1.0 Background
The Indian Institute of Metals (IIM), the reputed Institution devoted to promotion and advancement in study, practice and research in Metallurgical Science & Technology was conceived in 1945, by a dozen young metallurgists and was formally inaugurated by Dr. S P Mukherjee, the then Minister for Industry & Supply on 29 December 1947 at Royal Asiatic Society Hall, Calcutta. Delhi Chapter came into being in March 1953. The Indian Institute of Metals, Delhi Chapter (IIM-DC) has acquired a unique and important status among 47 Chapters of IIM, spread all over the country.

Delhi Chapter celebrated its Silver Jubilee in October 1978 and Golden Jubilee in September 2002. Late Dr. D N Wadia, the internationally famous geologist, was the first Chairman of Delhi Chapter and continued until 1963. He was followed by eminent metallurgists and senior government officials, who provided leadership, guidance and wise counsel for Chapter's growth.

The Chapter acknowledged the services of Past-Chairmen and Honorary Secretaries first in 1978 on the occasion of Chapter’s Silver Jubilee and then again in 2002 at the time of Golden Jubilee. Periodically it honors its workers and office bearers for selfless and committed services they have rendered to the Chapter. The Chapter started with only handful of members. They were mostly Government officials and some from the industry. In Sixties, the number of members increased to ~ 50. With a number of Public Sector metallurgical industries having their head offices or branch offices in Delhi; the membership started swelling from Seventies. The present membership, stands ~ 250, including Fellows & Honorary Members. There are many non-metallurgists and well-placed technologists working in metallurgical industries who need be enrolled as members. We continuously make efforts to enhance the membership of IIM. A number of personnel from the offices of DGFT. Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Steel & Ministry of Industry, DGTD and Niti Ayog (earlier Planning Commission), who were enrolled as members of IIM are presently occupying senior positions or have retired from active service.

The Delhi Chapter had the privilege of hosting the U. K. Iron and Steel Institute meeting in 1962. The Indian Institute of Metals collaborated with South American Metallurgical Institute and held inaugural Delhi meeting in India, called ILAFA, in February 1967 followed at Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Kolkata on Direct Reduction of Iron Ore. The Delhi meeting was inaugurated by the then Vice-President of India, Shri Neelam Sanjeev Reddy. In 1972 the Chapter hosted the IIM’s Silver Jubilee function in Hotel Ashok. The Golden Jubilee function of The Indian Institute of Metals, held in 1996 at Vigyan Bhawan, N.Delhi, was also hosted by the Chapter

2.0 Activities
Since its inception, the Chapter has been very active in organizing a number of technical events and lectures delivered by nationally and internationally reputed personalities. From 1978, after the change of IIM Policy to make Chapters more active, IIM Delhi Chapter has been making all out efforts to organize at least one National Seminar every year. It had the unique distinction of organizing, on its own initiative, the first ever International Conference in India on Aluminum (INCAL'85) in 1985. Many foreign technical experts from USA, UK, Germany, France and Canada presented technical papers on various aspects of Aluminum production, processing and uses. Over 700 delegates participated in the Conference held in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. INCAL 85 was inaugurated by Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the then Union Minister of Steel & Mines. Another International Conference was organized by the Chapter on "Forgings" known as FORGE INDIA 95 in April 1995.

The Chapter has conceived & organized a unique event of holding an International Metallurgy Exhibition & Conference coinciding with The Golden Jubilee celebrations of IIM during 1996. This Grand Event has been, from then onwards, being organized by the Delhi Chapter biennially i.e. during 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022 and 2024 (the Event was cancelled in 2020 owing to COVID-19 restrictions). The 14th such Conference cum Exhibition was organized during 27-29 September 2024. The Metallurgical Exhibitions organized during these events, have attracted visitors from National & International corporate world and have generated substantial business. The Metallurgical and Mineral industries have exhibited their products, processes and equipment. Many International companies have participated in the event and they look forward to the next one with great enthusiasm, as it provides a single significant platform for technological information as well as business opportunities. This entire event is now known as MMMM (Minerals, Metals, Metallurgy and Materials). This event has been very much appreciated by National Council of the Indian Institute of Metals. During the last event - MMMM 2024 - an International Conference on `Process and Product Innovations in Metal Production’, was organized simultaneously with an International Exhibition.

The Chapter has been organizing METALLICA quiz regularly for school students. The winner team is being sponsored by the Chapter to national Dr. Brahm Prakash Memorial at Kalapakkam. During 2015, the Team sponsored by IIM Delhi Chapter from Cambridge Foundation school, Rajouri Garden, N.Delhi brought laurels to their School and IIM Delhi Chapter by securing third position in the national competition at Kalapakkam in Sept.2015.

To perpetuate memory of Shri R P Varshney, the leading founder member of IIM-DC, the Chapter organised a 'Quiz Programme for Engineering Students' on 31Oct.2015 at Chapter premises. Encouraged by the success of this Quiz, efforts are being made to make this Quiz a regular feature.

Some of the activities planned at IIM Delhi Chapter are:

• Skill development programmes
• Strengthening interactions with MSMEs for broader outreach of IIM
• Organise technical talks, workshops, interaction sessions on regular basis
• Thrust on membership enrolment
• Organize International Conference during the MMMM 2024 Event on 'Resource Effieciency and Circular Economy in Minerals & Metals Sector in India', coinciding with an International Exhibition during 27-29 September 2024 (tentative) at India International Convention & Expo Centre at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi.

3.0 Infrastructure Facilities
Encouraged by the success of Seminars and other events, the Chapter nourished the idea of having its own premises. During the inauguration of Chapter’s Silver Jubilee in 1978, the then Minister of Defence, Late Babu Jagjivan Ram, while delivering inaugural address took note of the request of the Chapter in the welcome address and promised to recommend allotment of land for constructing a building for the Chapter’s Office. The Ministries of Steel and Industry recommended to DDA for allotment of land to the Chapter. The then Chairman of SAIL, Mr. S Samarapungavan got the Delhi Chapter’s building proposal approved by the IIM Council. He was instrumental in generating resources and provided constant guidance. Mr. V. R. Subramanian, the then Executive Director of ILZDA and Past-Chairman of IIM-DC pursued the matter steadfast and got 1000 Sq. meter plot allotted by DDA in August 1985 in Tughlakabad Institutional Area. With the active support, help and guidance from the then Chairman of Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), an appeal was made to all Mineral and Metallurgical industries in India to liberally contribute for the building. The Foundation stone laying ceremony was held on 10th October 1989 by the then Minister of Steel, Shri M L Fotedar. SAIL contributed the entire requirement of Steel. Board room was furnished by M/s Industrial Cables Ltd., Delhi.

Delhi Chapter building is the most spacious among all Chapter premises of the Indian Institute of Metals in different cities of India, having a built-up area of 0,000 m2.

The Lecture Hall of Chapter's Building was upgraded with complete air conditioning and modern audio-visual facilities in June 2011. It has ~ 120 seating capacity. This hall is being extensively utilized for organizing Workshops, Seminars and Technical Talks.

The Chapter has a good library facility. The library has about 700 books and journals in the ferrous and non-ferrous sector.

For effective utilization of 2nd and 3rd floors, a Lift has been installed and is in Operation since Sept.2016.

In order to contribute towards national efforts in improving Climate, Solar Panel System (10 kW capacity) has also been installed on the roof top of our building and is fully operational since March 2017.

THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF METALS – DELHI CHAPTER
- Key Office Bearers

Major Conferences / Seminars organized by IIM Delhi Chapter Since 1978