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IIT Delhi Professor and Renowned Scientist Krishna AchutaRao Passes Away at 62

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Prof. Krishna AchutaRao, Head of IIT Delhi’s Centre for Atmospheric Sciences and a lead IPCC author, died on 4 September 2026, at the age of 62, after nearly two decades at the institute.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi announced the death of Professor Krishna AchutaRao, a senior faculty member at the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences (CAS), on 4 September 2026, at the age of 62.

In a statement issued on its official handle, the institute said Prof. AchutaRao had served at IIT Delhi for close to two decades, during which he held several positions of responsibility, including Dean (Faculty) and Head of CAS. He was also credited with playing an instrumental role in establishing the institute’s Centre of Excellence for Climate Change Adaptation.

Image Credits: IIT Delhi Twitter Account

According to his faculty profile on the CAS website, Prof. AchutaRao’s research centred on using climate models to understand how natural and human factors affect the Earth’s climate, including attributing extreme weather events and adapting to a warming climate. He previously worked at the Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the United States before returning to India in 2007 to join IIT Delhi. He also served as Associate Faculty at the institute’s School of Public Policy.

Prof. AchutaRao’s association with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) dated back to 2001, during which he served as a lead author for the organisation’s Fifth and Sixth Assessment Reports. He also held advisory roles with the World Climate Research Programme’s CLIVAR Core Project, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, among other national and international review panels.

Climate scientist Roxy Mathew Koll of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, was quoted as saying that Prof. AchutaRao was known for “questioning compromises in scientific rigour” and would be missed by colleagues and friends. Colleagues have separately noted that his research helped establish the extent to which human-induced climate change could be detected in observed temperature trends across different parts of India, linking international climate science with region-specific risk assessment.

IIT Delhi extended its condolences to Prof. AchutaRao’s family, friends, and students, describing his passing as a loss to the institute’s academic and research community. Details of the circumstances of his death have not been officially disclosed, and no memorial event has been announced at the time of publication.

 

Image Source: IIT Delhi

Read Also: DU Partners with AMD to train students in AI and Semiconductor Technologies

 

Vidhi Ramchandani

[email protected]

 

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PM Modi Attends SRCC’s Centenary Celebrations on Teachers’ Day

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PM Modi at SRCC

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) on 5th September 2026, arriving by Delhi Metro and interacting with students and fellow passengers along the way.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce at Delhi University’s North Campus on the evening of 5th September 2026, coinciding with Teachers’ Day. He arrived by Delhi Metro, travelling with ordinary commuters and interacting with students and children during the journey. This is his first visit to the college since 2013.

Addressing the gathering, Modi described the occasion as historic, for SRCC as well as for the education sector at large. He drew on the metaphor of age and experience, saying that when a person lives for a hundred years they become an ocean of experience, and when an institution does the same, it becomes an ocean of achievement and inspiration. He credited the college’s century-long journey with shaping generations of students and connecting them with a brighter future. Referring to its alumni in student parlance, he said, “In your language, I would say the alumni here are the OGs.” 

Kamya, a first-year student at SRCC, described the event as amazing and full of life.

The PM’s speech was anything but long and boring. He connected with us really well, and it was fun to see him use our slang. ⁠It was an honour to hear from esteemed alumnus Rajat Sharma, who shared his experiences at college. ⁠⁠The event truly filled me with vigour and pride, and made me realise for the first time the enormity of being a student at SRCC”,

she told DU Beat. 

Carrying a Metro card, Modi travelled alongside daily commuters and was seen in conversation with young passengers and children during the journey, creating an unusual scene inside a Delhi Metro coach. Ahead of the event, he had posted on X: “This college has distinguished itself over the years, making a mark for academic excellence, institution-building and for nurturing generations of leaders in business, public life and society.” 

Following the lighting of the lamp, SRCC officials presented Modi with a commemorative framed memento recognising the college’s centenary. A notable aspect of the visit was his planned direct interaction with Generation Z students, providing them the opportunity to express their views, aspirations and concerns. 

