Visioning India’s Future: A Conversation with Prof. Prabhat Ranjan on Innovation, Education, and Nation Building

In a disruption-and-innovation-driven world, there are very few at the intersection of science, technology, education, and national development. Prof. Prabhat Ranjan is one of them. A nuclear fusion scientist, space tech innovator, teacher, and policy maker, he has quietly and significantly influenced some of the most ambitious scientific achievements of India over the last four decades.

With an education at Netarhat School, IIT Kharagpur, and the University of California, Berkeley—where he conducted research on nuclear fusion at the renowned Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory—Prof. Ranjan defied convention to come back to India at the height of his international academic career. It was a lifelong commitment to building the nation: from spearheading the ADITYA fusion reactor project and serving as an advisor to ISRO's Chandrayaan mission, to guiding TIFAC, India's leading technology think tank under the Department of Science and Technology.

As founding Vice Chancellor of D Y Patil International University, Pune, he is still guiding the next generation of change-leaders, while advocating technology for healthcare, agriculture, accessibility, and beyond. The recipient of awards including Bihar Gaurav Samman, Maharashtra Ratna Gaurav Puraskar, and listed among the Top 100 Great IITians, Prof. Ranjan's tale is not merely one of science—it's one of service, vision, and unwavering dedication to India's future.

In this interview with Education Post’s Prafull Pandey, he explores the inspiring story, learning, and vision of a person who is convinced that India's journey towards a $5 trillion economy is laid out through science and inclusive innovation.

Q: Prof. Ranjan, you've been involved in modeling space systems with ISRO. What were some critical gaps you identified?

During my time with ISRO, one recurring concern was the imbalance between system developers and data analysts. Often, the same team responsible for building complex space systems was expected to handle the data modeling too — which proved inefficient. We proposed creating two distinct teams: one for system development and the other dedicated to analyzing the data. Universities can play a critical role here by partnering with ISRO to analyze non-critical mission data and derive meaningful insights.

Q: You served as the founding Vice-Chancellor of D Y Patil International University. What inspired you to take that leap?

While preparing India’s Technology Vision 2035, I placed education at the top of all roadmaps. It has a generational impact and is foundational to national success. When the D Y Patil Group started a new university in 2018, I saw a unique opportunity: to shape it from scratch, free from bureaucratic constraints. Unlike my previous experience at DA-IICT (funded by Reliance), this venture had limited resources but abundant freedom — and that allowed us to innovate boldly.

Q: What were some of the landmark innovations implemented at your university?

We pioneered a flexible track-based computer science curriculum in 2019 — adopted by AICTE and used to develop seven new national programs. Our work in digital fabrication and 3D printing led to the creation of 107 AICTE IDEA Labs, with 327 more underway. Our biomedical engineering program removed the conventional requirement for mathematics, opening doors for non-traditional learners. We were among the first to launch an MBA in Digital Business and are proud to offer India’s first B.Tech in Semiconductor Engineering — a field now booming nationally.

Q: Across your roles — academic, scientist, policymaker, and administrator — which one do you cherish the most?

I see myself primarily as a researcher. Even while leading universities, I continued my scientific work. My current focus is nuclear fusion, an area I believe will shape humanity’s energy future. I’m also involved with the Chandrayaan mission, AI applications, and chronic health innovations. After an initial private nuclear fusion venture faced funding issues post-Ukraine war, I’m now building a new initiative with Indian partners — with promising traction.

Q: How do you prepare students for industries that don’t even exist yet?

We introduced a progressive internship model:

1st year: Rural Internship – engaging with ground-level realities.

2nd year: Design Project – applying observations to tangible solutions.

3rd & 4th years: Industry and Research Internships.

Additionally, our track-based system allows students to customize their learning in emerging domains like AI, semiconductors, or biotech — with tracks being dynamically added, removed, or updated to stay aligned with global trends.

Q: Your work in assistive technology is widely respected. Could you share a story that moved you?

One story that always stays with me is of Neha Gharal, a young girl with severe cerebral palsy. She couldn’t walk, speak, or use her hands effectively. I developed a gesture-based remote using simple hand movement — suddenly, she could control her TV and fan independently. The first thing she did? She asked everyone to leave the room. That newfound independence transformed her life.

Another was Kesu, an IIM-Ahmedabad alumnus who suffered a brain-stem stroke. Using a brain-computer interface we developed, he regained his voice through blogs. His wife wrote to me, “You gave him a second life.”

Q: How do you balance cutting-edge innovation with inclusive design?

My process is deeply personal. I do most of my research on my bed, often at midnight, when the world is quiet. That’s where I prototyped my first brain-computer interface. I’m now heading the Bureau of Indian Standards Committee for these technologies. Our focus is now expanding to include children with learning difficulties and educational neuro-assistive tools.

Q: You often speak of India becoming a $5 trillion economy. What are the 3 biggest levers to get there?

The three pillars I see are:

1. Infrastructure
2. Manufacturing
3. Semiconductors

India has already become the 4th largest economy in terms of GDP and 3rd largest by Purchasing Power Parity. At the IAEA nuclear fusion meet in 2023, I predicted that India will become the world’s largest economy by 2047. We’re on the right track — geopolitically, economically, and scientifically.

Q: As someone listed among 100 Great IITians, how do you see the role of elite institutions in nation-building?

I believe in a level playing field. Less than 1% of students go to IITs — should the rest be excluded from nation-building? Absolutely not. IITs have a responsibility to solve real-world problems, but innovation can come from anywhere. We need collaborative models where government, private institutions, and individuals work together — regardless of brand name.

Q: What advice would you give to future tech leaders and policy makers?

First, learn to foresee the future using structured foresight methods. And second, keep your “head above the clouds, but feet firmly on the ground.” Vision must be grounded in real-world needs. Without both, no leadership can succeed.

Rapid Fire with Prof. Ranjan

One book that changed your life?

Vedic Mathematics — It sparked my love for numbers at a young age.

Most underrated Indian innovation?

Brain-Computer Interface systems — especially those we developed at a fraction of global costs but with limited commercial support.

Proudest moment as a teacher?

Whenever a student surpasses me — especially those who chose the social sector inspired by our work.

One field more scientists should focus on?

Nuclear Fusion — the future of clean, limitless energy.

AI: Threat, Tool, or Opportunity?

Definitely an Opportunity. I even started making music videos with AI — and people now say I have a good voice!

Closing Thoughts

Prof. Prabhat Ranjan is not just a scientist or educator — he is a futurist, a visionary, and a deeply human innovator. His work, from rural India to nuclear labs, from assistive tech to semiconductor engineering, is shaping India’s future — one idea at a time.