"Gyaam Paramam Dhyeyam" – the motto of IIT Bombay
Translation: Knowledge alone is the ultimate pursuit — everything else is either a means or a distraction.
Welcome to my webpage!
My name is Basudev Biswal, and I am working as a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Bombay. Prior to joining IIT Bombay, I worked at IIT Hyderabad from 2013 to 2017. I received PhD in hydrology in 2011 from University of Padova, Italy. The reason for being in academia is my liking for both research and teaching. I view teaching as an extension of research, and vice versa. Click here for my research statement and here for my teaching statement. Click this link to access my biodata and contact details.
The primary focus of my research is conceptualization of complex phenomena and develop mathematical models for prediction purposes. A brief overview of my research contributions can be found here. To access my peer reviewed publications, check my Google Scholar profile. To see all publications including selected conference presentation files and preprints, check my ResearchGate profile. My key Research Contributions include development of several novel mathematical models:
First to propose a link between streamflow recession curves and channel network morphology.
First to show with observed data that catchment scale storage-discharge relationship is not static.
First to propose a dynamic hydrological model based on the Budyko framework.
Led conceptualization of an iterative channel routing model for better prediction of flood peaks.
Led conceptualization of a HAND-based flood inundation model, especially suitable for large data-scarce regions.
Led conceptualization of a parsimonious sediment load model.
Led conceptualization of a probabilistic landscape evolution model.
I am currently involved in leading the development of LSHMS (Large Scale Hydrological Modelling System), a stand-alone software with a friendly GUI for predicting streamflow and flood inundation. It is capable of producing results using little computational resources and allows visualization of discharge and inundation depth at any location. The software is currently undergoing minor checks before its launch, which is expected to not take too long.
Besides my work on hydrological modelling and landscape evolution, I like to read a wide rang of subjects including education, history, and philosophy. I regularly write on Blogger, Medium, and LinkedIn. Some of my articles include:
We don’t need human versions of AI
Navigating the troubled waters of PhD
Lack of Skills in Indian Academia? CEOs too are Responsible
The real purpose of an internship
Don't apply for jobs half-heartedly
IITJEE is inadequate for testing real-life problem solving skills
Can Brick-and-Mortar Universities Be Replaced by AI?
Not Knowing is not as Easy as You Think
Shopping malls can explain the low scientific productivity of India
Getting the right answer for wrong reasons
If you are interested in working with me as a student, intern, or collaborator, please fill this Google Form. Note that I am interested in working with interns who are likely to have a long-term association with me, for example, by joining my group as a PhD student in the future. For more details see the Prospective Members page.