Established in 1926 by industrialist and philanthropist Sir Shri Ram, SRCC is one of India’s premier institutions in commerce, economics and management. Over the past century, it has produced professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers and administrators across sectors. The centenary celebrations brought together current students, former faculty and alumni, marking a hundred years of the institution’s presence and accolades in Indian public life. 

Image Source: ANI

Read Also: Delhi University Opens CES 2026 Applications for Odd Semester 

Rishika Jain
[email protected] 

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DUB News

DU Partners with AMD to train students in AI and Semiconductor Technologies

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AMD’s representatives with DU’s VC Yogesh Singh

DU partners with AMD to upskill 10,000 students in AI with hands-on training, open-source tools, cloud GPU credits, and industry-ready learning.  

The University of Delhi has partnered with Chipmaker AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) to equip students with industry-relevant artificial intelligence (AI) skills. The two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday to bring AMD’s AI Engage Developer Program to the university.

Under the partnership, students and faculty will gain hands-on access to AMD’s open-source ROCm™ AI software platform, AI learning resources, technical workshops, and GPU cloud credits. The programme also includes access to cloud-based GPU infrastructure, enabling participants to experiment, conduct research, and build real-world AI applications. The initiative aims to train up to 10,000 students within the next year, helping them move beyond theoretical learning to designing, testing, and deploying AI solutions using industry-grade tools.

“India has the talent and the ambition to lead the next wave of AI innovation. The opportunity now is to give students early access to the platforms and tools that power real-world AI development. Through our collaboration with the University of Delhi, we are helping students move from learning AI concepts to building AI solutions,” said Jaya Jagadish, Country Head and Senior Vice President, AMD India.

According to DU, the collaboration is designed to strengthen India’s AI talent pipeline by integrating practical AI education into academic programmes. Alongside classroom learning, students will gain access to modern AI computing platforms and open-source development tools, bridging the gap between academia and industry.

Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi, said, “

We are proud to partner with AMD in advancing AI education and innovation in India. This collaboration reflects a growing industry focus on preparing graduates with practical AI skills that extend beyond classroom learning. By combining academic learning with access to modern AI computing platforms, AMD and Delhi University will help create a stronger pipeline of AI developers and researchers to support India’s expanding digital economy.

The initiative forms part of AMD’s broader strategy to strengthen India’s AI ecosystem through academic collaborations, developer enablement, and open AI innovation, while also supporting the country’s growing demand for skilled AI and semiconductor talent.

 

Kaustubh Dwivedi

[email protected]

Image Source – EnterpriseAI.com 

Read Also: Delhi University Opens CES 2026 Applications for Odd Semester 

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Noida Workers’ Protest landed a DU Student Aakriti Chaudhary in Jail; Allahabad HC Scraps Detention

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Aakriti Chaudhary remains on trial as Allahabad High Court scraps her detention under NSA.

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday quashed Noida Police’s detention of a DU Law student and activist, Aakriti Chaudhary, under the National Security Act (NSA).

Aakriti Chaudhary, a 25-year-old history graduate from Delhi University, who recently enrolled in Law, was accused of instigating arson and stone-pelting by industrial workers during a protest in the city on April 13 demanding an increase in minimum wages.

She was arrested on April 12 before the unrest near Botanical Garden and has been behind bars ever since. 

Aakriti was named in 11 FIRs, and a month later, the NSA was invoked against her.

While the court’s order has set aside her NSA detention, describing it as “arbitrary and vague”, it does not automatically bring an end to the FIRs in which she was arrested.

Her lawyer, Manik Gupta, said Aakriti had been arrested in multiple FIRs linked to the episode. She has secured bail in some of the cases, but remains in custody as proceedings in others continue.

