Prof. Athokpam K. Singh Among World's Top 2% Scientists

The Cliff News | 12 October 2026

Prof. Athokpam K. Singh, Head of the Department of Applied Geology at Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, has been distinguished with a place among the World’s Top 2% of Scientists for 2026. This significant international acclaim, compiled by Elsevier in collaboration with Stanford University, USA, highlights his substantial impact on geosciences. Prof. Singh also achieved an impressive 116th global rank in the field of Geology, underscoring the depth and significance of his research.

The recognition serves as a testament to Prof. Singh's unwavering commitment to scientific exploration and his valuable contributions to the global geoscientific community. This achievement brings immense pride to Dr. Harisingh Gour University, further bolstering its reputation for research excellence and academic prowess.

Distinguished Academic and Research Journey

Prof. Singh's illustrious career is adorned with numerous academic and research milestones. He completed his M.Sc. in Applied Geology from Kurukshetra University, Haryana. His doctoral research, supported by a University Research Scholarship (URS), focused on the petrogenesis and geodynamic evolution of anorogenic magmatism and its potential for rare-metal mineralization. During his PhD, he also held a Senior Research Fellowship from the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi.

Further enhancing his international standing, Prof. Singh was awarded the prestigious BOYSCAST Fellowship by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. This fellowship enabled him to pursue postdoctoral research at The Open University in Milton Keynes, England. His exceptional work in igneous petrology and geochemistry was further acknowledged with the highly coveted S. M. Naqvi Gold Medal - 2025 from the Geological Society of India, Bengaluru, recognizing his significant contributions to the nation.

Extensive Research and Global Impact

Prof. Singh has a prolific research output, having supervised a dozen Ph.D. students and mentored several postdoctoral fellows. He is the author of over a hundred research papers published in esteemed national and international journals, including Lithos, Gondwana Research, Precambrian Research, Geoscience Frontiers, Contribution to Mineralogy and Petrology, Geochemistry, International Geology Review, and Minerals. His research spans critical areas such as igneous petrology, geochemistry, geochronology, mineralization, and Himalayan tectonics.

His current research endeavors delve into the geodynamic evolution of continental and oceanic crust and the lithospheric mantle. Employing integrated methodologies involving whole-rock geochemistry, mineral chemistry, isotopic studies, and U-Pb geochronology, he investigates complex processes like continental collision, subduction, and obduction. This comprehensive approach allows for a deeper understanding of Earth's dynamic history.

Focus on Critical Elements and Mantle Processes

Furthermore, Prof. Singh's research extends to the geochemical characteristics of Ni-Cu-PGE in chromitites and mantle peridotites. He also investigates the mineralization of critical elements, including rare earth elements (REEs) and rare metals, within felsic, mafic, and mantle-derived ultramafic rock systems. His work sheds light on the physical and chemical conditions of the mantle during ophiolite formation in major suture zones, particularly in the Himalaya and the Indo-Myanmar Orogenic Belt of northeast India.

Earlier, his explorations included anorogenic magmatism, notably the Malani Igneous Suite in western Peninsular India, which is associated with the disruption of the Neoproterozoic Rodinia supercontinent. These diverse studies collectively contribute to a broader understanding of tectonic processes, mantle evolution, and the geodynamic history of the Indian Shield.

Leadership in Academia and Publishing

Beyond his significant research contributions, Prof. Singh plays a pivotal role in the international geoscientific publishing landscape. He serves as an Associate Editor of Wiley’s Geological Journal, actively contributing to the dissemination of high-quality geological research. His work has garnered substantial international recognition, evidenced by thousands of citations in leading peer-reviewed journals.

Prof. Singh's academic leadership is also demonstrated through his mentorship of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. He oversees analytical instrumentation facilities, serving as the Overall Lab In-Charge and Scientist-In-Charge for various advanced laboratories, including the ICP-MS, SEM, XRD, and XRF labs. Notably, he was instrumental in establishing the Geochronology Lab (LA-MC-ICPMS lab) in 2014 during his tenure at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun.

Currently, in his capacity as Head of the Department of Applied Geology, Deputy Proctor, Editor of Madhya Bharti: Journal of Science, and Chief Coordinator of the Admission Cell (2026-27) at Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Prof. Singh continues to make significant contributions to academic administration, institutional development, and the advancement of geoscience research.