Khem Singh Gill, Agricultural Scientist and Geneticist
Agricultural Scientist and Geneticist

Khem Singh Gill

Born 1 September 1930 · Punjab — Died 17 September 2019

Bred new strains of wheat, linseed, and sesame advancing India's Green Revolution.

Khem Singh Gill was an Indian academic, geneticist, plant breeder and Vice-Chancellor of the Punjab Agricultural University. He was known for his contributions to the Green Revolution in India. Instrumental for breeding new strains of wheat, linseed, and sesame, he was the author of the book Research on wheat and triticale in the Punjab along with several additional articles on the subject. He was also the vice-president of The Kalgidhar Trust and The Kalgidhar Society, Baru Sahib, which is one of the largest Sikh charities.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Khem Singh Gill was one of the first scientists sent abroad by Punjab Agricultural University in 1963 for doctoral studies, returning with a PhD in genetics that fueled India's Green Revolution.

The Story

1
In 1966, after earning his PhD in genetics from the University of California, Khem Singh Gill returned to India to lead the Department of Genetics at Punjab Agricultural University, marking the start of his pivotal role in agricultural science.
2
🌾 By 1968, Gill was appointed head of the Department of Plant Breeding at PAU, where he spearheaded research that bred new strains of wheat, linseed, and sesame, directly influencing crop yields in Punjab.
3In 1983, as Director of Research at PAU, he expanded the institution's research footprint by launching programs at the Hisar and Ludhiana campuses, pushing regional agricultural innovation.
4🌱 Between 1989 and 1993, he served as Vice Chancellor of PAU, overseeing the transformation of the Department of Plant Breeding into a recognized Center of Excellence, strengthening India’s wheat improvement initiatives.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1992
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1963, Gill became the first scientist from Punjab Agricultural University to be sent abroad for research, earning a PhD from the University of California by 1966, a rare opportunity at the time.

🖼️

Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Khem Singh Gill at G.H.G. Harparkash College of Education for Women (2015)
Khem Singh Gill at G.H.G. Harparkash College of Education for Women (2015)
2015

🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Kaleke, Punjab
Khem Singh Gill was born in the village of Kaleke in Punjab, now in Moga district, marking the start of a life tied closely to the region’s agriculture.
1930
📚
Education
Graduated from Khalsa College
Completed BSc in Agricultural Science at Khalsa College, Amritsar, laying the educational foundation for his future research.
1949
📚
Education
Earned MSc from Punjab University
Secured master's degree in genetics and plant breeding, positioning him for advanced research roles.
1951
📚
Education
Started PhD at University of California
Began doctoral studies abroad as the first PAU scientist sent overseas, focusing on genetics of linseed.
1963
⚡
Career
Became Head of Genetics at PAU
Returned to India with a PhD and took charge of the Department of Genetics, initiating key research programs.
1966
⚡
Career
Appointed Vice Chancellor of PAU
Became Vice Chancellor, leading the university through a period of research expansion until 1993.
1989
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Received the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India recognizing his contributions to agricultural science.
1992
🕊️
Death
Passed away in Ludhiana
Died at age 89 in Ludhiana, leaving behind a legacy in agricultural genetics and education.
2019
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Gill authored over 475 scientific papers and several books, a volume of work notable for a single agricultural scientist from India in the post-independence era.

02 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

During his leadership, the Department of Plant Breeding at PAU gained international recognition, a critical step in placing Indian agricultural research on the global map.

03 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Gill worked closely with Norman Borlaug in the 1960s, contributing to wheat varieties that not only transformed India’s agriculture but also had implications across South Asia.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Khem Singh Gill’s research directly enhanced wheat, linseed, and sesame crop varieties, which increased food production capacity in Punjab and neighboring states. As Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, he elevated the institution’s national and international stature, fostering agricultural innovation that supported India’s self-reliance in grain production. His leadership bridged scientific advancements with community development through his work with The Kalgidhar Trust.

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