About the Centres:
The Kotak School of Sustainability (KSS) at IIT Kanpur advances its mission through seven dedicated Centres and department of SEE. The centres focus on critical dimensions of sustainability research and practice. These Centres serve as hubs of interdisciplinary expertise, addressing areas such as energy policy and climate solutions, sustainable infrastructure, water and ecosystems, corporate sustainability, and advanced environmental analytics. Together, they provide a platform for cutting-edge research, policy engagement, and stakeholder collaboration aimed at developing scalable and impactful solutions to the pressing sustainability challenges of our time.
The center for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga) is a Brain Trust devoted to River Science and River Basin Management. The center is committed to restoring and conserving rivers and water resources through collation of information and knowledge, research and development, planning, monitoring, education, advocacy, and engagement with stakeholders. Established in 2016 at IIT Kanpur, it serves as a knowledge wing of central and state governments in India on all the aspects related to river conservation, rejuvenation, and management of the river basin. It strives to serve as a center of excellence for data collection, creation, and dissemination of knowledge. The center has representation from most leading science and technology institutes in the country. cGanga’s one of the major tasks is to serve as a think tank in the implementation and dynamic evaluation of the Ganga River Basin Management Plan (GRBMP) prepared by a consortium of 7 IITs in 2015. As a knowledge creator and disseminator cGanga has developed Environment Technology Programme (ETV) for introducing new technologies, innovations, and solutions.
One of the core activities of cGanga is to interphase with finance, economics, and legal industry to robust techno-commercial models. Other core activities are the development of improved monitoring protocols and; the creation of expertise in the area of river health.
cGanga is objectifying as a Global “Gurukul” of river science. It is conceptualized to be a world leader in the field of river science. In the name cGanga, the word Ganga symbolizes culture of rivers.
The far reaching goal of cGanga is to develop high-end research-based strategies and practices from which not only India but all the rivers of the world can be benefited and the legacy of safe and enhanced water resources can be passed on to the next generations.
Website: https://cganga.org
The Chandrakanta Kesavan Centre for Energy Policy and Climate Solutions is set up to assist policy makers with practical solutions to the problems of climate change. India as a signatory to the Paris Climate Agreement will need to develop, adapt and implement technologies to reduce emissions and grow sustainably. The aim of the Centre will be to spearhead the development of technology and policy solutions to help India and the world combat climate change. Detailed description of the centre can be seen on https://iitk.ac.in/ckc/.
An agreement to establish this center was signed on July 15th, 2021 between IIT Kanpur and Sudhakar Kesavan, an alumnus of the Class of 1976 from IIT Kanpur. The Centre Is named In the memory of his mother Dr. Chandrakanta Kesavan who was a role model for Indian women in science. She received her PhD in Acoustical Physics from Allahabad University in 1942, was a Fulbright post-doctoral scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and worked as a pioneering acoustical engineer and administrator at All India Radio, India’s national broadcaster. Her biography is attached to this release. Sudhakar and Alka Kesavan have pledged USD 2.5 M for supporting various activities of the Centre.
After graduating with B.Tech. degree in Chemical Engineering, Sudhakar Kesavan went on to complete his PGDM from IIM Ahmedabad and an MS from the Technology and Policy Program at MIT. He served as Chairman and CEO of ICF International Inc. (www.icf.com) for over 20 years. With over 7000 employees, ICF is one of the world’s largest specialty consulting firms specializing in four broad areas: energy and environment, health and social programs, disaster management, and digital transformation and technology services. He serves on the Boards of several non-profits and corporations in the United States.
The Centre will be an autonomous organization within IIT Kanpur. It will be anchored In, and work closely with, the Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering (www.iitk.ac.in/see). The Centre will focus on policy, communications, education and outreach efforts aimed at implementing technology and science-based solutions in the country at large, outside the academic world. The center will become a platform to bring eminent academics, technologists, researchers and policy makers from across the world together to discuss and address these issues.
The Centre also aims to conduct a Master's programme with a specialization In 'Energy Technology and Policy', e-Masters in Energy Technology, Economics and Policy for working professionals and communicate and engage with governments, businesses, and NGOs
The Center will conduct education, research and outreach relevant to energy policy and climate issues. Emphasis will be on research correlating renewable and alternate energy technologies with the economic, regulatory and policy implications of climate change.
