ICTS Bengaluru's Professor Deepak Dhar Bags Prestigious Dirac Medal for 2026

Professor Deepak Dhar of the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS), Bengaluru, has been named a recipient of the prestigious Dirac Medal for 2026. This significant international honour recognises his outstanding contributions to theoretical physics and brings immense pride to the Indian scientific community.

The Dirac Medal, awarded annually by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy, is one of the highest accolades in the field of theoretical physics. Established in 1985, the medal commemorates Nobel laureate P.A.M. Dirac and is bestowed upon scientists who have made significant and original contributions to the discipline.

Professor Dhar is renowned globally for his pioneering research in statistical physics, particularly his seminal work on exact solutions of lattice models, self-organised criticality, and the dynamics of disordered systems. His investigations have profoundly advanced the understanding of complex systems and their behaviour, influencing various sub-fields within theoretical physics.

A distinguished academic, Professor Dhar has had a long and impactful career. Before joining ICTS, which is a unit of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), he served at other eminent institutions, contributing significantly to research and education. This latest recognition not only highlights his individual brilliance but also underscores the growing global recognition of the high-calibre scientific research being conducted in India.

The award ceremony typically takes place at the ICTP in Italy, where Professor Dhar will be felicitated alongside other distinguished laureates, further shining a light on the intellectual prowess emanating from Indian academic centres.