Education
INST Mohali | Institute of Nano Science & Technology
This article covers everything about INST Mohali. Get to know about its history, admissions process, courses offered, eligibility criteria, contact details, events, and other important information.
Prestigious History of INST Mohali
In accordance with the 2007 “Nano-Mission” launched by the government of India, a broad objective of basic research promotion, human resource development, promotion of international collaboration, direct industrial involvement in the development of Nano applications, and more were set as a growth plan.
With respect to working on the same lines, the government of India agreed on the establishment of INST in Mohali, which is a knowledge city. Moreover, it has been registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. By the Registrar of the Societies of SAS Nagar vide Certification No. 2590, which dates back to 21st August 2009.
The Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) was established in January 2013. Also, it is an autonomous institute in Mohali, Punjab. It was the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, that took the initiative to start this institute under the Nano mission to improve India’s reach, research, and development in the field of Nano Science and Technology.
In 2020, the campus of INST shifted to Sector-81 of Mohali, which has over 35 acres of land. The Institute of Nano Science and Technology includes research programs in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and interdisciplinary sciences. Additionally, it discusses issues in chemical biology, quantum materials, the environment, nano-devices, and the field of energy.
Aim and Mission of the Institute
INST Mohali aims to emerge as the country’s foremost research Nano Science and Technology institute. It is a place where engineers, biologists, chemists, physicists, and material scientists together have an affinity toward the field of Nano Science and Technology.
The primary aim of this institute is to come up with new technologies, solutions, and processes in different sectors of – healthcare, defense, energy, environment, water, and agriculture.
INST comes up with a lot of activities that contribute to some of the major programs of importance to the nation, such as Swasth Bharat, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Smart Cities, Smart Villages, Make in India, Clean & Renewable Energy, etc. Additionally, the institute offers robust solutions and technologies to combat issues related to these programs.
They also have a philanthropic program called the “School adoption program,” which was launched in the year 2015. Through this program, the institute provides the required infrastructure, technological information, and incentives to Government schools in India.
The institute also formulates programs for rural and remote areas targeting the young generation to make them aware of the development of technological solutions.
The exclusive mission of INST Mohali is to ideate solutions, devices, and technologies for defense and commercialization. They also aim to generate affordable devices for the healthcare sector.
Noteworthy Objectives of the Institute of Nano Science & Technology
Some of the schemes on which the institute works are as follows –
- Building of infrastructure and Manpower
- Promotion of research activities in the field of nanoscience and technology
- Giving excellent training to the Ph.D. students
- Imparting advanced training and laboratory techniques at the highest level possible
- Organizing and promoting the students under training to attend national and international level conferences and seminars
- Encouraging novel and challenging innovations and tech/product-based projects
- Publishing scientific research papers that have an impact
- Generation of patents in Nano Science and Technology
- Incubating translational research that reaches the industries from the lab
Modern and High-Tech Facilities at INST
The Institute of Nano Science and Technology promotes research and technology in the field. Since the mission of the facility is so high, advancement in infrastructure and research inventory is important. As a result, the institute has the following technological advancements.
- Research Lab with a microscope, scattering system, analyzers, fluorometer, calorimeter, rheometer, electrochemical workstation, diffractometer, and surface profiler.
- Laboratory with Electron microscopes such as SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope), and AFM (Atomic Force Microscope).
- Spectroscopies include UV-Vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and Photoluminescence spectroscopy.
- XRD (X-ray diffractometer), Thermogravimetric analysis, Differential Thermogravimetric analysis.
- Library with around 400 books in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Seminar Hall, computer center with good speed internet for study or related work. Auditoriums, State-of-art instruments.
Administration of INST Mohali
There is a board of Governors consisting of researchers, administrators, and academicians who manage the Institute of Nano Science and Technology. Prof. Uday Maitra is the chairman of this institute, and the founding chairman is C.N.R. Rao of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur, Bangalore.
Ashok K Ganguli was the director of this institute when it started in January 2013. From January 2018 to March 2020, Hirendra Nath Ghosh was the director. Amitava Patra has been the current director since 11 March 2020. The family of INST can reach out to him through [email protected] for direct communication.
