We mourn the passing of Prof. P R K Rao, an extraordinary teacher, scholar, and mentor whose influence spans generations of students and colleagues. IIIT Hyderabad was Prof. Rao’s last academic home (July 2006 to January 2015), where he continued to inspire with his intellect, curiosity, and deep love for teaching.
Prior to joining IIIT Hyderabad, Prof. Rao served as Professor of Electrical Engineering at Osmania University and IIT Kanpur, from where he superannuated in 1994–95. Retirement, however, did little to slow him down. He remained academically active well beyond superannuation, engaging minds and conversations with the same rigor and enthusiasm that defined his long career.
For those who knew him, Prof. Rao was an institution in himself—a man of formidable intellect, wide-ranging interests, and an inspiring teacher to thousands. He possessed a rare ability to argue thoughtfully from multiple perspectives, often leaving his listeners reflecting long after the conversation ended. His sharp analytical mind, matched with a natural command of language and a subtle, knowing humour, made every interaction memorable. His gentle smile could soften even the sharpest critique, and his spirit was infectious, encouraging everyone around him to think deeper and question more honestly.
It is difficult to imagine our academic spaces without his presence—without his arguments that enlightened us and his questions that made us pause and reflect. Yet, his is truly a life worth celebrating. IIIT Hyderabad was fortunate to have him actively associated with us for over a decade, and connected with us for nearly another, following his illustrious career at IIT Kanpur. He was, in every sense, a professor’s professor.
One line of his remains especially worth remembering and repeating: “One has no business being a faculty if one cannot or does not love students.”
To honour Prof. Rao’s remarkable life and legacy, the institute held a memorial meeting on 12 January to reminisce, share memories, and celebrate the extraordinary person that he was. His family members graciously joined the gathering.
January 2026