The esteemed scientific publication, Nature, has recognized Kolkata as the top city in India for scientific achievements, ranking it among the world’s 200 most scientific cities this year.
The ranking is determined by the number of authors and institutions in the city, along with their substantial contributions to high-quality research papers published globally in prominent scientific journals in the past year.
Kolkata Metropolitan Area secured the 84th position this year, surpassing Bengaluru (85) and Mumbai Metropolitan Area (98), while Delhi stood at 124. On a global scale, Beijing emerged as the leader, followed by Shanghai and New York.
This distinction in the Nature Index, which reflects exceptional research output, has sparked celebrations within the scientific and academic communities in Kolkata, who believe this recognition will inspire more researchers in the region. Kolkata’s ranking this year is nearly 20 places ahead of last year, outranking renowned research cities such as Edinburgh, Helsinki, Geneva, and Frankfurt.
Historically, Kolkata has been a hub for scientific exploration. Dr. Mahendralal Sirkar founded the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in 1876. Nobel laureate C.V. Raman, known for discovering the Raman Effect, worked here for several decades. Pioneers like Satyendranath Bose and P.C. Mahalanobis also contributed significantly to global scientific progress.
This recognition reinforces Kolkata’s rich legacy in fostering groundbreaking scientific research.
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