Samarendra Nath Sarkar received PhD (1948) from University of Edinburgh, UK. He worked as Geologist, Geological Survey of India (1949-52); Geologist, Assistant Professor of Geology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (1952-61); Senior Professor and Head, Applied Geology Department (1961-80); Director/Vice-Chancellor, Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad (1969-72); and also Visiting Professor, Moscow, Leningrad and Kiev Universities (1973).

Academic and Research Achievements: Professor Sarkar was deeply interested in Precambrian stratigraphy, tectonics and geochronology. He investigated the stratigraphy, structure, petromineralogy, and geochronology of the Precambrian of: (i) Bhandara Drup-Balaghat district of over 6000 sq. km area covering Sansar, Sakoli-Dongargarh belts (900 Ma-2500 Ma old samples); (ii) Singhbhum-Keonjhar, Sundergarh region covering 10,000 sq. km (900-3800 Ma old rocks); (iii) crystalline nappe zone in Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas, Nainital and Ranikhet-Almora-Baijnath-Lansdowne; and (iv) structural control of copper ore deposits, isotope geology, fluid inclusions, trend surface analysis, electron miroprobe work, and isotope studies for genesis. As a result of his findings, many textbooks on stratigraphy had to be modified . He authored two books: Precambrian Stratigraphy and Geochronology of Peninsular India (1968) and Geology and Geochemistry of Sulphide Ore Bodies and Associated Rocks in Mosaboni-Rakha Mines Sections in the Singhbhum Copper Belt (ISM Diamond Jubilee Monograph).

Other Contributions:Sarkar was India’s representative for Subcommission on Precambrian Stratigraphy of International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) (1966-91); Member, Subcommission on Oldest Rocks of the World (1986- ) and also INSA Council (1976-78).

Awards and Honours: Professor Sarkar won the First National Mineral Award (1969); Holland Memorial Medal (1984-85); and PN Bose Memorial Gold Medal (1982). He was also elected Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore.