Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science

The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) was established in 1876 in Kolkata, West Bengal, making it one of the oldest institutions dedicated to scientific research in Asia. Founded by Dr. Mahendra Lal Sircar, IACS holds the unique distinction of being India's first scientific research institute. The institution operates as an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and is recognised as a deemed university by the University Grants Commission (UGC). IACS has earned international acclaim for its pioneering contributions to scientific research, most notably being the place where Sir C.V. Raman conducted his Nobel Prize-winning experiments on light scattering, known as the Raman Effect. The institution is primarily focused on fundamental research in various branches of physical and biological sciences. Ranked consistently amongst India's premier research institutions, IACS has secured Rank 24 in the NIRF Innovation Rankings 2025 and maintains a strong reputation in the global scientific community. The institution offers research programmes leading to PhD degrees across multiple disciplines including Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, and Theoretical Sciences. IACS also offers Integrated PhD programmes and Postgraduate programmes in select areas. Admission to these programmes is conducted through national-level entrance examinations including CSIR-UGC NET, GATE, JAM, DBT-JRF, and institute-specific entrance tests. The campus spans approximately 8 acres in the heart of Kolkata and serves as a hub for cutting-edge scientific research, attracting scholars from across India and abroad.