It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Professor R.K. Arora, one of the pioneering members of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Delhi. Prof. Arora served the Institute with distinction as Professor from 1967 to 1997 and as Professor Emeritus from 1997 to 2003, leaving behind a legacy that spans teaching, research, administration, and institution building.

Prof. Arora was among the early architects of computing education at IIT Delhi. His research encompassed operating systems, distributed computing, software engineering, and the theory of computation, and he guided numerous doctoral students who went on to contribute to academia and industry. Beyond his academic contributions, he played a pivotal role in developing the Institute’s computing infrastructure, serving as Head of the Computer Services Centre and the Centre for Administrative Computerisation, where he led the computerization of academic and administrative functions across the campus.

A dedicated educator and public servant, Prof. Arora made significant contributions to professional bodies, government agencies, and national initiatives in information technology. His commitment to advancing computer science education and practice was recognized through numerous honours, including IIT Delhi’s Distinguished Service Award.

The CSE department extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, students, and colleagues. He will be remembered with great respect and gratitude for his enduring contributions to the Institute and to the field of computer science.