Lodha Genius Programme: Ashoka University

I got accepted to and completed the one month long Lodha Genius Programme On Campus Module at Ashoka University in May and June 2025. The Lodha Genius Programme is a fully funded, all expenses paid, highly competetive summer programme focusing on Science and Mathematics with an acceptance rate ≈ 3%. It was hosted at Ashoka University and sponsored by the Lodha Foundation. Though the On-Campus Module has ended, I am currently engaged in the Continued-Learning Module of LGP, where I am preparing for European Tournament of Enthusiastic Apprentice Mathematicians (ETEAM) 2026, and International Tournament of Young Mathematicians (ITYM) 2026, while also auditing the Research Track in Mathematics.

Academic Specialization

I specialised in Pure Mathematics, taking courses in Number Theory, Group Theory, Linear Algebra, and Geometry (Plane to Spherical). The academic rigour was remarkable: trying to solve open problems at 3 am, working together to solve the p-sets in the library an hour before the deadline, and embracing failure as part of the process.

• Number Theory: Taught by Professor Shanta Laishram, we covered topics in introductory number theory, loosely following the book Elementary Number Theory by David Burton. We covered Number Theory for all 4 weeks and had daily 3-hour lectures, along with turorials every evening, soemtimes taking 4-5 hours. My final presentation in Number Theory was focused on Euler's Criterion for quadratic residues modulo primes, and was judged on the basis of mathematical rigour by the Professor, Programme Instructor, and TAs.

• Algebra and Group Thepry: Taught by Professor Niladri Sekhar Patra, we covered topics in introductory group theory, completing exercises from and following the book Groups and Symmetry by M. A. Armstrong. We covered Group Theory in the last two weeks. Our main assessment was by the Problem Sets given daily and the quizes happening twice a week, along with the final exam held at the end of the course.

• Linear Algebra: Taught by Professor Sagar Shrivastav, we covered the undergraduate courseload for Linear Algebra, using the same notes and material that Professor Sagar uses for his undergraduate Linear Algebra courses (MAT-1001 and CS-2210). We covered Linear Algebra for all 4 weeks and had 3-hour lectures on Mondays and Fridays. Our main assessment was by the undergraduate problem sets and assignments given in every class and the quizes happening in the first 15 minutes of every lecture, along with the final exam held at the end of the course.

• Geometry (Plane to Spherical): Taught by Professor Mohit Upmanyu, we covered topics in euclidean and spherical geometry, completing exercises from and following the book Geometry revisited by Harold Scott MacDonald Coxeter. We covered Geometry in the first two weeks. Our main assessment was by the Exericses assigned daily from the book Geometry revisited by Harold Scott MacDonald Coxeter, and the quizes happening once every lecture, along with the final exam held at the end of the course.

Support from faculty and brilliant teaching assistants made the journey incredible. One month ago, I couldn’t have imagined that 2 weeks later I would be sitting in a secluded classroom in Ashoka University at 10 pm trying to understand my programme instructor’s PhD thesis, or trying to solve a problem sheet for a treat at Dominoes by the number theory teaching assistants.

Continued Learning Module

• Foundations of ETEAM : Taught by Professor Sagar Shrivastava, the invitation to prepare for the European Tournament of Enthusiastic Apprentice Mathematicians (ETEAM) 2026 was an honour awarded to the top 10% of LGP Scholars. We are simultaneously also preparing for the International Tournament of Young Mathematicians (ITYM) 2026. Foundations for ETEAM is a yearlong enrichment course designed for Lodha Genius Scholars to prepare deeply for the ETEAM and ITYM tournaments. Conducted weekly over 1.5 hours, the course offers an immersive mathematical experience structured around core topics in algebra, advanced geometry, number theory, group theory, calculus, probability, logic, discrete mathematics, real analysis, etc. The course is not a crash course; rather, it emphasizes clarity, conceptual depth, and mathematical maturity. Sessions include live teaching, problem solving, and collaborative discussion on various books and articles. We engage with advanced Olympiad-style problems, foundational theorems, and classic mathematical reasoning techniques. MOCK ETEAM Simulations are also conducted, where the students are divided into groups and are given 6 advanced problems to be presented on the day of the MOCK, following the exact same ETEAM process. Every team is assigned to be the Reporter in one problem, the Opponent to another group in a problem, and the Reviewer in yet another group's problem. Such MOCK ETEAM Simluations happened online on October 26th, 2025, and offline on November 25th and 26th, at Ashoka University (travel stipends provided). The exact rules and basic syllabus of ETEAM can be found here.

• Research Track in Mathematics: Taught by Professor Sagar Shrivastava, this course is designed to introduce mathematically talented high school students to the world of mathematical research. Moving beyond problem-solving, this course emphasizes exploration, critical reading, communication, and exposition-core elements of the research process. Each month, we engage with a theme from an area of mathematics that has rich theoretical foundations and active research culture. We read 1-2 carefully chosen expository papers per week, which are discussed during live sessions. We also work on related problem sets and write a monthly exposition, synthesizing our learning, exploring examples, and reflecting on ideas and proof techniques.

Great Ideas Seminars

• Euler's Work on Zeta Values on Professor Haruzo Hida, 2019 Leroy P. Steele Prize for Seminal Contribution to Research from the American Mathematical Society and Distinguished Research Professor of Mathematics at the University of California, Los Angeles

• Great Ideas in Cosmology: The Expanding Universe by Professor Raja GuhaThakura, Professor at UCO/Lick Observatory, University of California Santa Cruz; and Professor Brian Schmidt, 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics and Vice-chancellor of the Australian National University

• What is Life? by Sir. Paul Nurse, 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, former President of the Royal Society and Chief Executive and Director of the Francis Crick Institute

• Biology: A Bridge between Science, Medicine and Space Exploration by Dr. Brigitte Godard, ESA Space Surgeon and Dr. Sharmila Bhattacharya, Principal Investigator at NASA Ames Research Center

• Whence Biological Forms by Professor Thomas Lecuit, Professor at Collège de France

• Breaking Barriers: Conversation with Hari Shroff, Senior Group Leader at Janelia Research Campus, developer of breakthrough optical microscopy methods

• Simple Science Toys by Arvind Gupta, Padma Shree, Indian science educator, toy inventor, author, translator and scientist

• Where Fashion Meets Innovation by Mossi Traoré, French fashion designer and the Founder of the MOSSI fashion label

We also did a site visit to Aperture Telescopes, learning astrophotography from Shri Ajay Talwar, a astrophotographer for more than 30 years, and one of only two people in the world to ever capture a tutulemma: an analemma containing a solar eclipse.

On the final day, our graduation certificates were awarded by Professor Somak Raychaudhury, Vice-Chancellor at Ashoka University and past Director, IUCAA.

Reflection & Takeaway

Above all, what I’ll treasure most are the people: the 3 am Maggi and the friendships that turned four weeks into home.
Thank you to the faculty, mentors, and peers who shaped this transformative experience.