Kanpur, September 5, 2026: Professor Sankar Prasad Rath from the Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), was conferred the National Award to Teachers 2026 for excellence in teaching, research, and institutional service. He was among 21 teachers conferred the prestigious award by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on September 5, 2026.

Prof. Rath has been associated with IIT Kanpur since 2004 and has been serving as a full Professor in the Department of Chemistry since 2014. His research explores how tiny iron-containing centres inside proteins enable living organisms to use oxygen, produce energy, and carry out the chemical reactions that are essential for survival. He has authored more than 165 research articles in high-impact, peer-reviewed international journals and has served as a supervisor for 27 PhD students, 40 master’s students, and 25 post-doctoral researchers.

Teaching and mentorship have remained central to Prof. Rath’s academic career. At IIT Kanpur, he has designed the undergraduate elective “Inorganic Molecules, Materials & Medicine,” which connects the fundamental chemistry behind our day-to-day activities and life processes. He has also taught IIT Preparatory Courses aimed at strengthening the academic foundations of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Reflecting on the recognition, Professor Sankar Rath said, “I feel deeply honoured, humbled, and profoundly grateful to receive the National Award to Teachers.I do not regard it as an individual accomplishment; I share it with my teachers, mentors, colleagues, IIT Kanpur, and, above all, generations of students whose curiosity and questions have continually inspired me to become a better teacher. This award also brings greater responsibility—to keep innovating, mentor students with deeper care, and extend quality science education beyond my classroom. It reaffirms my firm belief that excellence in research and dedication to teaching are not competing responsibilities; rather, they strengthen and enrich one another. Together, they embody the larger mission of an academic institution—to advance knowledge, inspire future generations, and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.”

Prof. Rath’s contributions have earned him numerous prestigious honours, including the Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers (Germany), the JSPS Invitational Fellowship (Japan), the Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI) Bronze and Silver Medals, the C. N. R. Rao National Prize in Chemical Sciences (CRSI), and the SERB Science and Technology Award for Research (SERB-STAR). He has held several Chair Professorships at IIT Kanpur, has been elected as a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy (FNA), the Indian Academy of Sciences (FASc), the National Academy of Sciences, India (FNASc), and currently holds the J. C. Bose National Fellowship awarded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Beyond teaching and research, Prof. Rath has contributed to student welfare, curriculum development, and academic administration at IIT Kanpur. He has served on various departmental and institute-level academic committees, including the Undergraduate Academic Review Committee (UGARC), and has worked as a Faculty Counsellor and Faculty Guide for students. His recognition celebrates the enduring impact of educators who inspire students, advance knowledge, and contribute to the nation’s progress.

About IIT Kanpur

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, is recognised as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India. Renowned for excellence in science, engineering, and interdisciplinary education, IIT Kanpur spans a 1,050-acre lush green campus and comprises 20 departments, 27 centres, three interdisciplinary programmes, and three specialised schools. With over 570 faculty members and more than 9,500 students, the institute continues to lead in innovation, research, and holistic development.

For more information, please visit: www.iitk.ac.in