Ranjan Roy Daniel earned his PhD (1953) from Bristol University. His areas of specialization were cosmic ray physics and infrared astronomy. Daniel served as the Dean, School of Physics and Senior Professor at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay.

Academic and Research Achievements: Daniel made pioneering contributions in high-energy physics and strange particles (1947-60) and multiply charged primary cosmic rays using nuclear emulsions exposed in stratospheric balloons (1951-65). He discovered high-energy electrons in primary cosmic rays (1963-65). He is credited with the first studies of energy spectrum of high-energy cosmic ray electrons, as also extensive studies of pioneering nature on cosmic-ray astrophysics connecting cosmic ray electrons and cosmic radio emission, and far-infrared studies of planets, star-forming regions, and the like, using balloon-born devices.

Other Contributions: He served as Scientific Secretary on the Committee on Science and Technology in Developing Countries (COSTED), Madras from 1988 to 2005. He was elected as the Chairman of ISRO’s National Committee on Middle Atmosphere Research (1989) as well as the Chairman of ISRO’s Advisory Committee on Space Sciences (1981-88). He was a Member, COSPAR Bureau, and Chairman, COSPAR Panel on Space Research in Developing Countries (1984-92) and Chairman, MST Radar Project, and IMAP and IMAP-C Programmes. In addition to being appointed as the Chairman of Department of Ocean Development’s Steering Committee for Ocean Modelling and Coastal Ocean, Ranjan Roy Daniel was a Member of DOD’s National Coordination Committee on Coastal Zones and Islands.

Awards and Honours: Daniel was a recipient of the Sir C VRaman Award (UGC) and the INSA Vainu Bappu Memorial Award (1992). He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1992. He was a Fellow at National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad, Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore and the Maharashtra Academy of Sciences. Daniel also served as a Member of the INSA Council from 1979 to 1981 and as the Vice-President of INSA from 1985 to 1986.