis. Her contributions have impacted how we treat this disease today. Prof. Chandrasekhar passed away in 2017.

The Award will be presented on National Science Day (28 February 2027) at the IIT Kanpur campus.

Submit online at: Chandrasekhar_​STUDENT_​Award_​2027_​SUBMIT_​LINK