Out of the 11 FIRs against her, Aakriti has secured bail in five FIRs, while six bail pleas are yet to be heard in the High Court

The police also allegedly relied on WhatsApp groups of which Choudhary was a member. Gupta said these were old groups comprising Delhi University students and that, despite having access to her phone, the police could not produce before the court any message or video showing her calling for violence.

Aakriti’s counsel Manik Gupta said police had failed to produce any evidence in court to support their arguments that she was instrumental in instigating mobs on April 13. Pointing to all the “illegalities” of the state police and showed photos of the Karawal Nagar event where children participated in a cultural programme, being framed as a conspiracy meeting.

Allowing her habeas corpus plea after finding several procedural lapses when it examined the sequence of her arrest and issuance of notices by police under BNSS, a division bench of Justices Atul Sreedharan and Achal Sachdev ordered compensation of Rs 5 lakh for Aakriti and directed her immediate release if arrest was not warranted in any other case.

For Aakriti, however, the legal battle is far from over. While the DU student still awaits a trial in the remaining FIRs, she is still actively advocating for the trials of other people detained and arrested in the Noida Protest.

Image Source: Maktoob Media

Read Also: Delhi University Opens CES 2026 Applications for Odd Semester

Aridaman Singh 

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Campus Central

Delhi University Opens CES 2026 Applications for Odd Semester

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The University of Delhi campus, where CES applicants can enroll in individual papers alongside regular students for the 2026 odd semester.

Delhi University has opened applications for its Competence Enhancement Scheme (CES) for the 2026 odd semester, allowing candidates to enroll in individual papers offered by university departments and colleges, per the official CES portal.

The University of Delhi opened applications for its Competence Enhancement Scheme (CES) for the 2026 odd semester on September 2, allowing candidates to register for individual papers offered by university departments and colleges without enrolling in a full degree programme, according to the official CES portal.

According to the portal, an applicant may register for a maximum of two papers or eight credits in a semester, whichever is reached earlier, and must pay a fee of Rs 6,000 per paper once the application is verified. Working professionals are required to upload a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer, while candidates already enrolled in a regular DU programme are not eligible to apply. Applicants are directed to consult the DU Syllabi portal to identify the programme, semester, course name, course code, and credits before submitting their form for departmental scrutiny.

Once a form is verified, candidates must pay the course fee through DU’s Miscellaneous Fee payment system and submit a copy of the receipt to the concerned office to confirm admission. Seats allotted under CES are treated as supernumerary and do not affect the intake of regular students, with selection dependent on availability in the relevant department or college.

CES was rolled out in DU’s centenary year in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with the Institute of Lifelong Learning (ILLL) serving as the nodal agency for the scheme. The ILLL describes its mandate as supporting learners for whom education is “neither age-bound nor classroom-bound.”

 

Image Credits: thecsrjournal.in

Read Also: Delhi HC issues notice on PIL seeking 50% Women’s Reservation in DUSU Polls

Vidhi Ramchandani

[email protected]

 

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University of Delhi (DU) Releases Key Details of DUSU Elections 2026–27

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University of Delhi’s administrative building, lawns and gardens.

DU releases official updates for DUSU Elections 2026–27, outlining candidate checklists, strict campaign do’s and don’ts, anti-defacement rules, and GRC guidelines. 

On September 3rd, the University of Delhi (DU) released important updates regarding the rules and regulations for DUSU Elections 2026-27. The list contains the “Do’s and Don’ts ” for candidates contesting elections, the Candidate’s Checklist that is to be submitted, and notices regarding early preparation for DUSU Elections for colleges and departments, as well as students.  Notifications for forwarding GRC complaints and Prevention of Defacement have also been released recently. 

Document issued by the University of Delhi with the “Do’s and Don’ts” for the DUSU Elections 2026–27.
Delhi University’s “Do’s and Don’ts” guidelines for the DUSU Elections 2026–27.