INST Faculty
The Institute of Nano Science and Technology has a notable faculty consisting of scientists and researchers. The faculty here is well-experienced and well-qualified, with Ph.D. degrees and various research papers published in the field of Nano Science and Technology.
There are a total number of 36 scientists and a total of 14 administrative staff.
Professor Amitava Patra is the Director of INST in Mohali. Some of the notable faculty members from the Institute of NanoScience and Technology are:
Dr. Debabrata Patra is the associate professor of this institute. His academic qualifications are B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
Prof. H. N. Ghosh is the Professor at this institute. His academic qualifications are B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
Dr. Jayamurugan Govindasamy is the associate professor of this institute. His academic qualifications are B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
Dr. Kamalakannan Kailasam is the professor at this institute. His academic qualifications are B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
Dr. Menaka Jha is the Scientist-C of this institute. Her academic qualifications are B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
Dr. Monika Singh is the Scientist-C of this institute. Her academic qualifications are B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
Dr. Prakash P. Neelakandan is the Associate Professor of this institute. His academic qualifications are B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
Dr. Ramendra Sundar Dey is the Scientist-C of this institute. His academic qualifications are B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
Dr. Sonalika Vaidya is the Assistant Professor (Scientist-D) of this institute. Her academic qualifications are B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
Dr. Tapasi Sen is the assistant professor (Scientist-D) of this institute. Her academic qualifications include B.Sc, M.Sc, and Ph.D.
Dr. Vivek Bagchi is the Scientist-C of this institute. His academic qualifications are B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.
Significant Areas of Research of the Institute
The major areas of research where The Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, wants to research are Device Physics, Sensors, Agriculture Nanotechnology, Medical Nanotechnology, Nano Biotechnology, Quantum materials and Device Physics, Nano technology-based solutions, and devices related to energy and environment.
Also, under the umbrella of research, INST Mohali provides the opportunity to dive into industrial and sponsored projects. Well-researched publications of various eminent scientists are available on its official website.
Units of The Institute of Nano Science and Technology
The three departments or units of this institute are Energy and Environment Unit, Chemical Biology Unit, and Quantum Material and Devices Unit. Although they are the main units, there are specialized diversions related to each one of them.
Courses Offered at INST Mohali
The courses offered at INST are:
1. The first course is a Ph.D. which has a duration of 3 years. For those ones who want to take their respective field ahead and continue the progression of learning, Post Doctoral for a duration of 2 years is also available.
2. Research Internship with a minimum duration of 3 months and a maximum of 12 months is open for all the aspirants
3. Not to miss the Project Fellowship, which is equally useful and beneficial.
Application Procedure
The students are selected on the basis of ranks obtained in entrance exams like GATE/CSIR or UGC-NET/JEST/JGEEBILS (TIFR/NCBS)/ICMR-JRF/DBT-JRF/DST-INSPIRE/GPAT.
For Ph.D. Programs in INST Mohali
Steps for admission to the Ph.D. program:
- You can apply if you have a degree of M.Sc. or M.Pharm or M.Tech degree, in general,/Applied Sciences/Engineering or similar fields. Final-year students who can produce the degree at the time of joining can also apply.
- Visit the official website of INST. Download the application form and fill in all the information required carefully.
- The candidates should send the filled form and Synopsis to [email protected] as an advance copy.
- Then the candidate has to send some of the documents along with the application form. This needs to be sent to the permanent address of the institute, which is – The Habitat Centre, Phase – 10, Sector – 64 Mohali – 160062.
The documents must include the following:
- Photograph of the Candidate
- Age Certificate
- Candidate’s Educational Qualification (Mark Sheet, Degrees and Certificate of Class 10, 12 and Bachelor’s/Graduate degree, Master Degree Final Marksheet.
- Work Experience certificate in case of a working candidate.
- SC/ST/OBC/PH category certificate – valid and self-attested copies.
After the shortlisting process is completed, the selected candidates are invited for an interview. Post the discussion, the candidates are shortlisted again. A form with the names of the selected candidates is displayed on the official website.
