Ramanujan Junior Researchers Programme Strengthening India UK Scientific Collaboration

A Landmark Step in Indo-UK Scientific Ties

Ramanujan Junior Researchers Programme Strengthening India UK Scientific Collaboration: India and the United Kingdom have launched the Ramanujan Junior Researchers Programme, a visionary initiative designed to nurture India’s brightest young scientists. Named after Srinivasa Ramanujan, the self-taught mathematical genius from India, this fellowship aims to deepen ties in theoretical physics and mathematics between the two nations.

Announced during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s 2025 visit to India, the collaboration symbolizes a modern continuation of the historic 1913 link between Ramanujan and G.H. Hardy — one that changed the landscape of world mathematics.

Static GK fact: Srinivasa Ramanujan was born in Erode, Tamil Nadu, in 1887, and despite no formal training, he made groundbreaking contributions to number theory, continued fractions, and infinite series.

Tribute to Ramanujan’s Legacy

Supported by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST), the programme enables talented Indian PhD scholars to pursue advanced research at the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences (LIMS). This initiative allows them to experience the same academic environment that once fostered Ramanujan’s genius in Cambridge.

According to Vikram Doraiswami, India’s High Commissioner to the UK, the programme provides young scientists “the same chance Ramanujan once had — to test their ideas in the world’s most stimulating environments.”
Dr Thomas Fink, Director of LIMS, described it as “a bridge between two science superpowers.”

Static GK Tip: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) was established in 1971, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, to promote scientific research and innovation.

Structure of the Fellowship

The fellowship will unfold in two phases, combining short-term research visits with long-term academic collaborations.

Phase 1 – Junior Visitors from JNCASR

In its first stage, PhD students from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) will be nominated as Ramanujan Junior Visitors.
Around six scholars will spend several months at LIMS in London’s Mayfair, engaging with senior researchers, attending lectures, and contributing to theoretical research projects.

Static GK fact: The JNCASR, located in Bengaluru, is an autonomous multidisciplinary research institute established by the Department of Science and Technology.

Phase 2 – Ramanujan Junior Fellowships

The second phase will expand the initiative to include early-career researchers across India. The Ramanujan Junior Fellowships will offer three-year placements at LIMS, allowing fellows to contribute to high-level theoretical work and develop independent projects alongside British scientists.

This structure ensures sustained academic exchange and paves the way for long-term collaboration in frontier areas of pure science.

Strengthening Global Scientific Networks

The Ramanujan Programme is expected to enhance India’s presence in global research, giving young scientists international exposure and collaborative platforms. It reinforces India’s role as a rising scientific power, while strengthening the Indo-UK partnership in innovation and higher education.

Static GK Tip: The India–UK Science and Innovation Council oversees bilateral scientific initiatives, promoting research in sectors such as climate, healthcare, and advanced technology.

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