Atomic Energy Commission chairman Srikumar Banerjee and flautist Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia were conferred honorary Doctor of Science degrees by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) here Saturday at its annual convocation.

Banerjee was conferred the award for his outstanding contributions to many materials related areas, basic as well as application oriented, IIT Kharagpur director Damodar Acharya said while addressing the 56th annual convocation.

Pandit Chaurasia was honoured for his outstanding effort to reach up to the audience worldwide and draw them to Indian classical music "with his enchanting flute", Acharya said.

Scientists K.L. Chopra and Goverdhan Mehta and HCL chairman Shiv Nadar were also conferred honorary Doctor of Science degrees for their outstanding contribution in their respective fields.