Rajnath obtained PhD (1930) from University of London, UK. He remained Professor and Head, Department of Geology (1936-60) and Principal (1960-67), College of Science; and UGC Professor (1968-70), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.

Academic and Research Achievements: Rajnath’s studies, besides palaeontology and stratigraphy, spread over structural geology, petrology, economic geology (including industrial aspects), engineering geology and hydrogeology. His work on the Jurassic rocks of Kutch is a significant contribution to the geology of India. He postulated the existence of Pleistocene beds in the form of at least two big anticlines beneath the Indo-Gangetic alluvium, which run parallel to, and on the south of the Himalayas. Conical ring structures in Fawn limestone in Mirzapur district, according to him, are of inorganic origin. To counter floods in major north Indian rivers, he suggested many measures, one of them being the construction of a trans-Deccan canal joining the Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Kutch, to serve as an exit for water of flooded rivers. He worked out the geology of the occurrence of Shilajit, a well-known Ayurvedic tonic. White sandstone of Krol formation in Bilaspur state, he found, was a useful material for the manufacture of glass.

Other Contributions: Rajnath’s role in the promotion of geological education and industrial development of the country was noteworthy. He served on the Editorial Board of Journal of Ayurveda.

Awards and Honours: Professor Rajnath was President, Geology Section, Indian Science Congress (1942). He was also Founder President, Palaeontological Society of India; and Fellow, Geological Society of London.