Suryanarayana Doolla is a well-known Indian professor and researcher. He has been relieved of administrative responsibilities, such as the role of Dean, at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay). This decision was taken amidst an ongoing investigation into the unfortunate death of a second-year engineering student on the campus. Beyond recent media reports, Professor Doolla has long served as an academic and a leading figure in his field. He is deeply involved in research related to power electronics and energy systems. He has also served as a dedicated teacher, hostel warden, and entrance examination coordinator at one of India's premier engineering colleges.
Early Life and Higher Education
Suryanarayana Doolla started his academic journey with a clear focus on engineering and technology. He completed his Bachelor of Technology degree in Electrical Engineering from Nagarjuna University in the year 2000. He wanted to gain more specialized knowledge in the field of energy. Therefore, he joined the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay for higher studies. At IIT Bombay, he earned his Master of Technology degree in Energy Systems Engineering in 2002.
He did not stop his studies after completing his Master’s degree. He wanted to become an expert in electrical power networks. He enrolled at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi for doctoral studies. In 2007, he successfully earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Power Systems from IIT Delhi. This strong academic background built a firm foundation for his future career in teaching and engineering research.
Suryanarayana Doolla Biography
| Category | Details |
| Current Designation | Professor, Department of Energy Science & Engineering, IIT Bombay |
| Key Research Areas | Smart Grids, Microgrids, Active Distribution Networks, Power Electronics, Grid Integration of Renewable Energy |
| Education | • B.Tech: Electrical Engineering, Nagarjuna University (2000) • M.Tech: Energy Systems Engineering, IIT Bombay (2002) • Ph.D.: Power Systems, IIT Delhi (2007) |
| Industry Experience | • Machine 2 Machine, Hyderabad (2006–2008) • Power Research and Development Consultants, Bengaluru (2009) |
| Administrative Roles | • Associate Warden: Hostel 6, IIT Bombay (2011) • Warden: Hostel 6, IIT Bombay (2012–2021) • Vice Chairman: JEE (Advanced), UCEED, CEED (2020, 2021) • Organizing Chairman: JEE (Advanced), UCEED, CEED (2022) • Dean of Student Affairs: IIT Bombay (March 2023 – September 2026) |
| Major Awards & Honors | • Young Faculty Award, IIT Bombay (2009) • Excellence in Teaching Award, DESE, IIT Bombay (2017) • Bhaskara Advanced Solar Energy Fellowship (2017) • Prof. S. P. Sukhatme Excellence in Teaching Award, IIT Bombay (2021) |
Career
Before becoming a full-time professor at IIT Bombay, Doolla gained practical experience in the private corporate sector. He wanted to see how power systems work in real-world industries. Between 2006 and 2008, he worked with Machine 2 Machine in Hyderabad. He worked on modern engineering applications and system design during this period.
In 2009, he moved to Bengaluru to join Power Research and Development Consultants. His industry work gave him strong technical knowledge about modern power distribution. These industry roles helped him understand both theoretical ideas and practical engineering challenges. After gaining industry experience, he decided to return to academia to share his knowledge with young engineering students.
Teaching and Academic Career
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla joined the faculty of IIT Bombay in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. Over the years, he established himself as a respected teacher and active researcher in electrical power technology. He taught many undergraduate and postgraduate students about smart grids, renewable energy integration, and microgrids.
He directed numerous research projects focus on how clean energy can safely connect to national electricity networks. His major areas of work include:
- Smart Grids and Microgrids: Designing efficient local power networks that can operate independently or with the main power grid.
- Grid Integration of Renewable Energy: Helping solar and wind energy connect smoothly into normal power supply lines.
- Active Distribution Networks: Improving safety and efficiency in everyday electrical lines.
His interactive style of teaching won him deep respect from his colleagues and students. In 2009, IIT Bombay gave him the Young Faculty Award. Later in 2017, his department honored him with the Excellence in Teaching Award. In September 2021, he received the prestigious Prof. S. P. Sukhatme Excellence in Teaching Award from IIT Bombay. Internationally, he received the Bhaskara Advanced Solar Energy Fellowship in 2017 and won several paper awards from global organizations like IEEE.
Administrative Roles
Apart from teaching classes and guiding research, Professor Doolla took on many major administrative roles at IIT Bombay. He believed that taking care of campus life and student welfare was essential for an academic institution.
For a long period from 2012 to 2021, he served as the Warden of Hostel 6 on campus. He had previously served as the Associate Warden in 2011. In this post, he directly managed daily hostel operations, student residential life, and administrative issues.
In addition to hostel duties, he played key roles in managing entrance tests across India:
- He served as Vice Chairman for national competitive exams like JEE Advanced, UCEED, and CEED during 2020 and 2021.
- In 2022, he took on the large responsibility of Organizing Chairman for JEE Advanced, UCEED, and CEED.
- In March 2023, the institute appointed him as the Dean of Student Affairs.
As Dean of Student Affairs, he handled student welfare programs, campus activities, and discipline protocols.
Recent Controversy
In September 2026, Professor Doolla became the subject of widespread public attention and legal investigation following a tragedy on campus. On September 18, 2026, he was supervising a mid-semester examination in the Energy Department. During the exam, an invigilator reported a student using a smartphone. Later that day, the student died by suicide in his hostel room.
Following complaints from the deceased student's family, the police registered a formal case under local laws. On September 21, 2026, IIT Bombay officially removed Professor Doolla from his position as Dean while official inquiries continue. During this situation, the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum and many department students issued statements supporting Professor Doolla, stating that he was simply following exam security protocols. The investigation remains ongoing as the institute and authorities work to examine all aspects of the event.