In strict adherence to the Lyngdoh Committee Recommendations, Supreme Court mandates, and Delhi High Court directions, the “Do’s and Don’ts” guidelines aim to ensure a fair, transparent, and eco-friendly election process. The notification outlines key eligibility parameters, strict spending caps, and clear boundaries on campaign activities. To maintain anti-defacement and an eco-friendly environment, the university has imposed a complete ban on printed posters, pamphlets, and leaflets. Only hand-made posters placed on officially designated “Walls of Democracy” or authorised locations are permitted. Candidates are strictly prohibited from defacing public or university property, especially DMRC and MCD properties. Violation of this would lead to candidates being held jointly and severally liable. 

A document with the Candidate Checklist issued by the University of Delhi for DUSU Elections 2026–27.
Delhi University’s Candidate Checklist for the DUSU Elections 2026–27.

The Candidate’s Checklist serves as a mandatory compliance document and verification proforma issued by Delhi University for all student candidates who intend to contest the DUSU Elections for the 2026–27 academic session.

Candidates are advised to compile this checklist along with their nomination papers and submit them within the mentioned timeline to ensure full procedural compliance. 

The University has also issued a notification instructing all constituent colleges, departments, and institutes to initiate early preparations for the upcoming election season. The official directive calls upon Principals, Directors, Deans, and Department Heads to strictly enforce anti-defacement mandates and court guidelines following instances of property damage and illegal poster pasting in past election cycles. 

In the notification regarding the GRC Complaint, the Chief Election Officer mentioned clearly that all complaints or grievances related to the DUSU Elections 2026-27 of candidates/students/public must be addressed directly to the Chairperson, Grievance Redressal Cell, DUSU Elections 2026-27. 

For the upcoming election season, all candidates are required to cooperate with election officers, observers, and the Grievance Cell to maintain order and academic integrity throughout the election timetable.  

Read Also: Delhi HC issues notice on PIL seeking 50% Women’s Reservation in DUSU Polls 

Image Credits: University of Delhi

Chandrani
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Delhi HC issues notice on PIL seeking 50% Women’s Reservation in DUSU Polls 

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Delhi High Court issues notice on a PIL seeking 50% women’s reservation in DUSU polls, while questioning its legal basis and claims linking representation to election violence.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday, 2 September, issued notice to the Central government, the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the University of Delhi (DU) on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking 50 per cent reservation for women in the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) and college students’ union elections.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia asked the respondents to file their responses. The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 27, after the upcoming DUSU elections scheduled for September 18.

The PIL, filed by advocate and former DU student Shabana Hussain through advocate Ashu Bidhuri, argues that women constitute approximately 53 per cent of DU’s student population but remain significantly underrepresented in elected student bodies. Between 2013 and 2024, only eight of the 32 elected DUSU representatives were women, while no woman has held the post of DUSU President since 2009. Since the beginning of DUSU elections in 1954, only 10 of 68 presidents have been women.

The petition alleges this disparity partly to the electoral environment surrounding campus politics, citing alleged money and muscle power, violence, intimidation, sexist remarks, cyberbullying and social media trolling as factors that can discourage women from contesting elections.

It further argues that inadequate representation can affect the attention given to issues particularly affecting women students, including sexual harassment, campus safety, hostel facilities, curfew timings and sanitary infrastructure.

During the hearing, however, the Bench questioned the legal basis for granting such reservation. The Court asked the petitioner to identify the statute or provision from which a right to reservation in DUSU elections could be derived. “We are here to protect your rights. We can’t create a right,” the Bench observed.

The Court also questioned the petitioner’s argument that greater representation of women would reduce violence during elections. When the counsel argued that female students “follow the law”, the Bench responded by asking whether the argument implied that women were “less violent”.

The petition also refers to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which provides for one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies and recommendations of DU’s DUSU Election Reforms Committee for rotational reservation of an office-bearer post.

ABVP’s Deepika Jha celebrates her victory as DUSU Joint Secretary in 2025.