The institute pays for the travel expenses of the candidate for the Rail (Sleeper Class) or Non-AC bus. Candidates need to show the tickets as proof.
Bank Details
The candidate must pay the application fees online to the bank account INST Mohali. You must mention your full name during the transaction. For the General, OBC, and EWS categories, there is a fee of INR 590. For SC.ST, and PH categories, there is a fee of INR 295.
Refer to the mentioned-below details of the bank to pay the required amount.
Account Name: Director, INST Mohali
Account Number: 2452201001102
IFSC Code: CNRB0002452
BANK: CANARA BANK, Sector 34A, Chandigarh 160022
Application Procedure in INST for Internship Programmes
If you are a candidate from any Basic Sciences/Applied Sciences/Engineering Institutes/Universities, you are eligible to apply for an internship at INST Mohali. The scientist or supervisor needs to agree to guide the candidate applying for the Internship.
- Candidates seeking an internship can fill out the application form online.
- Upload all the documents as required and make sure that the documents are scanned properly. Low-quality scans or blurred copies of the documents will be rejected.
- The senior authorities go through all the candidates. The institute sends an e-mail to the selected candidates.
Application Dates of Internship Programmes
Summer Internship
Application Date: 1st March – 21st March
Duration of Programme: May – July
Short Term Internship
Application Date: 1st April – 21st April
Duration of Programme: June – December (3-6 months)
Research Internship
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Duration of program: 1 year
The institute does not provide any stipend to the interns in INST Mohali. Students need to bear their own expenses. There is a Funded Internship program only for the ST candidates where they get an allowance of INR 10,000 every month for Research Projects in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.
Campus Life at INST Mohali
Besides imparting the best quality technical and scientific knowledge, the campus organizes various seminars and conferences for real experience. From celebrating little things to being a part of international-level meetups, INST is not behind.
Some of the noteworthy events are teachers’ day, Swachh Bharat Program, the 8th MRS trilateral conference, yoga day, and more. Researchers and students of the institute have always found solutions to fight the issues, be it agricultural or any other.
Conclusion
INST in Mohali combines fundamental science with advancements in technologies to deal with problems that are of national and global importance.
For more information, visit the official website of the institute and the Facebook page.
Address
Sector – 81, Knowledge City, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab, Pin – 140306
Timings
Monday – Friday (9 am – 5 pm)
Contact No
0172 221 0075, 2210057, 2210056
Website
Education
Chandigarh Teacher Parveen Kumari Honored with National Award
A Proud Moment for Chandigarh
Parveen Kumari, a dedicated teacher from Chandigarh, has been chosen for the National Teachers’ Award 2025.
Parveen Kumari Honored with National Award, marking a proud moment for Chandigarh as she joins just 45 teachers across India recognized this year. A Social Studies teacher at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 20-B, she will be celebrated on September 5, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The honor from the Ministry of Education carries a certificate, silver medal, and a ₹50,000 cash prize.
The Chandigarh Education Department expressed pride in her achievement, stating that the recognition reflects their transparent and fair nomination process. Director Harshuhinder Pal Singh Brar emphasized that her success validates their approach, while Secretary Prerna Puri noted that focusing on true contributions helps identify national role models.
For Parveen, the award is deeply personal. Overwhelmed with happiness, she shared her emotions in simple words, while her retired teacher parents felt immense pride. Her father, Pawan Kumar, praised her consistent dedication, and her mother, Naresh Kumari, reflected on their years of hard work. Her supportive husband Rajneesh, along with children Parth and Prachi, also celebrated the achievement.
Parveen has brought innovation into her classrooms. With advanced degrees in English, History, and MPhil, she introduced creative methods such as puppet shows, role-play, music, and dance to make Social Studies engaging. She built a Social Science Lab, set up a Herbal Nursery and Lily Pond, and shared over 150 resources on platforms like Diksha, PM Vidya, and Kishor Manch to support inclusive education.