Website: https://iitk.ac.in/ckc/
The Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) of India had shared a vision of developing scale-enabling International Centres of Excellence (CoEs) that can translate “promising sustainable technologies and business models, into day-to-day products and services, that are used and accessed by millions, globally”. In this view Center of Excellence – “Advanced Technologies for Monitoring Air-quality iNdicators (CoE -Atman) was proposed and established at IIT Kanpur.
As one of the “Atma-Nirbhar” initiative from the government, the CoE proposal from IITK focuses on building indigenous low-cost sensor manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning capabilities within the country to help with the goal of improving the air quality in all the urban and rural cities/towns and villages of India. At the core of the CoE proposal “ATMAN” was the incubation of critical air quality monitoring technologies, including but not limited to the following: i) Next Gen Atma-Nirbhar PM Sensors; ii) Use of Air Quality sensors for Real-Time Source Attribution and iii) AI/ML for nation-wide AQ monitoring networks.
In the initial phase, the CoE will be supported by a group of philanthropic funders including the Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Open Philanthropy and the Clean Air Fund. CoE Atman is also exploring collaboration with Government agencies and domestic philanthropies, corporates including CSR funding.
Website: https://www.iitk.ac.in/atman/
The mission of Centre for Environment Science and Engineering is to carry out high quality interdisciplinary research, leading to technology development and competency building in various areas related to environmental problems, thereby providing solutions to Indian industry, medical professionals and policy makers.
Our Objectives are to:
- develop a new generation of sensors for efficient and quick in situ detection of environmental conditions including emissions/discharges .
- develop high performance filters and membranes for effective remediation of contaminants.
- develop new catalysts and adsorbents for removal of contaminants in air, soil and water environments.
- utilize nanotechnology for synthesis of sensors, membranes, catalysts and adsorbents.
- study the impact of environmental pollution on human health
- develop genetically-engineered specific micro-organisms for bio remediation of contaminants
- develop environment- friendly technologies for abatement of pollutants.
- promote environmental considerations in product-design and technology development in all fields of engineering
- establish a tripartite relationship between industry, academia and government agencies to nurture and support growth of environmental science and technology
Website: https://www.iitk.ac.in/cese/
Rice-IITK Collaborative center is first of its kind where Rice, a top US university, has established a physical center with a top Indian institute. It was inaugurated on 9th January 2020 when MoU for the Center was signed by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director, IITK, and Prof. Seiichi Matsuda, Interim Provost, Rice University, in the presence of Chief Guest IITK BoG Chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan and Guests of Honour SERB Secretary, Professor Sandeep Verma, and Mr. Rahul Mehta, Mehta Family Foundation in an event organized at IIT Kanpur.
It is envisaged that the Center will foster a thriving research for the development of long-term solutions to meet the ever-increasing global energy demand. Both the institutes being at the forefront of cutting-edge research in energy solutions, this Research Center is expected to facilitate deeper levels of collaborations, exchange of knowledge and perspectives, that will fertilize ground-breaking ideas between the faculty members and researchers creating a conducive environment for both the institutes to undertake grand challenges in the area of sustainable energy and environment. In its initial phase, the Center’s research will focus on designing and developing materials and processes for solar photovoltaics, energy storage, alternative fuels, electrocatalysis, and water treatment and remediation. Besides, Faculty on both institutes will be involved in co-supervising graduate students, publishing high-impact research papers jointly and garnering funds from both federal agencies and industrial sponsors through collaborative research grants.
Website: https://iitk.ac.in/rice-iitk/
Recognizing the critical role of technology in addressing urban challenges, the Airawat Research Foundation (ARF) has been established as a forward-thinking initiative. With initial seed funding for four years from the Ministry of Education, Government of India, ARF aims to explore how AI can transform urban governance. The foundation’s mission aligns with India’s broader goals of sustainable urbanization and equitable development by advancing research and innovation in AI-driven urban solutions.
Mission
To facilitate development of technology-led products and services that help in the development of sustainable cities
Website: https://airawat.org