The series was initiated in 1993 as an avenue to invite scholars who could talk to the campus community on subjects of broad interest. Five-to-six such seminars are held each year. Apart from specialist researchers in their respective domains, eminent historians, policy makers, technologists, and leading thinkers have presented their ideas. Distinguished speakers of the past include Dr V.K. Atre (2001), Mr Prahlada (2002), Mr. N.R. Narayanamurthy (2002), Mr. R. Gopalakrishnan (2002), Professor Lalji Singh (2004), and Dr Harsh Gupta (2004). Recently, luminaries such as Professor Herbert Hui of Cornell University (2007), R. Narasimhan (2008) of TIFR and Paul Craddock of the British Museum (2009) have spoken under the aegis of the Institute Lecture.