The Directorate of Research is headed by the Director of Research who is assisted by 4 Additional Directors of Research in the areas of Crop Improvement; Natural Resource and Plant Health Management, Horticulture and Food Science, Farm Machanization and Bioenergy; Associate Director of Research, Director Seeds apart from Directors/Incharges of the Research Stations/Seed Farms.
Keeping in view the existing and emerging problems in agriculture so as to find out their viable solutions, PAU carries out research in agriculture and allied disciplines including basic sciences and humanities, farm engineering and home science.
Name : Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt
Address : Director of Research
Phone : 0161 2401960, Ext. 216
E-Mail : drpau@pau.edu
Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt is a distinguished expert in Vegetable Science, with an extensive career at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. A recipient of the university merit scholarship and an accomplished athlete, he began his professional journey at PAU as an Assistant Seed Production Specialist in 1992. He progressed to the position of Vegetable Breeder in 2001, Senior Vegetable Breeder in 2009, and later headed the Department of Vegetable Science in 2015. His leadership roles continued as Additional Director of Research (Horticulture and Food Science) in 2019 and Director of Research in 2023.
The remarkable work of Dr. Dhatt in vegetable breeding has resulted in the development and release of 28 new varieties and hybrids, with 11 gained national identification under All India Coordinated Research Project. His pioneer contributions include development of alloplasmic male sterile lines in onion and brinjal; virus-resistant and hull-less seeded varieties in pumpkin; parthenocarpic, bacterial wilt and nematode resistant lines in brinjal and a new salad crop variety ‘Punjab Tarwanga-1’. Additionally, he has created and standardized 32 production technologies and machines for vegetable cultivation, initiated potato breeding program, and established a memorandum of agreement (MoA) process to improve the visibility of university-developed varieties and hybrids.
As a Principal Investigator, Dr. Dhatt has led 20 research projects funded by prestigious institutions including ICAR, DBT, DST, CSIR, SRTT, and various state organizations. His prolific output includes 331 research, teaching, and extension articles in renowned international and national journals, bulletins, and magazines. As a mentor, Dr. Dhatt has guided 31 M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, many of whom have won distinguished awards such as the ICAR-Jawahar Lal Nehru Award, the IAHS-Dr. BR Barwale Award, the IAUA-Horticulture Science Award, and the ISVS-Dawarika Das Memorial Best Ph.D. Thesis Awards. Additionally, his students have secured highly competitive fellowships including the DST-Prime Minister Fellowship, ICAR-International Fellowship, and DST-INSPIRE Fellowship.
Dr. Dhatt’s expertise extends internationally, having served as a Visiting Research Scientist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA and visiting The Netherlands, Japan, Turkey, China and Israel. His remarkable vegetable breeding work has garnered numerous national accolades including the Dr. Kirti Singh Life Time Achievement Award, Dr. Biswajit Memorial Award, NHRDF Award, Dr. Kirti Singh Gold Medal, Dr. Harbhajan Singh Medal, and other honours. PAU has recognized his achievements with the Best Researcher Award, Sh. Hans Raj Pahwa Award, Smt. Harpal Kaur Memorial Awards and many appreciation certificates. He has also secured Best Centre Awards for PAU from AICRP (Vegetable Crops) and AINRP (Onion and Garlic) as Principal Investigator. Dr. Dhatt is also a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Indian Academy of Horticultural Sciences, and the Indian Society of Vegetable Science.
Name : Dr Gurjit Singh Mangat
Designation : Additional Director of Research (Agriculture)
Phone : 0161 2407309/Extn. 341
Mobile : 09814516464
E-Mail : adr_ci@pau.edu
Born at village Rampur in district Ludhiana Gurjit Singh Mangat obtained his B Sc. (Honors), M Sc. and Ph D in Plant Breeding from the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. He started his professional career as an Assistant Breeder (Rice) at PAU Regional Rice Research Station, Kapurthala in 1991 and was promoted as Rice Breeder in 2000 and as Senior Rice Breeder during August, 2008. Dr G S Mangat has more than 25 years of experience in Rice Breeding and played a vital role in the development/release of 29 varieties of rice. Short duration, low biomass cultivars developed by his team are being cultivated on 70 percent of the non-Basmati area in the Punjab state and are also popular in the adjoining states. These have contributed significantly to saving of ground water and facilitating paddy straw management, besides having better milling quality and durable resistance via gene pyramiding. As a result, Punjab and Haryana have set new records in rice production and productivity. He has successfully completed 10 adhoc projects and presently handling four multi institutional projects and guided four postgraduate students. He has published 44 research papers in the journals of international and national repute and 38 popular articles. Besides, attended six international and 36 national conferences/seminars/workshops. He has visited USA, Australia, Philippines, China, Indonesia and Thailand. He has been serving PAU at various positions as Head, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, (November, 2017 – March, 2021), Incharge, Rice Section, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics. He is recipient of Jawahar Lal Nehru Award for doctoral research and ICAR Team Award for development of rice variety ‘Basmati 386’.
