The Chennai Mathematical Institute

C S Seshadri spent his career at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, India. After he retired in 1984 he went to the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai, then in 1989 he became the Founder-Director of what today is known as the Chennai Mathematical Institute. He remained as its director until 2011 when he became Director-Emeritus. We give below the Preface to the Annual Report 2004-2005 written by Seshadri in which he describes the history of the development of the Institute. We then give extracts from the Preface to later reports that were written by C S Seshadri as Director.

Chennai Mathematical Institute, by C S Seshadri.

1. 2004-05.

The School of Mathematics was created in 1989 as a Division of the Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation (SPIC) Science Foundation with the aim of building a centre of excellence in Mathematical Sciences. In August 1996, it became an independent institution called the SPIC Mathematical Institute (SMI), managed by a Trust of the same name, through a Governing Council. In order to place the Institute in a larger public domain, the name of the Institute was changed to Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI) in January 1999.

During the first phase, the goal had been to establish strong research programmes in Mathematics, Computer Science and related subjects.

Algebraic geometry, representation theory, differential geometry, commutative algebra and topology are the areas that are currently being pursued in Mathematics. In Computer Science, research is being pursued in the areas of formal specification and verification, the theory of timed and hybrid systems, the design and analysis of algorithms and computational complexity. Other areas of interest include control theory, partial differential equations and mechanics.

A major component of the Institute is its Ph.D. programme. CMI has evolved a joint Ph.D. programme with the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani. The Ph.D. programme at CMI is also recognised by the University of Madras.

In August 1998, a new dimension was added to the activities of CMI with the start of the National Undergraduate Programme in Mathematics and Computer Science (B.Sc. Hons.) where talented students, selected at the national level, are taught by experts who have contributed to these fields. We have the continued support of scientists from other institutions, especially the Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc.), Chennai, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Mumbai and Institute for Financial Management and Research, Chennai (IFMR). Substantial support for this initiative is being provided by the National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM), an autonomous body constituted and funded by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The programme is also supported by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

This programme has turned out to be highly successful. Four batches have already graduated and found placements in some of the best institutions in the world. From 2003, CMI has added a Physics component to this programme with Prof G Rajasekaran, a distinguished physicist, in charge. A number of distinguished physicists from all over the country, especially from the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai, are a part of the teaching faculty for this programme as well. After completing this programme, the degree of B.Sc. (Hons.) Physics will be awarded to the students.

In 2001, the teaching programme at CMI was extended to include separate 2-year M.Sc. courses in Mathematics and Computer Science. The present strength of the students in the B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. is seventy-six.

Since its inception, the Chennai Mathematical Institute has had an active group of researchers in the fields of pure mathematics and theoretical computer science. Over the years it has made very substantial contributions in these areas which is evidenced by the important research papers as well by the number and quality of doctoral students who are placed in various centres in India and abroad. The research activity is also enhanced and supported by seminars and lectures both by the faculty and the students of CMI as well as through a healthy inflow of visitors from other research centres in India and abroad. The seminars are the life-line of any research group and we have had a rich tradition in this which continues with greater force since the graduation of some very bright young students from the National Undergraduate Programme at CMI. We are very gratified to note that some of these young students have shown great potential and initiative and have the potential to create the next generation of researchers in India. Many of these students have now gone abroad to some of the prestigious centres the world over and it is our firm belief that many of these would eventually return as faculty members.

Members of the Faculty have strong academic ties with reputed research institutions in India and abroad. The Institute participates in a programme of the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Trieste, Italy called the "Associate Membership Scheme at Centres of Excellence in the South". CMI has also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Statistical Institute (with centres at Calcutta, Delhi and Bangalore) to undertake collaboration in research, teaching and extension activities in the subject of Mathematical Sciences.

The Institute has a memorandum of understanding with the École normale supérieure in Paris, France, one of the leading institutions in the world for teaching and research in Mathematics. This agreement provides for regular exchange visits by academic members of CMI and ENS, Paris including, in particular, exchanges of visits by undergraduate students between the two institutions. Since 2000-2001, there have been regular visits from both sides each year under this programme.