Read Also: IIT Delhi Protests Enter Day Seven Over Student’s Death; Admin Warns of Action

Image Credits: The New Indian Express



Bishakha Gogoi

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PM Modi to Visit SRCC on Teachers’ Day for Centenary Celebrations; Students Interaction Planned

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Shri Ram College of Commerce on 5th September, for the college’s centenary celebrations and a direct interaction with the students. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Shri Ram College of Commerce on 5th September, for the college’s centenary and Teacher’s Day celebrations. A direct interaction with students is planned, giving them an opportunity to share their views, aspirations, and concerns with the Prime Minister.

SRCC was founded in 1926 by Sir Shri Ram as the Commercial College, starting with 12 students and four teachers in a modest Daryaganj bungalow. The institution moved to its current 16.5-acre Maurice Nagar campus in 1954 and currently houses around 3,000 students across commerce, economics, and management programmes. It holds a NAAC A++ accreditation.

Modi’s connection to the centenary celebrations predates the 5 September visit. On 25th April, members of SRCC’s Governing Body met the Prime Minister, during which he described the centenary as a significant achievement. He said SRCC had played an important role in India’s higher education system and contributed to developing capable and effective leaders across various fields. A commemorative postage stamp was also released on the occasion, with SRCC’s official account noting that it was honoured to have the stamp released by the Prime Minister.

The visit will bring considerable security and logistical disruptions around Maurice Nagar on Friday. SRCC’s campus neighbours several other DU colleges, meaning the security perimeter is likely to affect movement across a wider stretch of North Campus than just the college itself.

The proposed visit is being read as part of the BJP’s broader effort to connect with Gen Z voters. In August, BJP president Nitin Nabin chaired a meeting on a dedicated Gen Z outreach plan, with around 45 leaders from key states brought into discussions on youth strategy. The party is planning a Vadnagar-Varanasi motorcycle yatra on 17th  September as part of the same effort. The outreach comes after youth protests over the NEET paper leak, which eventually led to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, and the Cockroach Janta Party movement drew thousands of students onto the streets.

Read Also: IIT Delhi protests enter day seven

Abhishek Goverdhan

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Image source: Wikimedia commons



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IIT Delhi Protests Enter Day Seven Over Student’s Death; Admin Warns of Action

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IIT Delhi main campus.

Protests at IIT Delhi have continued since 24 August following the death of 31-year-old MSc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar, with students demanding an independent inquiry, resignations of senior officials, and ₹1 crore compensation for his family.

Rishikesh Kumar, a second-year MSc Physics student from Patna, died on 22 August after jumping from the sixth floor of IIT Delhi’s Lecture Hall Complex. He was 31. Earlier this year, fellow students had raised concerns about his well-being, following which he was referred to the institute hospital. No suicide note was recovered. Delhi Police registered an FIR under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The police are examining his mobile phone and counselling records as part of the investigation.

Kumar’s family has alleged institutional negligence, claiming that the institute failed to respond adequately to repeated warnings about his mental health. His mother said he had spoken about intense emotional distress and suicidal thoughts a day before his death. His brother also alleged that the family had informed the institute about his suicidal tendencies. The family further claimed that Kumar had been denied a research project and hostel accommodation.

Protests began on 24 August and have continued daily, with students organising their demands under three heads: investigation, resignation, and compensation. They are seeking an independent inquiry, the resignation of the Dean and Associate Deans of Student Affairs, the Associate Dean of Hostel Management, and the Head of the Physics Department. They have also demanded ₹1 crore compensation for Kumar’s family and an independent mental health cell on campus.

The administration initially constituted a five-member external inquiry panel, but its proposed chairperson later recused himself. The panel was subsequently reconstituted with retired Delhi High Court judge Mukta Gupta as its head. Separately, IIT Delhi has appointed new deans and a new Head of the Physics Department, effective 1 September. Students, however, have said these appointments do not address their demand for accountability.

