With over 1,800 research publications and 58 books to his credit, Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao stands as a central figure in solid-state and structural chemistry. Born in Bengaluru in 1934, he navigated an accelerated academic path, completing his bachelor’s degree at seventeen and securing a doctoral degree from Purdue University by age twenty-four.
Academic Formation
Rao’s early education was shaped by home tutoring before he entered middle school at age six. He attended Acharya Patashala high school, where his interest in chemistry solidified. He earned his BSc from Mysore University in 1951, followed by an MSc from Banaras Hindu University. In 1953, he opted for Purdue University over several prominent American institutions to pursue his PhD, which he finalized in 1958 after less than three years of study.
Professional Trajectory
Returning to India in 1959, Rao began his career at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, later moving to the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in 1963. He returned to IISc in 1976 to establish the solid state and structural chemistry unit, eventually serving as the institute’s director from 1984 to 1994. Throughout his career, he held visiting professorships at Oxford, Cambridge, and UC Santa Barbara, and he founded the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in 1989.
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Rao’s research has focused on the properties of transition metal oxides and nanomaterials. He was among the first to synthesize two-dimensional oxide materials like La2CuO4 and contributed to the development of 123 cuprates, which function as liquid nitrogen-temperature superconductors. In the mid-1990s, he achieved the first synthesis of Y junction carbon nanotubes. His systematic work on compositionally controlled metal-insulator transitions has influenced the study of high-temperature superconductivity and colossal magnetoresistance.
Public Service and Honors
Beyond his laboratory research, Rao chaired the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India across two periods: 1985–1989 and 2005–2014. His career has been recognized with numerous distinctions, including the Hughes Medal, the August Wilhelm von Hofmann Medal, and the India Science Award. In 2014, he received the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, becoming the third scientist to be so honored.
Fast facts
- Born: 1934, Bengaluru
- Doctoral degree obtained: Purdue University, 1958
- Director, Indian Institute of Science: 1984–1994
- Bharat Ratna recipient: 2014
- Research output: 1,800+ publications and 58 books
- Fellow of the Royal Society: Elected 1982
- Founder, International Centre for Materials Science: 2010
Questions readers ask
What is the primary field of C.N.R. Rao's research?
His work centers on solid-state and structural chemistry, specifically transition metal oxides, nanomaterials, and superconductivity.
How many honorary doctorates has Rao received?
He has been awarded honorary doctorates from 88 universities worldwide.
Did Rao serve in government advisory roles?
Yes, he served as the chair of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India from 1985–1989 and 2005–2014.
Achievements
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
- Royal Medal — 2009
- Hughes Medal — 2000
- Legion of Honour
- Fellow of the Royal Society
- Held posts at Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research
- Educated at Banaras Hindu University, Bangalore University and Central College of Bengaluru
- Fields of research: solid-state chemistry
