Chandigarh University Establishes Research Chair in Honour of Narinder Singh Kapany
Chandigarh University has announced the establishment of the Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany Research Chair for Excellence in Sciences and Innovation. The announcement was made on October 31, 2026, during a programme marking the 100th birth anniversary of the pioneering fibre-optics scientist.
The university says the chair will support scientific research and innovation through mentorship, research guidance and funding. It has announced an annual grant of ₹1 crore for related research and awards. The initiative is intended to encourage students and researchers to develop ideas, pursue advanced research and work towards practical applications.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Institution | Chandigarh University |
| Research chair | Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany Research Chair for Excellence in Sciences and Innovation |
| Announcement date | October 31, 2026 |
| Annual research grant | ₹1 crore |
| Focus | Scientific research, innovation and support for emerging researchers |
Three Award Areas Announced
The annual grant will support three award areas: the Narinder Singh Kapany Award for Excellence in Physics, CU Physics Excellence Awards for Best Research Publication, and CU Physics Excellence Awards for Best Patent. The university says the patent awards will support selected work moving towards product development, while the publication awards will recognise research by its students and faculty.
At the centenary programme, the first Narinder Singh Kapany Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Physics was presented to Dr. Ajoy Ghatak, Professor Emeritus at IIT Delhi. The event also recognised patent and research-paper work by university researchers.
Why the Research Chair Matters
Kapany’s work on optical fibres helped establish the foundations of fibre-optics technology. Optical fibres now play a central role in telecommunications, data transmission and medical imaging. The new chair connects that legacy with support for current research in physics and related fields.
For students and early-career researchers, the practical details to watch are the eligibility criteria, award categories, application or nomination process, and dates for future grant cycles. Chandigarh University’s announcement describes annual awards, but a public application schedule and detailed eligibility rules were not specified in the information available for this report. Applicants should check the university’s official channels for those details before preparing a submission.
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 31, 2026 | Research chair announced at the birth-centenary programme |
| Future annual cycles | Research grant and award details to be confirmed by the university |
Important Links
Chandigarh University official website: https://www.cuchd.in/
