News

Link: PhD Topics list for Spring Semester 2026-27

The Interviews will be conducted OFFLINE as per the following schedule: 

• December 3, 2026 (Thursday): From 9.00 AM onwards.
• December 4, 2026 (Friday): From 9.00 AM onwards.
• December 5, 2026 (Saturday) (Reserve Day): From 9.00 AM onwards

The interviews will be conducted till all candidates scheduled for the day have been completed.

Venue: Conference Room 102-B, First floor, Dept of Earth Sciences.

Link:   PhD Admissions, Spring Semester 2026-27

Topic     : "The Himalaya through times: Pre-Himalayan Tectonics and Its Implications for Cenozoic orogenesis"

Name    :  Dr. Gargi Deshmukh

Date      :  14^th Oct 2026

Time      :  4.00 PM

Venue    :  Seminar Room (113), Dept of Earth Sciences

At the Department of Earth Sciences, IIT Bombay, creating an environment where science flourishes is a shared responsibility. From professors and researchers to students and our dedicated housekeeping staff, everyone plays a vital role in keeping our spaces clean, safe, and inspiring.

Because great discoveries begin in an environment where everyone cares! 💚🌱

🎥 Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMo-DqAV_5M

Students from the Department of Earth Sciences at IIT Bombay recently completed an intensive, practical workshop on Fire Safety, CPR, Lab Safety, and Life-Saving Techniques. Designed to build essential emergency response skills, the hands-on session equipped participants with protocols for laboratory safety and live fire management.

The interactive workshop was led by IIT Bombay’s Fire Safety Office alongside Dr. Manjeet Singh Arora, Consultant at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, widely known as the "CPR Man of India." Through live demonstrations and real-time practice, students gained critical tools to handle workplace hazards and medical emergencies effectively.

Date: August 22, 2026

Venue: Aspire, Research Park, IIT Bombay

The Department successfully hosted its 64th Convocation Departmental Degree Award Function on August 22, 2026, at Aspire, located in the Research Park, IIT Bombay. The ceremony marked a major milestone for graduating students as they received their hard-earned degrees in the presence of faculty, family, and distinguished guests.

The event was graced by Shri. Arun Misra, CEO & ED of Vedanta Ltd., as the Chief Guest, alongside Prof. N. V. Chalapathi Rao, Director of NCESS, Trivandrum, who attended as the Guest of Honor.

Link to full gallery

Event Highlights

• Degree Distribution: Graduating students were formally awarded their degrees on stage, celebrating their academic achievements and dedication.

• Brochure Release: The Department officially released its latest departmental brochure, highlighting key achievements, research developments, and academic initiatives.

• Interactive Session: Students had the opportunity to interact directly with Shri. Arun Misra and Prof. N. V. Chalapathi Rao, gaining valuable career guidance and industry insights.

The Department congratulates all the new graduates and wishes them continued success in their future professional endeavors.

Representing the startup UrjanovaC Pvt Ltd, co-founder Prof Vikram Vishal presented replicas made of calcium carbonate containing 100% CO2 captured from air and calcium derived from basalts to the Prime Minister to India, Shri Narendra Modi and the President of France, Mr Emmanuel Macron during the visit to France under Ministry of Education’s initiative Bharat Innovates 2026 - A global accelerator for Indian innovations.

A team from the Department of Earth Sciences, IIT Bombay, secured 3rd Place in the Asia Pacific Regional Finals of the AAPG Imperial Barrel Award 2026 in the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) track. The team developed an integrated workflow involving seismic interpretation, petrophysical analysis, CO₂ storage assessment, reservoir simulation, geomechanical evaluation, and techno-economic analysis to evaluate saline aquifer sequestration and CO₂-EOR potential.

Team NexOil from the Department of Earth Sciences won 1st Place in the bp India Student Challenge 2026. The team proposed an integrated subsurface development strategy for a mature offshore reservoir by combining geological interpretation, reservoir characterization, production diagnostics, CRM-based connectivity analysis, 4D seismic interpretation, uncertainty quantification, and EOR screening. The victory earned the team a fully sponsored opportunity to attend APGCE 2026, Kuala Lumpur.

