Har Swarup obtained his PhD (1953) from the University of Saugor and DPhil (1957) from the University of Oxford, UK. His specialization was in experimental embryology. He was Professor of Zoology, DAV Government College, Kanpur (1946), and Saugor University, Sagar (1946-59); Professor, Government College, Naini Tal (1959-60); Professor, Vikram University, Ujjain (1961-81) and Vice-Chancellor of Jiwaji University, Gwalior

Academic and Research Achievements: Har Swarup focused his attention from descriptive to experimental, and from experimental to molecular biology. His researches in molecular embryology, RNA, DNA, and mitochondria in oogenesis and embryogenesis led him to the discovery of ‘ringed polysome figures’ and marked alternations in the energy-yielding processes of egg during differentiation. His work in limnology, fish growth and metabolism considerably helped develop fisheries, especially aqua-culture, in India.

Other Contributions: Swarup established an active School of Ichthyology at Vikram University and was a Member as well as President (1979-80) of Indian Society of Ichthyologist (1979-80).

Awards and Honours: Dr Swarup was a Fellow of National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad, Zoological Society of India and Academy of Zoology of India. He was President, Zoology and Entomology Section of Indian Science Congress (1970).

The Indian National Science Academy has instituted the ‘Professor Har Swarup Memorial Lecture’ in his honour.