Now Reading: Deepak Dhar wins 2026 Dirac Medal for statistical mechanics
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Deepak Dhar wins 2026 Dirac Medal for statistical mechanics
The International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS) announced that its INSA distinguished professor Deepak Dhar has been awarded the 2026 Dirac Medal, sharing the honour with Bernard Derrida, Marc Mezard and Haim…
The Story in Brief
The International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS) announced that its INSA distinguished professor Deepak Dhar has been awarded the 2026 Dirac Medal, sharing the honour with Bernard Derrida, Marc Mezard and Haim Sompolinsky. The prize recognises their pioneering work in equilibrium and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, extending to AI, neuroscience and complex systems.
Prof. Dhar's research on the sandpile model, showing how small additions can trigger large collapses, has been applied to earthquakes, traffic jams and financial markets. The Dirac Medal is awarded annually by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in honour of physicist Paul Dirac.
The Indian Opinion
The Dirac Medal for Deepak Dhar is a proud moment for Indian science, but the credit belongs equally to the collaborative global effort in statistical mechanics. Some coverage may oversell it as a solo Indian triumph; in reality, the award is shared by four scientists. The real test is whether India can build on this momentum by funding more fundamental theoretical research, not just applied work. How many more such recognitions will come in the next decade?
Source: thehindu.com
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