Her influence extends beyond academics. Since 2018, she has led the Student Police Cadet (SPC) Program, empowering girls with skills like self-defense and road safety. As a Guide Captain, she has taken students to national and international jamborees and now serves as the State Training Commissioner, training educators to establish Guide units in schools.
Parveen also champions environmental causes. She spearheaded campaigns such as “Go Green Diwali” and “Herbal Holi,” along with anti-tobacco and substance abuse awareness programs. Recognized with several honors, including the Eco Warrior Award in 2024, her efforts earned praise from senior environmentalists.
Her dedication continues a family legacy in teaching, inspired by her uncle Om Parkash, a 2011 National Teachers’ Award recipient. Colleagues describe her as an all-rounder with a cheerful spirit, always ready to serve.
Ultimately, Parveen Kumari Honored with National Award symbolizes more than an individual achievement. It reflects her unwavering commitment to education, community, and environment, inspiring both students and teachers to pursue excellence and make a lasting impact.
Education
Ludhiana Teachers Frustrated by Technical Issues in Transfer Process
Problems with the Teacher Transfer Process
Teachers in Ludhiana are feeling frustrated. Their ability to select their new stations for transfers has hit a snag due to technical problems. T
Problems with the Teacher Transfer Process
Ludhiana Teachers Frustrated as their ability to select new stations for transfers has hit a snag due to technical problems. The education department has paused the station selection process after numerous complaints from teachers.
The troubles started when teachers noticed serious problems with the online link used for the transfer process. This led to a lot of confusion and complaints among educators. Many teachers began to worry about how these issues would affect their jobs and students.
Details of the Halted Process
On August 7, the education department issued a letter confirming that the station selection for primary cadre teachers was temporarily put on hold. The department mentioned that they would address the problems and reopen the process on August 12.
Teachers have reported that many options for new stations were missing on the portal. Some could not access the link at all. This has made it very difficult for schools to manage staff and has disrupted the normal school routine.
The delay has forced some schools to bring in new teachers right in the middle of the academic year. This is concerning for many educators. They believe it can hurt both teaching quality and student learning.
Voices from Teachers
Dharamjeet Singh Dhillon, the district president of the Lecturer Cadre Union, spoke about the problem. He said, “Every teacher has their own style of teaching, and students adapt to it in the first few months.” He believes that moving a teacher during the school year can confuse both students and teachers. It can also make it harder to cover the syllabus.
Dhillon added that the short time given to submit preferences is not enough. He believes transfers should be finalized by June at the latest. This way, schools can start the year smoothly.
Further Complications
A similar notice for the secondary teachers was issued on August 8. However, there was no specific date provided for when the portal would reopen. This has left teachers feeling anxious.
Daljit Singh Samrala, the district president of the Democratic Teachers’ Front, raised concerns as well. He stated that some school principals are not approving transfers. They are worried about shortages in their schools. This creates further obstacles for teachers trying to move to new positions.
Samrala emphasized that “Every teacher has the right to seek a transfer.” He also mentioned that union members met with the Director of Secondary Education to talk about these issues. He believes the current situation is causing many disruptions in the education system.
Impact on Education
As the portal remains inactive and the process is on hold, teachers say that this is not just a technical issue. They believe it has a serious impact on how classes run in Punjab’s schools. Teachers are deeply worried about how this might affect students’ learning.
Punjab has seen many problems with the online transfer process for teachers. These issues have shown deeper problems in how education is managed. Regular mid-session transfers are often seen as disruptive. They hinder the syllabus coverage and make it hard for students and teachers to adapt.
Ludhiana, one of the largest cities in Punjab, is known for its strong textile industry. This industry puts pressure on schools to maintain quality education despite staff changes. It is important for schools to have stable environments so that teachers and students can learn effectively.
Looking Forward
Teachers hope for a quick solution to these technical issues. They urge the education department to improve the online system. They want the process to be more efficient and fair.
The department needs to consider the voices of teachers in this matter. Keeping communication open can help ensure that everyone is on the same page. This will help address why Ludhiana teachers frustrated over the transfer process, and create a better learning environment for students, allowing them to have a smooth educational experience.
