Dr. Bharat Chandra Routara assumed the position of Principal, KIIT Polytechnic, on 1 st June 2026. Prior to this he was serving as a Senior Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering at KIIT Deemed to be University and continues to hold the responsibility of Chairman, Central Library Committee. Also he had served as the Dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering for four years. Since joining the KIIT Group of Institutions in 2009, he has held several key academic and administrative positions, including Programme Head of the M.Tech. (Manufacturing Processes and Systems) and Ph.D programme.

Dr. Routara obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering and Technology (CET), Bhubaneswar, under OUAT. He earned his Master’s degree in Production Engineering from Bengal Engineering College, Shibpur, Howrah, now known as the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur. He was awarded his Ph.D. from Jadavpur University, West Bengal in 2008. With more than 31 years of teaching and academic experience, Dr. Routara has established himself as a distinguished educator, researcher, and academic leader. He has successfully guided seven Ph.D. scholars, with five more currently pursuing their doctoral research under his supervision, in addition to mentoring seventeen M.Tech. students. His scholarly contributions include more than 100 research publications in reputed national and international journals and numerous presentations at prestigious international conferences.

His research interests encompass non-traditional machining, cryogenic cooling, surface characterization, and optimization of machinability parameters. He is also the holder of an international patent and is a Fellow of The Institution of Engineers (India). Furthermore, he is a life member of ISTE, IIIE, and The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Renowned for his innovative teaching methodologies and academic excellence, Dr. Routara has taught a wide range of core Mechanical Engineering subjects, including Engineering Mechanics, Production Technology, Quality Control, and Operations Research. His teaching style is highly appreciated for its interactive approach, infectious enthusiasm, practical orientation, and exceptional ability to connect classroom learning with real-world industrial experiences through engaging storytelling.

Dr. Routara has made substantial contributions to the accreditation, quality assurance, and ranking initiatives of the University. He has played a pivotal role in leading teams during accreditation processes conducted by NBA, NAAC, and IET. In addition, he has served on several important academic and administrative bodies, including the Academic Council, Board of Studies, and Academic Advisory Committee of KIIT, as well as various other academic organizations. His visionary leadership, commitment to academic excellence, and dedication to institutional development continue to inspire students, faculty members, and the broader academic community.