Two scientists from Himachal Pradesh have broken into one of the most closely watched global benchmarks in academic research — and a BJP MP is making sure the country notices. BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Saturday, 17 October 2026, congratulated Dr. Tarun Sharma of Himachal Pradesh University and Dr. Gian Chand Rana, Principal of Government Degree College, Dhaneta, for being recognised among the World's Top 2% Scientists in the 2026 Stanford–Elsevier ranking.

Silicon photonics to fluid dynamics — what the two scientists do

The ranking, compiled annually using Scopus citation data and metrics developed by Stanford University researchers, measures a scientist's cumulative impact on their field through research output and citation influence. It is widely regarded as one of the most objective global measures of individual scientific contribution.

Dr. Sharma's research spans silicon photonics, nanophotonics, and the emerging frontier of AI-driven photonics — areas with direct implications for next-generation computing and communications. Dr. Rana works in fluid dynamics and mechanical engineering, disciplines that underpin everything from aerospace design to industrial machinery.

A personal note from Nadaun, Hamirpur

Thakur, who represents the Hamirpur constituency in Himachal Pradesh, noted with particular pride that Dr. Rana hails from Nadaun — a sub-district within his own constituency. 'It is a matter of immense pride that Dr. Gian Chand Rana hails from my constituency, Nadaun, in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh,' he wrote. 'His achievement is an inspiration for aspiring researchers and students across the region.'

That detail matters beyond the personal. Nadaun is a small town, not a metropolitan research hub. A scientist from there earning a place among the world's top-cited researchers is precisely the kind of story that reframes what 'centres of excellence' can look like in India.

Non-metro India climbing global science rankings

Indian MPs increasingly spotlight local academic achievements on social media to draw attention to scientific output beyond the IITs and AIIMS campuses that dominate headlines. The broader pattern is real: state universities and smaller colleges in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities have registered a gradual but measurable rise in global citation-based rankings over the past decade, driven partly by increased access to international journals and collaborative research networks.

For Himachal Pradesh — a state whose research infrastructure is modest compared to larger states — having two scientists recognised on the same Stanford–Elsevier list in the same year is a signal worth watching. If the state government follows up with targeted research grants or faculty development programmes, this moment could mark an inflection point rather than an isolated achievement.

Two researchers from the hills of Himachal Pradesh have just placed their work on a global citation map — the question now is whether institutions and policymakers will build on that momentum.