A leading expert in the Theory of Lie groups, Prof. M.S. Raghunathan has won international recognition for his pioneering research in this area.

Formerly the Head of the National Centre for Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai and a professor of eminence at TIFR in Homi Bhabha Chair, he is one of the few Indian mathematicians to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London. He was awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar prize (1977) and The World Academy of Sciences prize (1990) for his contributions to mathematics. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards. Prof. Raghunathan has also played an important role in the promotion of mathematics through various scientific bodies, in both advisory and administrative capacities. He has organized several international mathematical meetings in India, among them, Ramanujan centenary celebrations in Chennai in 1987, International Mathematical Olympiad in Mumbai in 1996 and International Congress of Mathematicians in Hyderabad in 2010. Prof. Raghunathan served on the Abel Prize Committee during 2012-2014 and on the Fields Medal Committee in 2017-2018. He served on the Executive Committee of the International Mathematical Union during 1998-2006. His most important and comprehensive contribution in this sphere has been his role in the National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM). Prof. Raghunathan has been a member of the Board since its formation in 1983 and became its chairman in 1987. He went on to serve till 2010.