Who is Suman Chakraborty: The IIT Kharagpur director behind India’s low-cost medical testing revolution

When Suman Chakraborty assumed office as Director of Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur in 2025, it marked the culmination of a distinguished academic journey built on excellence, innovation, and purpose. Yet, his story is not defined merely by administrative leadership. Long before taking charge of one of India’s premier institutions, Chakraborty had established himself as a scientist committed to using engineering to solve some of the country’s most pressing healthcare challenges.

Over the past two decades, he has quietly led a body of work that brings cutting-edge science out of elite laboratories and into villages, primary health centres, and low-resource settings—where affordability often determines access to life-saving diagnostics.

Academic excellence and early achievements

A native of West Bengal, Chakraborty’s academic trajectory reflects consistent distinction from the outset. He earned his B. Tech in mechanical Engineering from Jadavpur University in 1996, finishing second in his class. That solid grasp of core engineering concepts led to national attention when he placed first across India in the GATE exam the next year.

He went on to pursue higher studies at the Indian Institute of Science, one of India’s foremost research institutions. There, he completed both his M.E. and PhD, graduating as a gold medallist and receiving a Senate Commendation for academic excellence. His doctoral research was widely recognised, earning the Best Thesis Award at IISc and the Best International CFD Thesis Award in a global competition—an early indication of his depth in computational fluid dynamics and interdisciplinary research.

Chakraborty began his career at IIT Kharagpur as an Assistant Professor in the year 2002. Contrary to the trend followed by others who seek academic globalization, Dr. Chakraborty chose to stay at the same place, creating an ecosystem. In the year 2008, Dr. Chakraborty achieved the position of a full Professor. In addition, Dr. Chakraborty has published over 500 research papers in reputable journals, achieved over 25 patents, and guided over 50 research scholars, thereby contributing to the pool of Indian scientific manpower.

Transforming science into affordable healthcare

Chakraborty's impact on society, far more than his education, comes from applying science practically. His work in microfluidics, the study of fluids at microscopic scale, makes medical diagnostics accessible to low-resource settings.

Chakraborty set up one of the first globally benchmarked microfluidics labs at IIT Kharagpur. The research carried out in this lab is not merely theoretical but has applications in the field of healthcare.

One of his most notable innovations is paper-and-pencil microfluidics, a breakthrough approach that enables diagnostic tests to be performed on simple paper strips. By leveraging fundamental principles of fluid dynamics and capillary action, these tests eliminate the need for expensive equipment, electricity, or trained technicians.

This innovation has led to the development of a blood testing kit that costs less than ₹2 per test, significantly reducing the cost barrier for routine diagnostics. In a country where millions still struggle to access basic healthcare services, such affordability has far-reaching implications.

Moreover, Chakraborty and his team have developed a handheld device capable of detecting oral cancer instantly, enabling early diagnosis in areas where advanced screening facilities are unavailable. These technologies are specifically designed for scalability and accessibility, targeting populations that are often excluded from conventional healthcare systems.

Indigenous innovation during COVID-19

Chakraborty’s approach to research gained further visibility during the COVID-19 pandemic, when rapid, affordable testing became a global priority. He led the development of COVIRAP, an indigenous rapid molecular diagnostic test designed to deliver accurate results faster and at a lower cost compared to traditional RT-PCR methods.

The innovation underscored the importance of self-reliance in critical healthcare technologies and demonstrated how academic research institutions can respond effectively to national emergencies. COVIRAP not only contributed to India’s pandemic response but also reinforced the potential of frugal engineering in addressing large-scale public health challenges.

Awards, recognition, and research impact

For his contributions to engineering and applied science, Chakraborty has received several prestigious honours. He was honoured with the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in 2013, which is one of India’s highest honors in terms of scientific research. In 2022, he was also honored with the Infosys Prize, reinforcing his position as an innovator in his field.

It is also evident that he has left an impact in terms of the volume and importance of his work, including hundreds of publications and patents with the potential to revolutionize grassroots healthcare delivery.

Beyond titles: A science-led social vision

As Director of IIT Kharagpur, Chakraborty now plays a key role in shaping the future of one of India’s most prestigious institutions. However, his broader legacy lies in redefining how science can serve society.

In a world where scientific research is increasingly driven by high-end innovation and competition, Chakraborty’s work provides a paradigm shift, focusing on accessibility, inclusiveness, and practical impact. His innovations prove that it is possible for complex scientific concepts to be explained and implemented through simple, cost-effective tools that can, in turn, have a profound impact on people’s lives.

Chakraborty’s work and career have been driven by a philosophy that the ultimate purpose of science is not only for publication but for problem-solving and improving people’s lives. Through his work, Suman Chakraborty not only took the field of engineering forward, but he also brought the benefits of this advancement closer to those who need it the most.
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