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Prof. Deepak Dhar

(MSC2/PHY/1973)

Prof. Deepak Dhar is an Indian theoretical physicist and an INSA Distinguished Professor at the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Bengaluru. He has made significant contributions to statistical physics and stochastic processes, with his research spanning several decades and addressing fundamental questions in complex systems. In recognition of his pioneering contributions to statistical mechanics, Prof. Dhar was awarded the 2026 Dirac Medal by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), one of the highest honours in theoretical physics.


Profile

Prof. Dhar received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Allahabad in 1970 and his Master's degree in Physics from IIT Kanpur in 1972. He subsequently earned his PhD in Physics from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1978.

Following his PhD, Prof. Dhar returned to India in 1978 and joined the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) as a Research Fellow. He went on to build a distinguished career at TIFR, rising through the academic ranks to become a Professor. After his retirement, he continued his association with TIFR as a Distinguished Professor at ICTS-TIFR, Bengaluru. From 2016 to 2024, he also served at IISER Pune, first as Professor Emeritus and later as Distinguished Emeritus Professor.

Beyond his research, Prof. Dhar has contributed to the scientific community through various editorial and professional roles. He has served as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Statistical Physics and has previously served on the editorial boards of several leading journals, including Physica A, Journal of Statistical Mechanics: Theory and Experiment, Physical Review E, and Pramana. He also served as a member of the Commission on Statistical Physics of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP).

Achievements and Honors

  • The Dirac Medal by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), 2026.
  • Recipient of Padma Bhushan, Govt of India, 2023.
  • Boltzmann Medal in Physics,2022
  • Fellow, JC. Bose National, Science and Engineering Research Board, 2007.
  • Fellow, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), 2006.
  • Satyendranath Bose Medal, INSA, 2001
  • Third World Academy of Sciences Prize, 2002
  • Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, 1999
  • J. Robert Schrieffer Prize, The International Centre for Theoretical Physics, 1993
  • Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, 1991.
  • Fellow, Indian Academy of Sciences, 1990.
  • Young Scientist Medal, the Indian National Science Academy, 1983

Last updated Aug 11, 2026