School of Natural Sciences and Engineering

Prof. Dhruva Kumar Singh is a nationally recognized authority in critical minerals and rare earth technologies, with more than three decades of leadership in strategic materials research and distinguished contributions to advancing the field. He served as Head, Hydrometallurgy & Rare Earth Development Section at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, and Professor of Chemical Sciences at the Homi Bhabha National Institute, Department of Atomic Energy. A Gold Medallist in M.Sc. Chemistry from Magadh University, he entered India’s premier nuclear research establishment—Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai—in 1991 after completing the prestigious BARC Training School’s Orientation Course in Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology. He obtained his PhD from the University of Mumbai and carried out post-doctoral research at Florida State University with renowned nuclear scientist Prof. G. R. Choppin.

Prof. Singh has pioneered hydrometallurgical technologies for the extraction and processing of rare earth and critical metals using innovative indigenous approaches that contribute to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. These technologies have been adopted and implemented by IREL (India) Limited, enabling India’s first production of several heavy rare earth elements, including dysprosium, yttrium, and gadolinium. His work has also enabled the production of nuclear-grade gadolinium nitrate hexahydrate in the country for reactor applications, along with high-purity neodymium and Nd–Pr oxides—key materials for clean energy technologies and advanced permanent magnets. Technologies developed under his leadership have further supported national initiatives such as the Rare Earths & Titanium Theme Park (RETTP) and strategic rare earth magnet production in India.

He has authored over 300 scientific publications, delivered numerous invited lectures at various forums, mentored numerous PhD and M.Tech scholars, and served on several technical committees, including those of NITI Aayog, where he currently chairs the High-Level Committee on Critical and Strategic Minerals. His distinguished contributions have been widely recognized through prestigious honors, including the Metallurgist of the Year Award (Ministry of Steel), the Hindustan Zinc Gold Medal, the INS Medal, the VASVIK Award, and several Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Currently, he serves as Visiting Professor at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, where he has initiated a course on Critical Minerals and Rare Earths, contributing to capacity building in this strategically important sector.

Dr. Deependra Singh is the Former Chairman and Managing Director of IREL (India) Limited, a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India. With over three and a half decades of experience in mining, mineral processing, and rare earth refining, he has been a key architect in strengthening India’s rare earth value chain.

During his nearly decade-long tenure as CMD, Dr. Singh led the development of both the upstream segment — from mining to rare earth oxides — and the midstream segment, covering metals to magnet production, contributing significantly to India’s strategic mineral capabilities. Prior to becoming CMD, he served as Director (Marketing), bringing strong commercial leadership to the organisation.

An Engineering graduate with an M.Tech in Industrial Design, MBA in Marketing, and Ph.D. in Mineral Technology, Dr. Singh has been associated with projects supported by the World Bank, OPEC, and the Asian Development Bank, and is a UNIDO Fellow (Germany). He has received several prestigious recognitions, including Lifetime Achievement and multiple CEO leadership awards for his contributions to public sector management and the rare earth industry. He has multiple professional association with Industrial and Institutional bodies and have the privilege of spearheading them as Chairman.