CMI has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR) in connection with IFMR's new one-year programme in Financial Mathematics. Faculty from CMI teach some courses in this programme and will also potentially participate in joint research.

The faculty at CMI participate in collaborative research projects with research groups from both academic and commercial organisations. CMI has had two sponsored research projects with Honeywell Technology Solutions Laboratory, Bangalore, during the period 2004-2005, both in the area of formal verification.

The Institute actively supports conferences and workshops and other activities that contribute to the growth of Mathematics and Computer Science in the country.

A major initiative that has begun during 2004-2005 is the construction of the new Institute campus at the SIPCOT Information Technology Park, Siruseri, on the southern outskirts of the city. The foundation stone for the campus was laid in August, 2004 and the first phase is expected to be completed during the academic year 2005-2006. The funds for the campus have come from private sources, with major contributions from Matrix Laboratories, Hyderabad and the Shriram Group Companies, Chennai.

2. 2005-2006.

The Institute actively supports conferences and workshops and other activities that contribute to the growth of Mathematics and Computer Science in the country. CMI co-sponsored the conference on "Commutative Algebra and Algebraic Geometry" held at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai, in August 2005.

Recently, CMI has received a large grant from the Board for Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This funding covers an ambitious visitors' programme as well as support to enhance computational infrastructure and library facilities at the Institute.

CMI's new campus on the southern outskirts of the city, at the SIPCOT Information Technology Park, Siruseri became operational in October, 2005. The funds for the campus have come from private sources, with major contributions from Matrix Laboratories, Hyderabad, the Shriram Group Companies, Chennai, the Willingdon Trust, Chennai and the Infosys Foundation, Bangalore.

All academic activities of the Institute have shifted to the new campus. The academic and administrative building has been completed. The library and hostel are expected to be completed in 2006. For the moment, students continue to stay in hostels in the city. A bus service has been organised to transport students to and from the new campus. There are also regular shuttle services between CMI and IMSc.

To commemorate the shift to the new campus, CMI organised an Inaugural Symposium during the first three weeks of January, 2006. A number of distinguished visiting scientists delivered lectures on Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics. During the Symposium, on 12 January, 2006, the campus was formally inaugurated by Dr Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission.

3. 2006-2007.

The year 2006-2007 witnessed an important step in the Institute's evolution as an academic institution. In December, 2006, CMI was granted the status of a University by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development (MHRD), Government of India under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. With this, the Institute has the authority to grant its own B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees and also the flexibility to propose new programmes.

Prior to being granted the status of a University, the Institute's Ph.D. programme was recognised by the University of Madras. CMI had also evolved a joint Ph.D. programme with the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani. For the B.Sc. and M.Sc. programmes, the degrees were awarded by the Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University (MPBOU) until 2006.

The teaching programmes at CMI have turned out to be highly successful. Six batches have already graduated in the B.Sc. programme in Mathematics and Computer Science and moved on to some of the best institutions in the world. The first B.Sc. Physics batch graduated in 2006 and these students have also joined leading academic institutions in India and abroad. Four batches of M.Sc. students have graduated and have been well placed in both academia and industry.

Members of the Faculty have strong academic ties with reputed research institutions in India and abroad. The Institute participates in a programme of the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Trieste, Italy called the "Associate Membership Scheme at Centres of Excellence in the South".

The Institute has a memorandum of understanding with the École normale supérieure in Paris, France, one of the leading institutions in the world for teaching and research in Mathematics. This agreement provides for regular exchange visits by academic members of CMI and ENS, Paris including, in particular, exchanges of visits by undergraduate students between the two institutions. Since 2000-2001, there have been regular visits from both sides each year under this programme.

CMI is also involved in a number of collaborative research projects, both with academic and industrial partners. The Institute is currently involved in a four year project on timed and distributed computing systems under the Indo-French Networking programme, jointly funded by the French Ministry of Science, CNRS and the Indian Department of Science and Technology. The project involves scientists from CMI, IMSc and IISc, Bangalore in India and the University of Paris 7, ENS de Cachan and the University of Bordeaux 1 in France.

CMI has a sponsored research project with Honeywell Technology Solutions Laboratory, Bangalore, in the field of avionics controls, initiated in 2004-2005. СМІ also has a sponsored research project with Siemens' Corporate Technology research centre, Bangalore, in the area of formal testing of reactive systems.

The Institute actively supports conferences and workshops and other activities that contribute to the growth of Mathematics and Computer Science in the country.

Faculty at CMI are also involved in training programmes both in academia and industry. Many CMI faculty play an active role in teacher-training workshops organised for college and university teachers. In addition, CMI faculty are actively involved in the Ignite programme of Tata Consultancy Services, a new initiative to impart training in computer science to fresh recruits with B.Sc. degrees in a diverse range of subjects.

CMI has a generous three-year grant from the Board for Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This funding covers an ambitious visitors' programme as well as support to enhance computational infrastructure and library facilities at the Institute.

CMI's new campus on the southern outskirts of the city, at the SIPCOT Information Technology Park, Siruseri became operational in October, 2005, with the commissioning of the academic and administrative building. The second phase, consisting of the library and students' hostel, was commissioned in early 2007. A formal function was held in February, 2007 to inaugurate the new facilities, as well as to commemorate CMI's recently acquired University status.

This year also saw the formal formation of the CMI Alumni Association. We hope that this will lead to increased participation by alumni in building up the activities and infrastructure of the Institute.

4. 2008-2009.

I take great pleasure in presenting the Annual Report of the Chennai Mathematical Institute for the period 2008-09.

CMI has always been and continues to be a centre of excellence for research in the Mathematical Sciences. In addition, it has a unique National Undergraduate Programme in Mathematics and Computer Science and in Physics. We admitted the 11th batch of students in our Undergraduate Programme in August 2008.

The number of applicants to our programmes has been steadily increasing over the years. The success of our undergraduate and graduate programmes is reflected by the very heartening response that our offers of admission have met with. As usual our alumni have all been very well placed in universities and research institutions in India and abroad.

CMI also runs successful Masters and Ph.D. Programmes in Mathematics and in Computer Science. The first doctoral degree after CMI became a Deemed University, was awarded in August 2008. Two more students have successfully defended their doctoral theses during 2008-09.

CMI has close academic cooperation with several institutions in India (special mention must be made of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai) and abroad. Our collaboration with the École normale supérieure of France continues with vigour with three top students from B.Sc. Mathematics and Computer Science going to Paris every summer for two months and four students of ENS coming each year to teach in the undergraduate programme. This year, for the first time, CMI has sent its top three Physics graduates to the École Polytechnique, France, for a summer internship, making the beginning of what we expect to be a long a fruitful collaboration. CMI has also signed an MoU with the Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI) for research collaboration. It also has similar MoUs with the Université de Paris-Sud at Orsay, France, and the ENS at Cachan, France. Recently, CMI has been included as a full partner in the European Project ALGANT in Algebra, Geometry and Number Theory involving several European and one Canadian University. We are proud to say that all these agreements were initiated by the other parties after observing the quality of CMI students.

Our faculty members continue to win laurels for their scientific achievements. Prof V Balaji won the J C Bose fellowship and Dr K Narayan was awarded the Ramanujan fellowship by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

We have had several academic programmes on campus. In keeping with its status as a University, CMI encourages activities not only in the sciences, but in humanities as well. Our adjunct Professor of Music, Prof Ramanathan, arranged several seminars on Music Appreciation. Our adjunct Professor of English, Shri Sreekumar Varma, arranged seminars on "Translating through literature" and "Outsourcing in Literature". In Computer Science, a workshop on "Perspectives in Concurrency Theory" was organised in December 2008 in honour of Prof P S Thiagarajan's 60th birthday. A number of eminent speakers, including Turing Award winners, spoke at the workshop. Later, in January 2009, Professors Madhavan Mukund and Narayan Kumar organised an international workshop on "Automata, Concurrency and Timed Systems" as part of the Indo-French Networking Project involving CMI, IMSC, IISC, ENS Cachan and University of Bordeaux. CMI hosted jointly with IMSc, Indo-French Conference in mathematics in December 2008. Prof V V Sreedhar and visiting Professor, Prof A Thyagaraja ran a very successful weekly seminar on Fluid Dynamics between January and March 2009.The speakers included eminent mathematicians and physicists from all over the globe. Prof V Balaji organised a workshop on "Principal Bundles in Geometry" during February-March 2009.

