Probing the densest objects in the universe
We are a research group at the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India — working at the intersection of nuclear physics, astrophysics, gravitational waves, and dark matter to unravel the mysteries of neutron stars.
What we study
Equation of State of Neutron Stars
Deciphering the fundamental question: what are neutron stars composed of? We investigate exotic dense matter at nuclear densities using relativistic mean-field models and observational constraints from LIGO, NICER, and pulsar timing.
Hyperons & Exotic Matter
Exploring strangeness-bearing particles — hyperons, delta baryons, and quarkyonic matter — at the core of massive neutron stars and their effect on stellar structure, stability, and gravitational-wave emission.
Gravitational Waves & Oscillations
Computing quasinormal modes, f-mode and p-mode oscillation frequencies, tidal deformability, and universal I-Love-Q relations, directly connecting to GW170817 and future LIGO/Einstein Telescope observations.
Dark Matter in Neutron Stars
Using neutron stars as cosmic dark matter laboratories — constraining WIMP dark matter, fermionic dark matter, and self-interacting dark matter through mass, radius, and oscillation observables.
Thermal Evolution
Investigating the intricate cooling of isolated and accreting neutron stars, proto-neutron star evolution, and the role of temperature, entropy, and lepton fraction on nuclear matter properties.
Multi-Messenger Astrophysics
Bridging nuclear theory with electromagnetic, gravitational wave, and neutrino observations to constrain the neutron star equation of state and test fundamental physics at extreme densities.
Dr. Bharat Kumar
Bharat Kumar
Assistant Professor · Department of Physics & Astronomy, NIT Rourkela · since June 2020
M.Sc. Physics, AMU Aligarh · Ph.D. with S K Patra, IOP Bhubaneswar · Postdoc with Sukanta Bose (LIGO-India, IUCAA) · Postdoc with Takashi Nakatsukasa, University of Tsukuba, Japan
Current team members
PhD Students
Pinku Routaray
M.Sc., Berhampur University
Sayantan Ghosh
M.Sc., Banaras Hindu University
Master Students
Kanika Karan
Shubhajit Saha
Selected publications
Probing the Impact of WIMP Dark Matter on Universal Relations, GW170817 Posterior and Radial Oscillations
Radial Oscillations of Dark Matter Admixed Neutron Stars
Impact of the Equation of State on f- and p-Mode Oscillations of Neutron Stars
Inferring Neutron Star Properties from GW170817 with Universal Relations
New Relativistic Effective Interaction for Finite Nuclei, Infinite Nuclear Matter, and Neutron Stars
Constraints on the Moment of Inertia of PSR J0737-3039A from GW170817
News
Upcoming events
Asian GW Astronomy Meeting (AGWAM 2026) — Chiang Mai, Thailand. Info ↗
IGWN School 2026 — Perimeter Institute, Canada. For grad students & early-career researchers. Info ↗
Zakopane Conference on Nuclear Physics — "Extremes of the Nuclear Landscape", Zakopane, Poland.
NuSym26 — Nuclear Symmetry Energy Symposium — EoS, gravitational waves & supernova neutrinos. Info ↗
Join us
PhD Fellowship (DST WISE)
Positions available through the DST WISE Fellowship for Ph.D. in nuclear physics, neutron star astrophysics, and dark matter physics.
Apply via DST WISE ↗NIT Rourkela PhD Fellowship
Regular PhD positions through NIT Rourkela's Department of Physics & Astronomy. Openings in our group for motivated students.
See announcements ↗SERB-NPDF Fellowship
Postdoc candidates can apply through the SERB National Post-Doctoral Fellowship (NPDF) to work in our group.
Apply via SERB ↗DST WISE-PDF / WISE SCOPE
The DST WISE-PDF and WISE SCOPE Fellowship for Postdoc are available for candidates with strong backgrounds in nuclear/astro physics.
WISE-PDF ↗ WISE SCOPE ↗MSc / IMSc Thesis Projects
Students enrolled at NIT Rourkela interested in working on thesis projects in our group. Send your CV to arrange a discussion.
Contact Dr. Kumar ↗Own Fellowship? Join Us
If you have an external fellowship and wish to pursue a PhD or Postdoc in our group, please contact Dr. Kumar directly.
kumarbh@nitrkl.ac.in ↗Contact
Dr. Bharat KumarMC202, Department of Physics & Astronomy
National Institute of Technology, Rourkela
Odisha 769008, India
Email: kumarbh@nitrkl.ac.in
Maps ↗ Directions ↗
Support
Supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India.
Part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, NIT Rourkela.
