India’s Oldest & Largest Museum Welcomes Its Youngest Director | 30 Jan 2026

Why in News?

Dr. Sayan Bhattacharya has been appointed as the youngest-ever Director of the Indian Museum in Kolkata, the oldest and largest museum in India.

Key Points: 

• Institution: Founded in 1814 by the Asiatic Society of Bengal (led by Dr. Nathaniel Wallich), it is the first museum in the Asia-Pacific region. 
  • It houses a vast collection of over 2.5 million artefacts across disciplines such as archaeology, anthropology, geology, zoology, and numismatics. 
• Appointment: Dr. Bhattacharya previously served as the Deputy Director and Education Officer at the museum. The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. 
• Educational Background: Dr. Bhattacharya holds a Ph.D. in Archaeology from the prestigious Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute in Pune. 
• International Exposure: He is an alumnus of the British Museum's International Training Programme (ITP), where he gained global perspectives on museum management. 
• Experience: Before this appointment, he served as the Deputy Director and Curator (Education) at the Indian Museum. 
• Recognition: In January 2026, he was honored with the title "Man of Ideas" by the Governor of West Bengal, Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose. 
• Significance: Supports national priorities under the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, promoting cultural preservation and public engagement.