Founders

Dr Raja Ramanna, the Founder Director, immensely contributed to the growth and development of this Institute. Over a period of time, NIAS initiated several research programmes and other activities that brought recognition and fame. 
NIAS is a registered society (on 20 June 1988) under the Karnataka Societies Registration Regulation Act. The Institute is an autonomous organisation governed by a council of management. It is located on the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru campus and was established in 1988 with Dr. Raja Ramanna as the Founder Director until his retirement in July 1997. 
 
Over the years, NIAS has moved towards fulfilling the dreams of its founder JRD Tata. As a multidisciplinary Institute, NIAS combines scientific and humanistic perspectives on national and international importance topics. 
Activities of NIAS include research, analysis, publications, and teaching. Following the ideas of its founder, NIAS has also been an educational centre for future leaders of India through its courses and educational programmes. 
NIAS has created a unique ambiance wherein researchers, scholars, speakers and visitors from a variety of disciplines interact in a meaningful manner. 
The PhD programme that was initiated in 2004 has added to the dynamism with exploratory interest in many interdisciplinary areas of research. 

The National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) was conceived and established by the vision and initiative of the late Mr. JRD Tata. He sought to create an institution which would conduct advanced research in multidisciplinary areas, and also serve as a forum that will bring together administrators and managers from industry and government, leaders in public affairs, eminent individuals in different walks of life, and the academic community in the natural & social sciences, and the arts & humanities.