The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), founded by Alladi Ramakrishnan in 1962, is a national institution for fundamental research in the mathematical and physical sciences. The Institute is governed by a Board and anAcademic Council. The present Director of the institute is Prof. R. Balasubramanian.

Research at IMSc is supported by the Department of Atomic Energy of the Government of India and by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Institute members work primarily in the areas of Mathematics, Theoretical Computer Science and Theoretical Physics.

The Institute has an active graduate research program to which a select group of students are admitted every year to work towards a Ph.D. degree. IMSc hosts a large number of scientists at the post-doctorallevel and supports a vibrant Visiting Scientist Scheme. More information is available under Academic Programmes at IMSc.

IMSc has an outstanding scientific library, a computing facility which contains the fastest academic computer in India (as of mid 2004) and a dedicated high-speed network. The Institute hosts several national and international scientific meetings every year. The Institute Annual Reports summarize past and ongoing research.

A new, centrally air-conditioned office and lecture-hall complex houses academic members of IMSc. A 200 seat auditorium, the Ramanujan auditorium, is used for large scientific meetings while smaller lecture halls and classrooms accomodate more modest gatherings. Most public areas in the Institute, including seminar and discussion rooms, lounges and the auditorium are Wi-Fi enabled. 

Located in South Chennai, in the Adyar-Taramani area, the Institute is based in the verdant surroundings of the Central Institutes of Technology (CIT) Campus. The Institute campus also contains a student hostel, flatlets for long-term visitors, married students and post-doctoral fellows, and the Institute Guest-House. IMSc has its own faculty housing in Tiruvanmiyur near the seashore.