Amar Chand Joshi obtained his DSc degree (1937) from the Panjab University, Lahore (now in Pakistan). His specialization was in botany (classical). He was the Professor of Botany, Government College; Director, Botany Laboratory, Punjab University (Lahore); Professor of Botany, Government College, Hoshiarpur (1947); Principal, Government Training College for Teachers, Jalandhar (1951); Director, Public Instruction and Secretary, Government of Punjab (1953-57); Honorary Vice-Chancellor, Kurukshetra University (1956-59); Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh (1957-65); Educational Adviser, Planning Commission, New Delhi (1965); and Vice-Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.

Academic and Research Achievements: Joshi did significant work on the anatomy and embryology of flowering plants, morphology of flower, cytology and systematics. His work on the classical carpel and anomalous secondary growth is notable.

Other Contributions: Joshi was a Member of University Grants Commission (1960- 1965); Central Advisory Board of Education; Advisory Board of ICAR; National Council of Science Education; National Planning Council, etc. Joshi's contributions to the improvement of school science education deserve special mention. He was largely responsible for organizing All Indian Science Teachers' Association (1956) and was its President; Chairman, Science Committee, All-India Council of Secondary Education; Indian delegate to UNESCO Conference (Bangkok, 1956) to consider problems of science teaching in South-East Asian countries; Chairman, Science Committee, World Confederation of Organizations of Teaching Professors (1963-64). A prolific writer on educational and cultural subjects, he was Editor of a number of scientific and educational periodicals.

Awards and Honours: Joshi was a Fellow of National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad; President, Indian Botanical Society (1948, 1956). He was President, Indian Science Congress (1969) and Vice-President INSA (1963-64).