With an amazing building and a charming Charisma, the IIAS has always attracted historians, Bollywood Filmmakers, tourists, archaeologists, and many others besides academicians.

The spectacular edifice showcased Rani Mukherjee’s (Michelle’s in the movie) college in Black. Many other scenes were shot of the blockbuster Black here. Black was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, which starred superstars like Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee.

Additionally, it is a perfect treat for the photographers and the phot-enthusiasts, who usually visit here to capture the most mesmerizing scenic beauties of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. With a historical edifice surrounded by an amazing garden in a pristine environment amidst a perfect serenity, calm, and peace, it presents unforgettable moments to the visitors making them visit here again and again.

They have updated their IIAS Shimla Courses with the latest trends and are inviting IIAS admissions for the current year (2020-21).

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When Was The India Institute Of Advanced Study (IIAS) Established?

The India Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) is a research institute set up by the Ministry of Education in 1964. It becomes completely operational from October 20th, 1965.

Where Is It Built?

It is built upon Observatory Hill, which is one of the seven hills that Shimla is built upon. 

Why It Was Built?

It was earlier called as Viceregal Lodge and was originally built as a home for Lord Dufferin, who was Viceroy of India from 1884-1888. Later, it became the residence of all the subsequent Viceroys and Governors-general of India.

Who Designed This Marvelous Masterpiece Of Architecture?

Henry Irwin, a Scottish architect of the Public Works Department, designed this building. 

Why Is It Considered One Of The Most Advanced Buildings Of The British Era?

IIAS is considered as an advanced piece of engineering owing to its various modern features installed way back in those days: 

It was equipped with a sophisticated firefighting mechanism that utilizes wax-tipped water ducts to function. This was the first building of Shimla that was electrified in those days in 1888. In those days the electricity for this building was run by steam engines which were exclusively brought from Britain for electricity generation.

A rainwater harvesting system was also built in the building in those days with a huge water tank built under the front lawn way back in 18th century. All the rainwater of the building goes to the water tank, which later on seeped into the ground slowly and slowly. 

Recently in April 2010, the King of Nepal presented an eight metals bell, which was installed in the building for the visitors.

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When Was It Renamed?

This building was renamed as Rashtrapati Niwas after India gained independence and was used by the President of India, as a summer retreat. Later, Dr S. Radhakrishnan got it turned into a centre of higher learning, and so the summer retreat of the president shifted to another building known as ‘The Retreat’, situated in Chharabra on the outskirts of Shimla. 

What Is The Essence Of This Building?

The IIAS has witnessed many historic decisions from Indian independence movement to Shimla Conference held in 1945 to the formation of Pakistan and East Pakistan in 1947.

Who Administers The IIAS?

A Society and a Governing Body comprising of members from varied backgrounds administer this building. For financial, matters a Statutory Finance Committee advises the Governing body, and its director has a team of a secretary, a deputy secretary, a public relations officer and other supervisory and administrative clerical staff, who assists him in daily affairs.

What Are The Various Academics Areas The Institute Focuses On?

The fellows of the institute focus on many Academics areas of Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural and Life Sciences, on the following subjects.

1. Humanities

a) Arts and Aesthetics

b) Comparative Study of Literature

c) Study of Religion and Philosophy

2. Social Sciences

a) Development Studies

b) Comparative Study of Political Institutions

c) Socio-economic and Socio-Cultural Formation in Historical Perspective.

3. Natural and Life Sciences

a) State Policies on Science and Technology

b) Science, Technology and Development

c) Methodologies and Techniques

What Are The Various Fellowship Programs Run By The Institute?

The Institute runs two fellowship programs

1. National Fellows 

2. Fellows.

The National Fellows are for a maximum of two years while the Fellows duration ranges from a minimum six months to maximum two years depending upon the nature of the work and its progress. The Fellowship is initially awarded for a year and later on extended as per the requirement.

The Fellows research their themes, but they are to be approved by the Institute. There are various modes of formal and informal discussions, interactions and dialogues to encourage a lively exchange of ideas and knowledge.

April to November are scheduled for the weekly seminar, which are the primary forum for formal interactions wherein fellows are required to stay in the Institute. 

December to March are scheduled for fieldwork, library and archival consultations outside Shimla. 

On completion of the term, the Fellows submit their completed research in the form of a monograph of the Institute. The monographs are later published by the Institute, which retains the first right of the publication.

On completion of the term, the Fellows submit their completed research in the form of a monograph of the Institute. The monographs are later published by the Institute, which retains the first right of the publication.

What About The International Centre For Human Development (IC4HD)?

The International Centre for Human Development was set up in IIAS in August 2013. It was to ensure improvements in the developments of poor and marginalized people while supporting the efforts of the government of the South.

How Many Publications Has The Institute Done As On Date?

As on date, the institute has more than 450 publications to its credit, which includes monographs, proceedings of various seminars and other symposia, lectures, and other occasional papers presented in the institute. 

They also publish other review journals as well as interviews besides other academic activities of the institute.

A biannual journal of studies in Humanities and Social Sciences is also published here.

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Is There Any Library In IIAS?

The ILAS library was established in 1965 and is meant for facilitating, promoting and supporting the Fellows in their research work. It is one of the most prominent and leading libraries to house detailed knowledge of Humanities and Social Sciences in the country. The collection covers the comprehensive updated information as on date in Humanities and Social Sciences.

What Is Tagore Centre There?

The Tagore Centre for the Study of Culture and Civilization was awarded by the HRD Ministry of Government of India to IIAS on the 150th Birth Anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.

It caters to following activities -

1. To conduct an annual Tagore Lecture.

2. To conduct an artist camp in every alternate year.

3. A study week on every alternate year for Tagore’s work.

4. To have four Tagore Fellows at the Centre every year for a duration from six months to two years.

5. To conduct an annual International Seminar on some of Tagore’s concerns.

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