India's Best Universities: A powerhouse called SRM Institute of Science and Tech
While engineering remains its core strength, with departments spanning Data Science and Business Systems to Genetic Engineering and Physics & Nanotechnology, the university also houses faculties in medicine, law, management, agriculture, pharmacy, nursing, public health, physiotherapy, and the humanities. In the past three years , the university has published 24,387 research papers in Scopus and Web of Science alone—the databases reckoned by national or international ranking agencies like NIRF, QS etc.—which together have earned over 182,000 citations. Its Scopus h-index (a metric that measures productivity and citation impact) exceeds 173, and its average citation index stands at 9.4. The university has filed 1,120 patents, of which 485 have been granted, along with multiple copyrights, trademarks and industrial designs. High-impact research centres like the Nanotech Research Centre, REACH (focused on environment and climate change), and the SRM-DBT Life Sciences Platform drive groundbreaking studies with tangible real-world outcomes.Eighteen centres of excellence, ranging from Electric Mobility and Translational Medicine to Social Entrepreneurship and Defence Studies, further define SRMIST's research ecosystem. Over 652 funded research projects worth over Rs 286 crore have been undertaken, supported by agencies like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Science & Technology (DST) and the Royal Norwegian Embassy.Entrepreneurship thrives here. The Bootstrappers' Research Council, part of the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, has secured Rs 3 crore in funding from DPIIT; the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has sanctioned Rs 10 crore for medical startups. Success stories include Abinava Rizel, an electric vehicle (EV) powertrain start-up, which raised Rs 200 crore for electric motor manufacturing; Torus Robotics with a Rs 15 crore defence contract; Paperplane, a digital hospital platform that secured $1 million (Rs 8.7 crore); and Monkwish, an AI-driven skilling startup that has raised $3 million (Rs 26.1 crore). In all, SRMIST has incubated over 100 startups, developed 88 prototypes, and launched 26 student- and faculty-led ventures.Placements remain one of SRM's biggest draws. In 2024–25, students received 12,925 job offers from 1,700 recruiters, including Amazon, Google, JP Morgan and Pfizer. The highest package touched Rs 65 lakh per annum, while 202 students secured offers above Rs 20 lakh while 44 landed international roles.advertisementLife on campus is just as vibrant beyond the classroom. Milan, one of India's largest cultural festivals, draws over 50,000 participants, while Aaruush—the signature techno-management fest—partners with DRDO and other major organisations. Its alumni network, spanning 29 countries and over 200,000 members, is another testament to its impact. Distinguished names include Sriram Krishnan, senior policy advisor for AI at the White House, and Prithviraj Thondaiman, gold medallist at the 2023 Asian Games. Equally significant is SRMIST's commitment to sustainability. With over 95,000 trees on campus, the institution has pledged to achieve NetZero in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and ranks third in India in the UI GreenMetric ranking.GUEST COLUMN | A wholesome experienceBy Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice-Chancellor, SRMISTI have been associated with SRMIST since its inception as an affiliated college in 1985. Our commitment remains rooted in three pillars: academic rigour, innovation and social impact. In the past year, we have introduced programmes in cutting-edge areas like AI, robotics, digital health, quantum computing, climate science and clean energy. We also run forward-looking courses on design thinking, innovation, intellectual property rights, and entrepreneurship. Faculty training has been key. We have invested heavily in capacity-building, conducting training in-house and sending our faculty to universities here and abroad to learn best practices. While this is an ongoing process, it has already transformed the quality of teaching at SRMIST.advertisementOur students benefit from the multidisciplinary nature of the institute. Students are encouraged to take courses beyond their core disciplines, broadening their perspectives. Campus life is equally vibrant, and we have a large number of student clubs. With 18,000 students living on campus, SRMIST offers a 24/7 immersive environment. Our sports facilities are world-class; our international-standard swimming pool gallery is named after Nethra Kumanan, a current student who became India's first woman to represent the country at the Olympics in Sailing.Research is a cornerstone of SRMIST. Our labs are open 24/7, and we encourage both discipline-specific and interdisciplinary research. We have established an Innovation Centre and an Idea Clinic, where students can post problem statements and collaborate on solutions. We classify research under five pillars: Environment, Energy, Water, Healthcare, and Disruptive Technologies. To date, SRMIST holds 485 granted patents, paving the way for technology transfers and product development.In the past six years, around 100 startups have graduated from our incubation ecosystem. A notable example is Abinava Rizel, which designs electric motors for electric vehicles. After two years of incubation support, including space, patent filing, and funding, they recently secured Rs 200 crore in funding. One of our proudest achievements is our alumni network. Sriram Krishnan, who graduated in 2005, is now Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence in the Trump administration.advertisementCAMPUS NOTES | Making the world our oysterBy K. Niveditha, Master's of Design (Public Spaces), Final Year, School of Architecture and Interior Design (SAID), SRMISTI completed my Bachelor's in Design with a specialisation in Interior Design here at SRMIST. The four years I spent as an undergraduate gave me such a strong foundation that I decided to do my Master's here as well. What I love is that SRM gives equal importance to academics, research and cultural activities. As an architecture student, I have access to excellent infrastructure, including the Fab Lab and its wide range of machines and tools. Working on projects there, collaborating with the lab team and bringing our ideas to life has been a game-changer.SRM's cultural life is just as exciting. I have been part of Prachodaya, our department's architecture fest, experienced the energy of Aaruush, our flagship techno fest, and Milan, of course, our iconic cultural festival that's famous across the country.advertisementWhat makes SRM truly stand out is the endless opportunities it offers. Faculty and students communicate openly and collaborate on research and innovation. In architecture, cross-disciplinary learning is vital, and I have had the chance to work with other departments on projects that encourage creativity and problem-solving. Conferences, workshops and design discussions are frequent, which keeps the academic atmosphere dynamic and idea-driven.Sharing knowledge and learning from others has helped me grow every single day. From orientation—where seniors guide you through courses and campus life—to cultural festivals, SRM has provided me with a platform to evolve not just as a student, but as a person ready for the world.Subscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
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