Name : Dr. Mahesh Kumar
Designation : Additional Director of Research (Agricultural Engineering)
Mobile : 94786-40539
E-Mail : adr-fme@pau.edu
Born at village Dullo (near Alamgir) in district Ludhiana, Dr Mahesh Kumar earned his B Tech (AE), MTech (SE) and PhD in Processing and Agricultural Structures from the Department of Processing and Food Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. He started his professional career as an Assistant Professor in 1995 and promoted to Associate professor in 2004 and as professor during April 2010. Dr Mahesh Kumar has more than 25 years of experience in the field of food processing. He has served in cooperative sugar mill as Assistant Engineer. He has also served at PHPTC for a long period of more than 10 years. Dr Mahesh Kumar has guided about 15 M Tech and Four PhD students. All his PhD students are serving as faculty in University at PAU and Uttrakahnd. He developed PAU Portable Maize Dryer and got patent for the same. Similarly his technology of Magnetic field assisted freezing has also been granted patent. He has successfully executed 16 externally funded adhoc projects with International, national and state agencies worth Rs 366 lakhs and supported Cooperative societies at Talwara and Lambra Kangri with Agro-processing center, FAPRO and women SHG with Modern Jaggery units. During his tenure as head of Department, he initiated revolving fund scheme to process wheat to flour, Basmati Paddy to Rice, Turmeric powder, Canola oil, Basen & Pulses etc and played pivotal role in establishment of PAU Agro Processing Center and modern jaggery unit at the campus. Similarly he designed the layout of the common incubation center at KVK Patiala and the various processing lines being installed there as mentor. He is also associated with Prime Minister Formalization of Food Processing Enterprises scheme in the state of Punjab. He has revived the processing of jaggery in the state and provided training to majority of jaggery producers to produce quality jaggery through use of quality control gadgets. He also revived the Food Industry and Craft Mela at PAU Campus with full financial support of food Industry and Concerned agencies. He also set up secretariat of FOODSCAN at PAU with participation from Monash University, Australia and University of Lincoln, UK. He has published 51 research papers in refereed Journals of International and National repute and 67 popular articles. He has participated in training programs and technical meetings in Thailand, USA (North Dakota State University), and the UK (Birmingham), gaining exposure to emerging technologies such as image processing for agricultural produce characterization. He is a member of State level approval committee for financial support to the Agro/Food ProcessingEnterprises in the state.
Name: Dr Deepika Vig
Address: Professor and Coordinator Research
Phone: 9878614775 E mail: vigdeepika@pau.edu
Research Areas: Developmental and Social Psychology
Researcher ID: Web of Science JNT-4054-2023, ORCID ID: 0009-0001-6476-1074
Google scholar link: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=F12NHKsAAAAJ&hl=en
Research gate link: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Deepika-Vig
Vidwaan ID: 51035
Dr. Deepika Vig is presently working as Professor, Department of Human Development & Family Studies, College of Community Science, PAU, Ludhiana. She was the Head of the Department of Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS), PAU from 2019-23 and had additional charge of Department of Resource Management & Consumer Science (RMCS) from 2020-23. She has handled 6 competitive research projects and has guided 12 M.Sc. as well as and 5 Ph.D. students. She has been instrumental in initiating 2 one year certificate courses, one of each in the Department of HDFS and RMCS started from Sem I, 2024-25. As a member of State Early Childhood Care & Education Council, Directorate of Social Security, Women & Child Development, Government of Punjab, she contributed in finalization of State Early Childhood Care & Education Policy. She was also involved in framing of course curricula for HDFS Component for all State Agricultural Universities, as a member of national core group committee constituted by ICAR for implementation of National Education Policy 2020. She has assisted in development of national level percentile growth charts as well as physical and psycho-social profile for birth to 18 years old rural children of Punjab under All India Coordinated Research Project in Child Development. She was involved in establishment of Laboratory Day Care Centre in the department (2000) of HDFS and is, currently incharge of its infrastructural extension under Utilization of Capital Grant of 40 Crore granted by the Government of Punjab. She has assisted in establishment of ‘Technology Resource Centre’ in the village Sudhar (Under AICRP) to provide drudgery reducing technologies and tools to the farm women. Her publications include 5 text books, 116 research papers, 15 book chapters, 35 research bulletins and 16 popular articles. She has been awarded 5 best paper presentation awards at national conferences. Her research focuses on intervention studies for framing of educational and remedial strategies for early identification and management of children with academic skill disorders. In 2019, her research contributions in the field of special education were acknowledged during National Conference on ‘Education of Persons with Disabilities: Reality, Reflection and Reforms’ organized by Chandigarh College of Education, Mohali and she was conferred with Excellence in Education Award for ‘Research Work in the field of Education’. She is currently associated with ICSSR sponsored research project on ‘Impact of screen timing on nutritional status and psychological distress among school children: A digital detox model’. As the Coordinator, Placement Cell, she was involved in organization of ‘Rozgar Mela &‘Employment Mela to promote placements of college students. She has been actively involved in ensuring gender neutral environment and female safety in the campus as a member of Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) to examine Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place, at PAU and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana. She is Chairman of the Committee for Adherence to Gender Equity. She is also contributing as a member of the committee for upgradation of Mohinder Singh Randhawa Library, PAU and Convener of the ‘Creative Content Team’ constituted for restructuring of PAU Website. She received award of Honour by the University on the eve of International Women’s Day celebrated on 8th March, 2025. She has organised 12 workshops, 25 trainings and has delivered 129 expert lectures and has been involved in field outreach activities for anganwadi workers; early childhood education trainers; rural mothers; adolescents and extension staff of the state agriculture & allied departments.
