Sir Jnan Chandra Ghosh was an Indian chemist best known for his contribution to the development of scientific research, industrial development and technology education in India. He served as the director of newly formed Eastern Higher Technical Institute in 1950, which was renamed as IIT Kharagpur in 1951.
He was also the director of Indian Institute of Science Bangalore and Vice Chancellor of University of Calcutta.

He was also known for his development of anomaly of strong electrolytes and the dissociation – ionization theory.

J. C. Ghosh’s other important contributions include his extensive study of photocatalysts under the influence of polarised light and developments of Fischer–Tropsch reaction for the synthesis of hydrocarbons. Dr. Ghosh made contributions in the field of application of Differential Thermal Analysis (D.T.A) as tool to the systematic study of solid catalysts.

He also successfully guided research work on technical problems relating to the production from Indian raw materials of phosphatic fertilisers, ammonium sulphate, formaldehyde, potassium chlorate etc. During his active career in building scientific research, technical education and industrial development, he was the Head of Department of Chemistry at Dacca University, the Director of Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore, the Director of Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, the Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University, and the Director-general of Industries and Supplies, Government of India.
Jnan Chandra Ghosh was born in Giridih near Purulia District, British India. Son of Ram Chandra Ghosh, J C Ghosh belonged to a family of mica mine owner and mica merchant. He had his initial schooling at Giridih High School, where he stood first in the Chotnagpur Division in 1909 and enrolled in Presidency College, Kolkata. At Presidency College, he was among finest students who would later become famous scientists. In 1911, Jnan Chandra Ghosh got fourth position in I.Sc. examination, while his other famous classmates Satyendranath Bose topped the list and Meghnad Saha got the third position. He passed both B.Sc. and M. Sc. as first in the first class in Chemistry and during this time he came under the inspiring influence of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray. The Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University, Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee invited Jnan Ghosh to join as a lecturer even before the results were published. After his M.Sc,. he was appointed as a lecturer of the Chemistry Department of newly founded Rajabazar Science College, Calcutta.
Sir Tarak Nath Palit Scholarship and Premchand Raychand student of the year award enabled J C Ghosh to travel to England for his doctoral degree at University College of Science in London. In London, he took up research on various problems of photochemistry and he led to the exposition of theory of anomaly of strong electrolytes and the ionization theory. His scientific research drew appreciation from many famous scientists such as Max Planck, William Bragg and Walther Nernst. In 1918, he was awarded D.Sc. for his research on strong electrolytes. During his stay in London, he worked for some time under Frederick G. Donnan.
Inspired by his mentor Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray, J C Ghosh was committed to development of industries in India.[13] Towards that goal, he led research work on technical problems relating to the production from Indian raw materials of phosphatic fertilisers, ammonium sulphate, formaldehyde, potassium chlorate. He transitioned to the role of Director-General of Industry and Supply ( 1947-1950) and collaborated with international experts that laid the basis of heavy industries of steel, petroleum, machine tools and radar industries. During this period, he also served as a member of All India Council of Technical Education and there he felt the inadequacy of quality trained person for large-scale industrial development. The need of technical education led to the establishment of technology institute and J C Ghosh became the first Director of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. J C Ghosh built a strong foundation with cosmopolitan environment and bringing right people from across India and all over the world