Juzer Vasi, Professor Emeritus at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, has been awarded the Padma Shri in the field of Science and Engineering for his contributions to microelectronics and photovoltaic research. The award was announced on 25 January by the Ministry of Home Affairs as part of the Padma Awards list released ahead of India’s 77th Republic Day.
The Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, recognises Vasi’s role in building academic and research capacity in semiconductor and renewable energy technologies over a career spanning more than four decades. His work has been primarily associated with teaching, institutional development, and applied research at IIT Bombay.
The award was conferred in recognition of Vasi’s sustained contributions to science and engineering, particularly in strengthening India’s research ecosystem in nanoelectronics and solar energy. The 2026 Padma Awards list includes 131 awardees across disciplines such as art, public affairs, science, medicine, social work, and trade and industry.
Vasi is closely associated with the Indian Nanoelectronics Users Programme (INUP), a national initiative aimed at providing researchers from universities, research institutions, and start-ups access to advanced semiconductor fabrication and characterisation facilities. The programme enabled shared use of cleanroom infrastructure and specialised equipment, supporting experimental research in microelectronics and nano-scale devices across multiple institutions.
In the area of renewable energy, Vasi played a key role in the establishment and development of the National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) at IIT Bombay. The centre focuses on research and training in solar photovoltaic technologies, including materials, devices, and system-level performance. Research conducted under the centre addressed reliability and degradation mechanisms in solar cells operating under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions.
The Padma awards are among the highest civilian honours in India and are conferred annually in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. The awards are presented by the President of India at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, typically during March or April.
Vasi holds a doctoral degree from The Johns Hopkins University and has served in several academic and advisory capacities during his career. He has previously been elected as a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Indian National Academy of Engineering.