Anand Mahindra Praises IISc Scientists Working on High-Speed Flight
IISc scientists Duvvuri Subrahmanyam and Pratikash Panda are gaining attention for their research in high-speed flight, propulsion and aerospace technology.
Two IISc Bengaluru scientists working on high-speed flight, fluid dynamics, combustion and propulsion have drawn attention from industrialist Anand Mahindra. Associate Professor Duvvuri Subrahmanyam and Assistant Professor Pratikash Panda were praised by Mahindra for their advanced research in aerospace science and their contribution to India’s growing technological ambitions.
Subrahmanyam leads the Turbulent Shear Flow Physics and Engineering Laboratory at IISc and researches aerodynamic and fluid-dynamic phenomena across subsonic, supersonic and hypersonic regimes. After studying at IIT Madras and completing advanced research at Caltech and Princeton, he returned to India and joined IISc in 2018.
Panda, who is also part of IISc’s Department of Aerospace Engineering, works across fluid mechanics, combustion, laser diagnostics, rocket and air-breathing propulsion, cryogenic combustion and micro-thrusters. He studied at NIT Rourkela and Purdue University before research roles in the US and joining IISc in 2018.
Both scientists also contributed to Project PRAANA during the Covid-19 pandemic, helping develop an indigenous ICU-grade ventilator.
Their careers highlight the growing role of Indian research institutions in advanced aerospace technology. Their return to India comes as the country’s private space sector expands alongside established scientific programmes. With start-ups developing launch vehicles and researchers advancing propulsion and high-speed flight technologies, India’s aerospace capabilities are increasingly being built through both industry and academia.
Mahindra’s recognition has brought wider attention to the scientists and the research being conducted within IISc’s aerospace laboratories.