Team Liquidator, representing IIT Bombay, secured 3rd Place in the prestigious EAGE Laurie Dake Challenge 2026, an international competition in integrated geoscience and reservoir engineering. The team developed innovative reservoir management strategies to improve hydrocarbon recovery from a mature field with high water cut by integrating geological, geophysical, and reservoir engineering approaches, competing successfully against leading universities worldwide.

The Department of Earth Sciences at IIT Bombay observed Earth Day on April 22, 2026, fostering environmental awareness through a vibrant day of competition, education, and community action. The event brought together esteemed faculty, dedicated research scholars, and the next generation of environmental stewards.

Engaging the Youth

Students from Class 7 and 8 representing KV School and the IIT Bombay Campus School participated in the festivities. The department hosted two primary competitions to encourage creative thinking about our planet:

• Essay Writing: Students shared their visions for a greener future.

• Painting: Young artists captured the beauty and fragility of the Earth.

In recognition of their efforts, winners were honored with trophies, while every student participant received a certificate of participation to mark their contribution to the cause.

Knowledge Sharing & Sustainability

The event featured a series of insightful short talks delivered by Research Scholars from the Department of Earth Sciences. These presentations focused on practical, sustainable practices that individuals can adopt to mitigate environmental impact.

Key Highlights & Guest Presence

The celebration was anchored by distinguished academic leaders and physical activities:

• Distinguished Guests: The department was honored to host Prof. K.C. Sahu as the Chief Guest. Additionally, Deputy Director Prof. Milind Atrey graced the occasion, taking the time to interact closely with the school students.

• The Earth Walk: A ceremonial walk was held from the Department of Earth Sciences building to the Main Building, symbolizing a collective journey toward environmental mindfulness.

• Tree Plantation: Following the walk, a plantation drive took place at the department building, leaving a lasting green footprint on the campus.

The earth science community recently gathered for a compelling seminar titled “Role of Women in Advancing Geosciences: Challenges and Opportunities,” held on March 23, 2026, to commemorate International Women’s Day. The event, hosted at the SOM Auditorium, brought together students, researchers, and distinguished experts to discuss the evolving landscape for women in the earth sciences.

Highlights of the Seminar

The program featured a series of in-depth discussions focused on the professional journey of women scientists, addressing both the systemic hurdles and the emerging opportunities within the field.

Distinguished Guest Speakers included:

• Dr. Pratishtha T. Pandey: Scientist, Department of Science and Technology (DST).

• Prof. Archana Bhattacharyya: INSA Distinguished Scientist, Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG).

• Prof. Haripriya G.: Institute Chair Professor, Department of Economics, IIT Bombay.

Community Participation

The seminar saw a strong turnout from the academic community:

• Scholarly Engagement: Research scholars, Post-Doctoral Fellows, and second-year M.Tech students attended the full session, engaging deeply with the speakers' insights.

• Student Involvement: M.Sc., B.Sc., and first-year M.Tech students joined the discourse during their class breaks, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.

The Department of Earth Sciences, IIT Bombay, organized a departmental conclave dedicated to its postgraduate alumni on 27th February 2026. The event served as a platform to strengthen the connection between former students and the faculty of the department.

The conclave enabled meaningful interaction, allowing alumni to reconnect with the department and actively engage with faculty members. It also provided an avenue for alumni to share their professional experiences, insights, and career journeys, thereby contributing to an enriching exchange of ideas.

The Department of Earth Sciences, IIT Bombay, was awarded recognition in Phase 4 of the Clean Campus Drive in appreciation of its sustained efforts toward maintaining cleanliness across the department.

The Clean Campus Drive is an institute-wide initiative aimed at encouraging cleanliness, effective waste management, and environmental awareness within the campus community. During Phase 4, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted between 23rd and 27th February 2026 by a committee constituted by the Director. The assessment covered various units of the institute, including academic departments, Section-8 companies, hostels, non-academic buildings, and designated campus zones.