In addition to the generous support from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), CMI also receives support from private sources. I take this opportunity to thank the Shriram Group Companies, Bajaj Allianz and Agilent Technologies for their support.

In April 2008, Chennai Mathematical Institute entered into a three year academic alliance with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Under this alliance, CMI faculty participate in training programmes at TCS and employees at TCS can enrol for the MSc Computer Science programme at CMI. TCS provides an annual grant to CMI that is used to fund computer equipment, academic visits to conferences and other institutions by CMI faculty and external visitors to CMI for academic collaboration. Academic visitors to CMI under this programme also deliver special lectures as part of the CMI-TCS Distinguished Lecture Series.

I thank the DST and the Board for Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS) whose BRNS-DST grant has allowed us to have a vibrant visitors' programme. The Ministry for Human Resources Development (MHRD) has used its good offices to organise a grant from the Universities Grants Commission (UGC) for an additional building to house an auditorium and additional academic space as well as guest rooms to accommodate visitors and students.

CMI enjoys the goodwill of individual donors too. Dr Swaminathan made a generous endowment in the memory of his uncle Mr. K. Lakshmanan and Mrs. Usha Rubugunday made a similar endowment in memory of her husband. This has led to annual Lakshmanan and Rubugunday memorial lectures. The first in these series were given in January 2009 by Professors M S Narasimhan and R Sridharan respectively.

As you can see by the instances cited above, CMI, enjoys the support of public, academic and private institutions as well as students and private individuals. Thanks to this support, we have been able to establish CMI as a much desired destination to work in the mathematical sciences. I am sure that CMI will continue to grow as a centre of excellence.

5. 2009-2010.

During May-July 2009, Dr Shrihari Sridharan coordinated a summer programme for students and research scholars, selected from universities and colleges. Some of the participants were sponsored by the Indian Academy of Sciences. The programme included regular lectures, lectures on special topics as well as project work mentored by faculty members.

Nobel Laureate Prof Gerhard't Hooft visited CMI during November 2009. He gave five lectures, including a public lecture on "Mini Black Holes and Quantum Physics". The celebrated astrophysicist Prof Jayant Narlikar visited CMI during February 2010 and gave a series of talks on the "Interaction between Astronomy, Physics and Mathematics" as well a public lecture on "Searches for Micro-life in Earth's Atmosphere". Both these visits were made possible by funding from the TCS-CMI Academic Alliance.

Under the Advanced Training in Mathematics programme of the NBHM, an Annual Foundation School was coordinated by Dr Clare D'Cruz at CMI in December, 2009.

CMI conducted two short courses in the series "Tools of the Mathematical Trade".

The first was by Prof Ramanan on "Spectral Sequences" in November, 2009 and the second on "Introduction to Intersection Theory and Motives" by Joel Riou of the University of Paris-Sud, Orsay, France in February, 2010.

CMI also hosted two other short courses. Prof Michel Waldschmidt from the University of Paris 6, France delivered a course on "Modular Algebraic Independence" in December 2009 and January 2010. Prof Xavier Viennot from LaBRI, University of Bordeaux, France offered a course on "Algebraic Combinatorics" in January 2010.

Professors Madhavan Mukund and K Narayan Kumar organized the 2nd Workshop on Automata, Concurrency and Timed Systems (ACTS II), during February 2010 at CMI with funding from TCS-CMI Academic Alliance and Ile-de-France/India project of the ARCUS programme.

Starting January 2010, CMI has been organising a special semester on Analysis. Several mathematicians, mainly from Indian Statistical Institute, Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Indian institute of science, TIFR have visited CMI and given lectures to students on various topics in analysis. This activity is being coordinated by Dr Shrihari Sridharan.

Last Updated July 2026