The Mace is a symbol of authority. The earliest Maces, usually carried by a royal bodyguard were intended to be used as a weapon to protect the King, should he be attacked. As time passed, cities, parliaments, and other bodies adopted the Mace to serve as an object vested with the power of the Institution. In Academia, the Mace is a treasured object of the “Symbol and Authority of Office ”.

Graduates, faculty, students, and all community members of an Institute look forward to the convocation ceremony as the showcase event of the academic year. The Mace adds dignity, meaning, and a sense of ceremonial authority to the convocation proceedings. It reminds both participants and spectators that education is a cherished attribute of the society and symbolizes the values that the Institute upholds.

IISER Bhopal’s mace is made of brass and teak wood and displays the Institute’s logo in brass with deep brown and gold relief. Above and beneath the logo the words 'ज्ञानम बलमस्ति' and ‘Knowledge is Power’, respectively, are engraved. There is also a brass olive-wreath encircling the Institute logo proclaiming the fact that IISER Bhopal educates students with an aim of safeguarding and promoting peace.

The origins of the academic regalia date back to the 12^th and 13^th centuries, when universities were emerging from religious organizations. The academic regalia consists of the gown, hood, cap and tassel which will all vary according to the wearer.

Gowns

• The gown for the BS-MS degree and Ph.D. degree is black in colour
• The gown for the faculty members is black in colour with yellow border
• The gown for dignitaries is maroon in colour with velvet border with jari
• The gown for members BoG and Heads of the Department is black colour silk with golden border
• The gown for the Marshal (Registrar) is turquoise green with a golden border

Hoods

• The hood for Ph.D. degree is blue and gray in colour
• The hood for BS-MS degree is yellow and white in colour

Caps and Tassles

• The cap for BS-MS degree is black in colour with a black tassel
• The cap for Ph.D. degree is black in colour with a golden tassel

The Institute awards the D.Sc. (Honoris Causa) degree at its convocation from time-to-time. This degree is awarded to individuals (from India and abroad) in recognition of their outstanding contributions in various fields including, but not limited to science, art, literature, technology, sports, and public service. In addition to the degree certificate, the D.Sc. (Honoris Causa) degree awardee is also presented with a medal.

The recipient(s) of the D.Sc. (Honoris Causa) degree shall be the Guest of Honour at the convocation and shall join the Academic Procession with other dignitaries. Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat will be conferred with the D.Sc.(Honoris Causa) degree during Convocation 2015.

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