With four consecutive years on the Stanford list, Prof Chandel urged India to invest more in renewable innovation.
Shoolini University’s Prof Shyam Singh Chandel joined an elite group of scientists honoured at India’s first Research Enclave for the World’s Top 2% Scientists, as ranked by Stanford University and Elsevier. Director of the Centre of Excellence in Energy Science and Technology (CEEST) at Shoolini, Prof Chandel has been recognised globally for his work in energy and sustainability.
Hosted at JECRC University, Jaipur, the landmark event brought together 25 of India’s most acclaimed researchers whose lifelong contributions have earned them global recognition. Prof Chandel, who has consistently ranked among the top 2% of scientists worldwide in the Energy and Sustainability domain for four consecutive years (2020–2024), was felicitated by JECRC Vice Chairman Arpit Agrawal and Vice Chancellor Prof Victor Gambhir.
Addressing the gathering, Prof Chandel called for a sharper national focus on clean energy solutions—solar, wind, hydrogen, and hydropower—to reduce emissions and advance India’s sustainability agenda. He urged the government to strengthen the country’s 32 existing energy centres and proposed the establishment of Centres of Energy Science and Technology Research in every university and institution.
Scientists at the conclave exchanged insights from their research journeys and explored ways to boost collaborative innovation. The event concluded with a key resolution: to develop a White Paper and Action Plan capturing recommendations to scale up research, build stronger institutional networks, and motivate young scientists.
With over 45 years of experience in energy innovation, Prof Chandel remains a prominent figure in India’s renewable energy ecosystem. He is the founding Head of the Centre for Energy and Environmental Engineering at NIT Hamirpur and former Dean of Engineering and Technology at Shoolini University. He has also held leadership roles with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Ministry of Education (MHRD), and the National Institute of Solar Energy.
Prof Chandel has authored over 120 research papers, holds six patents, and continues to be a driving force in advancing India’s clean energy landscape.