Umesh V Waghmare appointed as Secretary- Dept of Science & Technology
Prof. Umesh V Waghmare presently President & Professor- Theoretical Sciences Unit,
Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru has been appointed as Secretary- Department of Science & Technology till the date of his attaining the age of 60 years by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare is one of India’s leading theoretical physicists, renowned for his pioneering contributions to computational materials science, condensed matter physics and first-principles modelling of functional materials. Over a career spanning more than two decades, he has established himself as an internationally respected researcher whose work has significantly advanced the understanding of materials at the atomic scale, contributing to developments in energy, electronics and nanotechnology.
Prof. Waghmare began his academic journey at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, where he earned a B.Tech. in Engineering Physics in 1990. Graduating with the prestigious Institute Silver Medal, he distinguished himself through outstanding academic performance and laid a strong foundation in physics and engineering.
Pursuing advanced studies in the United States, he obtained his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Yale University, New Haven, in 1996. His doctoral research strengthened his expertise in theoretical and computational approaches to materials science, preparing him for a career at the forefront of modern physics research.
Following his doctorate, Prof. Waghmare undertook postdoctoral research at Harvard University from 1996 to 2000. During this period, he worked on advanced problems in condensed matter physics and computational modelling, collaborating with leading researchers and further expanding his scientific horizons. The experience provided him with exposure to cutting-edge research methodologies that would later shape his own research programme.
In 2000, Prof. Waghmare returned to India to join the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, as an Assistant Professor. His appointment marked the beginning of a distinguished academic career dedicated to building world-class research in theoretical materials science within India. Through sustained research and academic leadership, he rose through the faculty ranks and has served as Professor in the Theoretical Sciences Unit at JNCASR since 2009.
His research focuses on computational materials science, electronic structure theory, density functional theory, ferroic materials, nanomaterials and functional materials with applications in electronics and energy technologies. By combining advanced theoretical models with high-performance computational techniques, Prof. Waghmare has contributed to a deeper understanding of the structure-property relationships that govern material behaviour.
Beyond JNCASR, he has maintained strong international academic collaborations. He served as an Adjunct Professor at the Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, from 2010 to 2012, where he collaborated on research in nanoscience and advanced materials. He also held the position of Adjunct Professor at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, from 2014 to 2017, strengthening interdisciplinary research collaborations within India.
Widely respected for his scientific scholarship and mentorship, Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare has played an important role in advancing theoretical physics and computational materials research in India. His career reflects a sustained commitment to scientific excellence, international collaboration and nurturing the next generation of researchers, making him one of the country’s most accomplished scientists in the field of theoretical materials science.
Indian Bureaucracy News wishes Prof. Umesh V Waghmare the very best.