Conclusion
However, the current pause in the teacher transfer process highlights ongoing struggles within the education system. Ludhiana Teachers Frustrated by these delays want to see improvements that will benefit all involved. A stable and clear process will lead to better teaching conditions, which will ultimately help students learn and grow in their academic journey.
Education
Governor Kataria Reviews Chandigarh’s Education and Sports Policies
Overview of the Meeting
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria held an important meeting on Friday.
Overview of the Meeting
Governor Kataria reviews Chandigarh education and sports policies during an important meeting held on Friday. As Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator, Gulab Chand Kataria aimed to assess how effectively these plans are improving schools and sports programs in the city.
Updates from the School Education Department
During the meeting, Kataria learned about the ongoing recruitment drive in the School Education Department. So far, 739 people have been appointed for teaching positions out of 993 available jobs. This shows a strong effort to strengthen the educational infrastructure in Chandigarh.
One exciting project is the School Volleyball Programme. This program is a team effort with the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation. It is currently running in 108 government schools. The aim is to promote sports among students and encourage more kids to play volleyball.
Supporting Future Success with UDAAN
Another important initiative is called UDAAN. This program helps 125 talented students from government schools by providing them free coaching for competitive exams. These exams include very important ones like JEE and NEET. Along with coaching, the program offers mentorship from experienced teachers and professionals.
- Students get help with academic planning.
- They receive motivational support.
- Stress management is also part of the program.
- Overall personal development is a key focus.
With this guidance, students not only learn subjects but also gain emotional support. This helps them feel better prepared for their exams.
Sports Department Initiatives
The discussion also covered the Sports Department. Kataria highlighted some major sports projects. One of the most exciting is the upcoming International Chandigarh Marathon. It will take place in November 2025. The marathon will have a route certified by World Athletics, showing that Chandigarh is becoming a place for international events.
To support sports, the city is making big changes. There will be an Olympic-standard swimming pool, a multipurpose indoor hall, and a hostel for girl athletes built in Sector 42. Furthermore, the upgraded cricket ground in Sector 16 is set to open in August.
Additionally, Kataria praised the city for successfully hosting several national-level sports championships this year. These include:
- North Zone Chess Championship
- National Championship of Table Tennis
New coaches have been hired, and sports associations received financial support. These efforts are important for developing a vibrant sports culture in Chandigarh.
Focus on Higher and Technical Education
In the area of Higher and Technical Education, Kataria reviewed faculty recruitment and job placements. He learned that two rounds of centralised counselling helped fill over 95 percent of the seats in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. This is good news because it shows a high demand for education.
For the 2025-26 school year, there will even be an extra 200 undergraduate seats available. Kataria stressed the need to monitor faculty performance more closely in higher education. He also called for better sports programs and facilities in colleges.
Proposed Changes for Improvement
To ensure schools and colleges are succeeding, Kataria proposed transparent ways to evaluate performance. This means that both academic results and sports achievements will be measured clearly.
Progress on the EduCity Project
The meeting also touched on the EduCity project in Sarangpur. This project is aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for students. Plans were also shared for granting autonomous status to some colleges. This could give them more freedom to operate independently.
Moreover, there are upcoming partnerships under the Chandigarh Skill Development Mission. Transformative programs, such as the Model ITI at Burail Jail and the National ITI Upgradation Scheme, are working to improve vocational training and technical education.
Looking Ahead
Kataria praised all departments for their proactive work. He emphasized the need for continuous effort in education and sports. He stated, “The Education and Sports Departments have taken commendable steps to empower students and youth in Chandigarh.”
To make everything work better, he asked departments to improve processes. They should ensure clear performance indicators so the impact of their programs can be measured effectively.
Furthermore, Kataria stressed the importance of regular monitoring of progress. Better coordination between departments and the use of technology will help improve transparency and accountability in education and sports.
Conclusion
In summary, as Governor Kataria reviews Chandigarh progress, his meeting highlighted many exciting developments in education and sports. The city is focused on creating strong support for both students and athletes. With these initiatives, Chandigarh aims to build a bright future for its youth.
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