Ashutosh Sharma

Ashutosh Sharma is a chemical engineer whose research on materials at the smallest scales has been matched by a long role in shaping India’s science policy. In 2025 he was named for the Padma Shri in the field of science and engineering, from Uttar Pradesh ^[1].

A scientist at IIT Kanpur

Sharma was born on 22 August 1961. He studied at IIT Kanpur, then at Pennsylvania State University and the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he earned his PhD in 1988 ^[2]. He joined IIT Kanpur’s faculty in 1990, headed its chemical engineering department and set up its nanoscience and advanced imaging centres ^[2].

His research spans nanotechnology, materials for energy, health and the environment, and the science of how liquids wet and stick to surfaces. He has published more than 350 papers, filed over 15 patents and mentored a nanotechnology start-up ^[2].

Leading Indian science

From 2015 to 2021, Sharma was secretary of the government’s Department of Science and Technology. During that time it launched national missions on supercomputing, quantum technologies and cyber-physical systems, along with programmes for start-ups and women scientists ^[2]. He chaired the science track of India’s G20 presidency in 2023 and was elected president of the Indian National Science Academy for 2023–25 ^[2].

His honours include the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (2002), the inaugural Infosys Prize in engineering and computer science (2010), the TWAS Science Prize and the UNESCO Medal for nanotechnology (2017) ^[2].