The Aryavarth Express
Guwahati (Assam): Renowned climate scientist and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee Professor BN Goswami has been selected for the ANRF Prime Minister Professorship, one of India’s most prestigious academic honours aimed at boosting research excellence in state universities.
The announcement was made through an official communication from Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), on December 5. Gauhati University had formally nominated Prof. Goswami earlier this year.
The Professorship is awarded to a select group of distinguished scientists nationwide and is considered a significant recognition of long-term academic contributions and national research impact. With over 20,000 citations and an h-index of 60, Prof. Goswami is among India’s most influential researchers in climate and atmospheric sciences. His selection is also being seen as a major boost for the growing research stature of Gauhati University and the Northeast.
Gauhati University Vice Chancellor Professor Nani Gopal Mahanta said the honour marks an important moment for the institution.
“This selection adds a significant feather to our cap and showcases Gauhati University’s emergence as a major hub of research and development for Assam and the wider Northeast. Prof. Goswami’s expertise will greatly strengthen our academic foundations and elevate our research ambitions,” he said.
Mahanta added that the Professorship fits perfectly with the university’s long-term strategy to nurture high-quality research.
“The ANRF programme places accomplished scientists where they can guide and inspire the next generation. Prof. Goswami’s presence will help create a more rigorous, innovation-driven environment for our young scholars,” he noted.
The ANRF Prime Minister Professorship is a five-year programme offering:
₹30 lakh annual fellowship
₹24 lakh research grant
₹1 lakh institutional overhead
The scheme demands full-time engagement at the host university and is targeted at senior researchers aged 55 or above with outstanding scientific achievements.
Previous recipients have been associated with India’s top national laboratories, science academies, and advanced R&D institutions. The selection of a scholar from Assam underscores the increasing prominence of universities in the eastern and northeastern regions of the country.
According to the ANRF, procedural formalities for initiating the Professorship at Gauhati University will begin soon. The appointment is being hailed as a major milestone as the university continues to expand its role in research, innovation, and scientific leadership in the region.
