Rangan Banerjee takes over as IIT Delhi Director

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the IIT Delhi team in its journey of excellence and societal impact,” said the new IIT Delhi Director after assuming charge. 

Rangan Banerjee, a Forbes Marshall Chair Professor at Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, took charge as the new Director of IIT Delhi today (February 15, 2022) from his predecessor V Ramgopal Rao. 

After assuming the charge, Banerjee said, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the IIT Delhi team in its journey of excellence and societal impact.” 

Banerjee holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from IIT Bombay. In September 2021, the search-cum-selection committee shortlisted three names for the top post at the IIT Delhi. Besides Banerjee, Jagadesh Kumar, who was recently appointed as the chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC), and Santosh Kapuria, a professor at IIT Delhi, were the other two contenders for the post. Rao stepped down as Director of IIT Delhi after six years in the office. He was on extension with his five-year tenure having completed in April 2021.  

IIT Delhi startup puts up surprise drone show for former Director 

Botlab Dynamics, an IIT Delhi startup, had put up a surprise drone show for former Director of the institute, V Ramgopal Rao, to bid him farewell. Touched by the students' gesture, Rao wrote on Twitter, “After 6 years as Director, IIT Delhi, I am handing over charge tomorrow to Prof. Rangan Banerjee. Today, @BotLabDynamics (#startup @iitdelhi which performed at the #Republic Day Beating Retreat ceremony) put up a surprise show on IIT Delhi playground. Touched by their gesture.” 

He further wrote, “I knew that they are performing, but didn’t realise that they were doing it on the occasion of my handling over charge tomorrow. It was very touching indeed to see myself in the sky.”  

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