School of Natural Sciences and Engineering
Dhruva Kumar Singh
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Adjunct Professor
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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.
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Evaluation of Energy Transition Readiness in the Residential Cooking Sector Among the Low and Medium-Income Households in Bengaluru
This study examines the readiness of the inhabitants of Bengaluru, a metropolitan city located in the State of Karnataka in India, to shift to electricity-based residential cooking. The study also touches upon the critical knowledge gaps regarding the energy transition from an established LPG-based ecosystem to the new electric cooking ecosystem.
A Methodological Framework for Strategic Electricity Generation Planning in India: Assessing Resource Adequacy Through Probability Risk Metrics
This study discusses a methodological framework in conjunction with the existing probability-based risk metrics for assessing the resource adequacy of the electricity generation mix, considering the generation capacities of different sources, their average availability levels, and the possible outages that these sources may suffer from. The simulations show that the available capacity decreases with an increasing number of discrete risk events, which limits the capability of the power system to meet the demand.
A Methodological Framework for Strategic Electricity Generation Planning in India: Assessing Resource Adequacy Through Probability Risk Metrics
This study discusses a methodological framework in conjunction with the existing probability-based risk metrics for assessing the resource adequacy of the electricity generation mix, considering the generation capacities of different sources, their average availability levels, and the possible outages that these sources may suffer from. The simulations show that the available capacity decreases with an increasing number of discrete risk events, which limits the capability of the power system to meet the demand.
A Methodological Framework for Strategic Electricity Generation Planning in India: Assessing Resource Adequacy Through Probability Risk Metrics
This study discusses a methodological framework in conjunction with the existing probability-based risk metrics for assessing the resource adequacy of the electricity generation mix, considering the generation capacities of different sources, their average availability levels, and the possible outages that these sources may suffer from. The simulations show that the available capacity decreases with an increasing number of discrete risk events, which limits the capability of the power system to meet the demand.
Kinnal Toys: A Glimpse into Karnataka’s Wooden Craft Heritage
The remarkable story of Kinnal toys, a unique and cherished handcrafted art form, can be traced back to the 15th century, coinciding with the glorious reign of the Vijayanagara Empire in southern India.
Essential negotiation skills while moving from research to industry
It’s taken for granted that every researcher, after their PhD, moves to academics. Very few are interested in moving into industry.
Why Women Drift Away from Science
In school classrooms, girls often do well in science-sometimes exceptionally well. They score high, answer confidently, and speak about careers in medicine, research, or environmental science with genuine enthusiasm. Yet as the academic funnel narrows, something shifts. By the time science reaches its more demanding spaces-research laboratories, doctoral programmes, institutional leadership-many of these young women are no longer there.Women are often excluded from high-visibility assignments or leadership roles on the assumption that they may not be “available.”