V Ramgopal Rao

At the heart of India’s semiconductor and nanoelectronics renaissance stands V Ramgopal Rao, currently serving as the group vice‑chancellor of BITS Pilani and former director of IIT Delhi (2016–2021). He has authored over 480 research papers and holds more than 50 patents, including 20 issued in the US, with 15 licensed for commercial use.

Under his guidance, IIT Delhi earned the prestigious Institution of Eminence status in 2018 and launched India’s first Global Alumni Endowment Fund, which was kick-started with ₹265 crore. Since moving to BITS Pilani in 2023, he has overseen the expansion of campuses nationwide.

He’s a driving force in practical tech innovation, co-founding startups like Nanosniff and Soilsens, and leading the centre of excellence in Nanoelectronics. He has also worked on improving slew rate in FinFET-based technology. His accolades include India’s top science honours, the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (2005) and Infosys Prize (2013), along with over 30 national and international awards.

A fellow of IEEE and India’s major science academies, Rao also served on editorial boards (including IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices) and contributed to industry and policy forums. From pioneering nanoelectronics to nurturing India’s next-gen tech institutes, V Ramgopal Rao’s journey blends top-tier research, leadership, and a passion for innovation that shapes both education and industry.