Syed Mahmood Naqvi obtained his BSc and MSc (Geology) degrees from the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). He then joined the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad (1964), worked there as Scientist, and was Acting Director (2001). He carried out research to elucidate the processes of origin and evolution of Earth’s continental crust and on the Precambrian of Southern India. He was awarded PhD (1970) by AMU for his studies on the geology and geochemistry of the central part of the Chitradurga schist belt. Since retirement, he has been Emeritus Scientist and INSA Senior Scientist at NGRI.

Academic and Research Achievements:Naqvi has made notable contributions to our understanding of the Indian lithosphere, especially on evidence for horizontal plate convergence during the Archaean era description of the oldest supracrustals of the Dharwar craton elucidation of petrogenesis and geodynamics of the greenstones and tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG)-gneiss complexes of the Archaean Dharwar craton discovery of komatiites and high Mg lavas in 3.4 - 2.7 Ga old greenstone belt successions integration of plume-subduction processes to generate the spectrum of volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Dharwar craton and integrated exploration for gold, diamond and base metal deposits in India and abroad (Madagascar and Syria). He has authored about 200 research articles, authored/edited eight books, and guided about 35 PhD students. His scientific contributions established Precambrian geology of India on the international map that forms a part of the academic curriculum of many universities around the world.

Other Contributions:Naqvi established the School of Geochemistry at NGRI and developed the Geochemistry Laboratory with state-of-the-art analytical facilities. He also served as Member of the International Committee on Proterozoic Geochemistry and Council Member of the Geological Society of India. He was elected Vice President of the Geological Mining and Metallurgical Society of India, Indian Society of Applied Geochemists, and Geological Society of India (Secretary also). He was elected Fellow of the Geological Society of India and many other earth science organizations in India.

Awards and Honours: Dr Naqvi was awarded Gold Medal by the Geological Society of India (1978), SS Bhatnagar Award (1983), APCOST Award (1986), National Mineral Award (1991), Amroha Gaurav (1994), Decennial Award of the Indian Geophysical Union (2001), Excellence Award from Friendship Forum of India (2005), Role of Honour and Excellence from Bundelkhand University (2005), and National Mineral Award for Excellence (2006).