NSR
Agricultural Scientist

Narinder Singh Randhawa

Born 13 March 1927 · verify — Died 26 November 1996

Led the Indian Council of Agricultural Research as director general, advancing soil science and crop research.

Narinder Singh Randhawa (1927–1996) was an Indian agricultural scientist, writer and the director general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). He was the president of the Indian Society of Soil Science during 1980–81 term and was a recipient of National Citizen Award and Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. In 1989, the Government of India awarded him the country's third highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan, for his contributions to agricultural science.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Randhawa coordinated the All India Coordinated Project on Micronutrients for a full decade (1967–1977), a rare long-term national effort to combat soil micronutrient deficiencies that had often gone unnoticed in Indian agriculture.

The Story

1
In 1964, Narinder Singh Randhawa earned his PhD in soil science from the University of California, returning to India to tackle micronutrient deficiencies in Indian soils by coordinating the All India Coordinated Project on Micronutrients from 1967 to 1977.
2
🌱 From 1970 to 1979, he held multiple leadership roles at Punjab Agricultural University, including head of the Department of Soils, dean of the College of Agriculture, and director of research, shaping agricultural education and soil fertility research during a critical decade for Indian farming.
3In February 1985, Randhawa was appointed Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Secretary to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, marking the peak of his administrative influence over national agricultural science policies.
4🧪 Between 1985 and 1990, he served as vice chair of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Hyderabad, guiding research on crop improvement for drought-prone regions.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1967, Randhawa became the national coordinator of the All India Coordinated Project on Micronutrients, a pioneering national program that ran for ten years, something uncommon for research projects at that time in Indian agriculture.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Amritsar district
Narinder Singh Randhawa was born on 13 March 1927 in Amritsar district, India.
1927
📚
Education
PhD from University of California
Randhawa earned his doctoral degree in soil science from the University of California, USA.
1964
⚡
Career
National Coordinator for Micronutrient Project
He became national coordinator of the All India Coordinated Project on Micronutrients in Soils and Plants under ICAR.
1967
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Career
Deputy Director General at ICAR
Randhawa joined ICAR as Deputy Director General (Soils, Agronomy and Engineering).
1979
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Career
President of Indian Society of Soil Science
Served as president of the Indian Society of Soil Science from 1980 to 1981.
1980
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Career
Appointed Director General of ICAR
Took charge as Director General of ICAR and Secretary to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education.
1985
⚡
Career
Vice Chair at ICRISAT, Hyderabad
Assumed role of vice chair at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics until 1990.
1985
🏅
Award
Received Padma Bhushan
Awarded Padma Bhushan by the Government of India for contributions to agricultural science.
1989
🕊️
Death
Death at age 69
Narinder Singh Randhawa passed away on 26 November 1996.
1996
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 06
👤PERSONAL

During his leadership at Punjab Agricultural University, Randhawa simultaneously held four key positions—senior professor, head of department, dean, and director of research—showcasing his multifaceted influence on agricultural education between 1970 and 1979.

02 / 06
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Randhawa’s administrative peak came in 1985 when he was appointed both Director General of ICAR and Secretary to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, giving him dual authority in shaping India’s agricultural research agenda.

03 / 06
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

From 1985 to 1990, Randhawa served as vice chair of ICRISAT in Hyderabad, influencing international research focused on crops adapted to semi-arid tropics, a vital region for India’s food security.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Narinder Singh Randhawa’s leadership at ICAR during the 1980s solidified the institutional focus on soil micronutrient management, improving crop yields and soil health across India. His tenure as vice chair at ICRISAT helped advance research on dryland crops, directly benefiting farmers in semi-arid regions. His published works remain reference points for agricultural research policy and soil science education in India.

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