🔬 Algorithms & Graph Theory

Hi, I'm Praneet Kumar Patra

BS-MS Student · IISER Pune

I work on graph algorithms, parameterized complexity, and approximation algorithms, designing efficient solutions to combinatorially hard problems.

Google Scholar ↗
Graph Theory Parameterized Algorithms Approximation Algorithms Combinatorial Optimization Complexity Theory
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What I work on

Research Areas

Exploring the algorithmic and structural properties of graphs, with a focus on tractability and hardness.

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Graph Algorithms

Algorithmic problems on graphs including identifying codes, vertex splitting, and graph modification problems.

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Parameterized Algorithms

FPT and XP algorithms for NP-hard problems, including biclique contraction (O*(4.02^k)) and identifying codes.

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Approximation Algorithms

Near-optimal algorithms with provable guarantees, recently constructing XP approximations for fair division on graphs.

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Combinatorial Optimization

Scheduling, fair allocation, and pursuit games, linking structural graph properties to optimization hardness.

Publications & preprints
arXiv
Identifying Codes: Kernelization Limitations
A. Banik, P.K. Patra, A.A. Rescigno, A. Sahu
arxiv.org/abs/2511.21067 ↗
Submitted
Greedy meets DP on Coupled Task Scheduling
N. Banerjee, P.K. Patra, A. Sahu
In Prep
Inclusive and Exclusive Vertex Splitting into Specific Graph Classes: NP Hardness and Algorithms
A. Gaikwad, H. Kumar, S. Padmapriya, P.K. Patra, H. Sanklecha, S. Maity
arxiv.org/abs/2510.26938 ↗
In Prep
Faster Biclique Contraction
A. Agrawal, P.K. Patra, V. Sharma
In Prep
Efficient Identification in Networks: FPT and Limitations
A. Banik, P.K. Patra, A.A. Rescigno, A. Sahu
Beyond the whiteboard

My Fun Stats 🏆

Because a researcher is more than their papers. Here's what else I've been grinding.

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0
Bench Press PR (kg)
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0
Brawl Stars Trophies
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0
Duolingo French — Level
🇫🇷 Beginner
Powering the brain with iron and progressive overload. The Brawl Stars grind is purely for graph-theoretic strategy research. Obviously. 🙃
Who I am

About Me

PK

Praneet Kumar Patra

5th Year BS-MS · IISER Pune · PhD incoming

I'm a 5th year student at IISER Pune — soon to be happily unemployed for about 4 months before my PhD begins. IISER gave me better-than-expected friends, professors, and connections, and I'm grateful for all of it. In life, I'm interested in the gym, graph algorithms, social choice, approximation algorithms, occasional runs, and movie binging. Collaborating with me is a fun experience (or so I hope), and I aim to work with a lot of researchers before my PhD ends. Beyond the academic kind of academics, I find myself reading sci-fi (mostly) and non-fiction, and sometimes muster enough courage to put words on a page — the ones that feel right will find a dedicated home on this site. Oh, and (importantly) this site was built by Claude.

Google Scholar ↗ Algo Talk Series ↗ YouTube ↗ Email ↗
Recognition & service

Fellowships, Honours & PC Memberships

A record of scholarships, awards, and academic service over the years.

Program Committee
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AAAI Program Committee Member

Program Committee Member at the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence.

AAAI 2026 AAAI 2027 Peer Review Academic Service
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Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
Campus France
Prestigious French government scholarship awarded to outstanding international students for graduate studies in France.
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DST-Inspire Fellowship
2021 – 2026
Department of Science & Technology fellowship awarded to top science students to encourage careers in research.
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Infosys Scholarship
2023 and 2024
Merit-based scholarship awarded for maintaining a high GPA across consecutive academic years at IISER Pune.
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Summer Fellowship Program
IIT Madras · Summer 2024
Competitive summer research fellowship at IIT Madras, one of India's premier technical institutes.
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JEE Advanced AIR 3444
National Competitive Exam
All-India rank in the Joint Entrance Examination Advanced, among the most competitive engineering entrance exams in the world.
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NEST AIR 82
National Entrance Screening Test
All-India rank 82 in NEST, the entrance exam for the network of IISERs — a top score nationally.