Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research ( TIFR ) is one of the most important research institutes in India. It was founded in June 1945 by Homi Jehangir Bhabha and Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, and is since 2003 an independent institute of the University of Mumbai. It has the status of a deemed university.

In this institute fundamental research is carried out in the areas of chemistry, mathematics, computer science, health sciences, biology, physics and didactics.

Research at TIFR is divided into three faculties:

• Department of Mathematics (The School of Mathematics ),
• Faculty of Science (The School of Natural Sciences) and
• Faculty of Technology and computer science ( The School of Technology and Computer Science).

The TIFR also maintains other institutions outside of their normal campus in the district of Colaba in Mumbai. These include the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education ( Teaching Center ) in Deonar (Mumbai ), National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (National Centre for Radio Astronomy ) in Pune with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (National Centre of Biology ) in Bangalore.

Important, fundamental research areas of the Institute include algebra, algebraic geometry, Lie groups, representation theory and quantum groups, number theory, combinatorics, differential geometry, topology, mathematical physics, astronomy and astrophysics, molecular, nuclear and atomic physics, and theoretical physics.

The TIFR has a large library with over 100,000 books and periodicals, as well as a large data center, which is connected via high-speed networks with the rest of the world. The Institute is one of the few in India who have the ability to provide liquid helium for physical experiments with very low temperatures.