Professor Alok Kumar Singh is a distinguished academic and research leader at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT), Jais, Amethi, where he serves as a Professor in the Department of Petroleum Engineering and Geo-Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Geology from the Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), with a specialization in Coal Geology and Organic Petrology. His academic trajectory includes a prestigious post-doctoral fellowship from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), focusing on the characterization and utilization of Indian coals.
Prior to joining RGIPT in 2010, Professor Singh gained over eight years of industrial R&D experience as a Senior Scientist in the Research and Development Division of Tata Steel Ltd. His transition from industry to academia was marked by a strong commitment to bridging practical field applications with academic pedagogy and research innovation.
At RGIPT, Professor Singh has been instrumental in curriculum development and has taught a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including Sedimentology, Structural Geology, Petroleum Geology, Unconventional Hydrocarbon Resources, Organic Petrology, and Basin Analysis. His pedagogical contributions have significantly enriched the institute's academic framework.
His research interests are rooted in Coal and Organic Petrology, Geochemistry, and Hydrocarbon Source Rock Evaluation. A leading expert in his domain, Professor Singh has supervised several Ph.D. scholars and authored numerous high-impact publications in national and international journals. His work is widely cited and has contributed substantially to the scientific understanding of coal-based energy resources. He is a full member of the International Committee for Coal and Organic Petrology (ICCP) and is recognized as one of India's foremost coal and organic petrologists.
Professor Singh's contributions have earned him several prestigious accolades, including the Young Scientist Award from the Indian Science Congress Association, the Khare Award from the Indian Institute of Mineral Engineers, the Subrato Ghosh Coal Petrology Award from the Mining, Geological, and Metallurgical Institute of India (MGMI) and H S Pareek Award from Geological Society of India.
His affiliations with professional bodies such as the Geological Society of India and ICCP reflect his active engagement with the global scientific community.
In addition to his academic and research accomplishments, Professor Singh has held several key administrative positions at RGIPT. These include- Officiating Director (July 2024 – April 2025), Dean of Non-Teaching Staff and Administration, Dean of Student Affairs, Head of the Department of Petroleum Engineering, and Chief Warden of RGIPT Hostels. In each of these roles, he has demonstrated visionary leadership and a strategic approach to institutional growth, faculty development, and student welfare.
Professor Singh is deeply committed to interdisciplinary research, sustainable energy education, and industry-academia collaboration. He consistently promotes innovation in teaching methodologies, research excellence, and environmentally responsible exploration practices. His unique blend of industrial insight, academic rigor, and administrative leadership makes him a vital contributor to India's evolving energy education and research landscape.