On 28 August, IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee warned students of disciplinary action over what he described as “unsavoury, humiliating and threatening slogans” during a late-night demonstration near faculty housing. Students have rejected the characterisation, maintaining that the protest remained peaceful and that the slogans were aimed at faculty members to urge them to come out and support the protesters. 

Abhishek Goverdhan
[email protected]

Image source: iitd.ac.in 

Read Also: IIT Delhi records 8th student death in 30 months

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Sex Amma

Sex Amma on the Desire to be Desired

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Providing guidance to the students of DU since 2008 on matters of sex, dating and intimacy, Amma is back again this week with her dose of advice.

Providing guidance to the students of DU since 2008 on matters of sex, dating and intimacy, Amma is back again this week with her dose of advice.

Question: Amma, I often feel less pretty and feminine than the girls around me. Coming to DU has made me especially conscious of my appearance, clothes, and body. I don’t even want to wear makeup, but I feel like I should. I want to be liked by boys, but I feel shallow when I get that feeling, and then I worry that no one will ever like me. How do I get rid of these thoughts?

My dearest Kanna,

First of all, wanting to be noticed does not make you shallow. Who among us has not wanted someone to look at us and think, “Arey wah, she is lovely!” ? There is nothing shameful about wanting affection, attention, or romance; it is only troubling when we start equating affection with proof of us being worthy of love!

And child, repeat after me: EVERYONE. IS. DIFFERENT. Everyone! There are just so many things about you that the other person will simply not have—the way you laugh, the way you talk, the way you tell stories, the things you know, your strange little habits, your sense of humour, the list goes on and on and on. Why are you trying to win a competition where every contestant is supposed to look exactly the same? Do you realise what a boring competition that would be!

The thing is, you have been handed a very strange bargain: be pretty enough, “feminine” enough, thin enough, stylish enough, effortless enough, and perhaps somebody will choose you. And when nobody does, you are expected to look in the mirror and conclude that you have failed. Hmph! Very convenient arrangement for everyone except women. You say the girls around you are “effortlessly pretty”. Effortlessly? Kanna, please. There is an entire industry making billions from convincing women that their faces, bodies, clothes, and hair are never quite right. Makeup, clothes, diets, skincare, haircare, procedures; all that, and we are still expected to look as though we woke up “effortlessly pretty”.

But kanna, you do not have to become better at “being a woman” in order to deserve feeling like one. You don’t know how to do makeup? Fine. You don’t want to do makeup? Still fine! If you would rather leave the house with your face exactly as it is, go right ahead, child. Spend the leftover energy cultivating your own persona instead: read things that interest you, make friends who make you laugh until your stomach hurts, learn something difficult, try things and fail at them, become the sort of person you would want to spend time with. There is only so much a person can find attractive about a face before they need someone interesting to talk to. Tell me, would you be okay being friends with someone who looks pretty, but is rude to puppies? Because I certainly wouldn’t! 

I know, I know what you’re saying—“Amma, very easy for you to say, you’re one sexy lady!” And you are right, kanna, these thoughts do not disappear because Amma has given you one nice, Sandeep Maheshwari-inspired paragraph. So, in the meantime, prioritise your friendships, surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you, give yourself things to look forward to, prioritise growth!

As for the boys? Let them come when they come. Their attention can be lovely, but, kanna, it is a terrible measuring tape. You are allowed to want to be desired without making desirability the proof of feeling worthy. Ask yourself instead: why must I look conventionally attractive at all times to feel worthy of taking up space? Why must I be desirable to feel feminine? Why must a man’s attention tell me anything about myself? And perhaps try to notice when your mind starts turning other women into a measuring stick for yourself—you can think someone is beautiful without making their beauty evidence against your own! You can admire the girl in the perfect outfit and then go back to enjoying your chai. Life is too short, and frankly, Delhi weather is too unpleasant, to spend all of it conducting a beauty pageant in your own head, hahaha.

Now go eat something sweet, and call your friends. Amma has spoken enough.

With all my love,
Sex Amma

Write to Sex Amma at  [email protected] 

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