Kailash Bansal's Biography

Kailash Bansal, Director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources

Prof. K C Bansal obtained his Ph.D. with Gold Medal from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi in 1988. Starting his career as Scientist S1, Prof. Bansal worked at different ICAR institutes and joined the current position as Director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), ICAR, New Delhi in 2010. Before joining NBPGR, Prof. Bansal served as Professor of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, IARI, New Delhi.

His research interests include cloning of abiotic stress-related genes and promoters, and use of biological resources for crop improvement using different biotechnological approaches.

Prof. Bansal has over 100 publications. He is a recipient of several national and international awards and honours. He was awarded the Overseas Research Associateship by the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India in 1990 to work at Harvard University, and the prestigious Rockefeller Biotechnology Career Fellowship in 1996 to work at Rutgers University, USA. He is a recipient of Professor Hira Lal Chakarvarty award of the Indian Science Congress Association, conferred on him by the Hon’ble PM of India. He has been honoured with the Hari Krishna Shastri award by IARI and Rafi Ahmad Kidwai award by the ICAR.

Prof. Bansal was elected as Vice-Chair from Asia for the 15th Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations.

Prof. Bansal is Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) and the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), and recipient of Recognition Award of the NAAS.