Name : Dr Neena Singla
Address : Coordinator Research (Basic Sciences & Humanities)
Phone No(s) : 0161 2401960/382 Ext
E-mail : neenasingla@pau.edu
Dr. Neena Singla, a distinguished scientist and academic leader, assumed the position of Coordinator of Research (Basic Sciences & Humanities) on May 21, 2025. With over 25 years of experience, she is internationally acclaimed for her pioneering work in rodents and higher vertebrate pest management, contributing significantly to research, teaching, extension, and administration. A Ph.D. alumna of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, Dr. Singla served as Head, Department of Zoology (2019-2023) at PAU, Ludhiana, and was on PAU’s Academic Council in 2023. Since 2009, she has led the All India Network Project on Vertebrate Pest Management (Rodent Control).
As Principal Zoologist (Rodents), she has directed multiple national projects and published over 135 research papers and review articles, including more than 45 in top international journals with high impact alongside book chapters, monographs, and technical bulletins. Her research has led to several recommendations included in PAU’s Package of Practices, benefitting farmers. Her current research priorities include the development and testing of novel rodenticidal molecules, safe fertility control formulations, and genomic identification of rodent species. A dedicated teacher and mentor, Dr. Singla has guided 36 postgraduate and doctoral students, many of whom have received prestigious awards and key positions in academia and research.
Passionately committed to farmer outreach and knowledge dissemination, she has conducted over 60 training programs, published 76 extension articles, delivered 35+ media talks, and presented more than 170 expert lectures. Internationally, she has represented India at conferences in Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, China, Germany, Tanzania, and Thailand. Her major accolades include 10 best presentation awards, the Young Scientist Award, and the Dr. M.S. Randhawa Medal. She also serves on editorial boards for several reputed journals. Dr. Neena Singla continues to influence agricultural science and innovations at both national and global levels.
Name : Dr. Gaurav Kumar Taggar
Designation : Associate Director of Research
Phone : +91 9814422183
E-mail : gauravtaggar@pau.edu; ddrpau@pau.edu
Research areas: Host-plant and Insect Interactions, Economic Entomology, Legume Entomology
Researcher Ids: Google Scholar https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=R07I-KwAAAAJ&hl=en
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gaurav-Taggar?ev=hdr_xprf
ORCID: 0000-0003-1477-2768
Web of Science Researcher ID: JOK-5125-2023
Dr. Gaurav Kumar Taggar joined Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) as Assistant Professor in December 2002. He obtained his B.Sc. Agriculture (Hons.) in Plant Protection (1999), M.Sc. Entomology (2002), and Ph.D. Entomology (2011) degrees from PAU, earning three Gold Medals during his academic career. His research focuses on host plant resistance to major insect pests of pulses, providing insights into plant–herbivore interactions and their application in integrated pest management. He developed a germplasm screening technique against whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), widely adopted under AICRP programmes, and identified the first moderately resistant pigeonpea genetic stock registered with ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi. Dr. Taggar has led or participated in 23 research projects, contributed to the testing and release of 48 crop varieties/hybrids, and formulated 32 technological recommendations for insect pest management of pulses. His scholarly contributions include over 78 peer-reviewed research papers, 7 book chapters, 2 teaching manuals, 5 compendium articles, three research and one extension bulletins, 56 abstracts, and 31 popular articles. He has also acted as the PI (Entomology), AICRP on Kharif Pulses at National level. He was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Georgia, USA (2020), and serves on editorial boards of several journals. A recipient of College Colour in Table Tennis, Dr Taggar has also been engaged in the overall mentoring of students and cultivating career knowledge for achieving academic excellence in higher education.
Professional Accomplishments
Research Projects completed
Research Publications
Awards and Recognitions
Name : Dr. Balkaran Singh Gill
Designation : Deputy Director (Farm)
Phone : 81469-00244 E-
Mail : director_farm@pau.edu
Name : Dr. Rajinder Singh
Designation : Coordinator (S&PM)
Phone : 0161-2400898 ,0161-2401960-79 Ext.243 Fax 0161-2400898/2400945
Mobile : +9194649-92257
E-Mail : directorseeds@pau.edu
Born on July 9, 1973, Dr Rajinder Singh obtained his M Sc. and Ph.D in Vegetable Science from Punjab Agricultural University in 1998 and 2001 respectively. He was merit scholarship/fellowship holder during B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. Dr Rajinder started his service with university on 24.12.2002 as District Extension Specialist (Vegetables) at FASS, Gurdaspur and promoted to Scientist (Vegetable Seeds) at PAU, Ludhiana in 2009 and elevated to the position of Principal Scientist (Vegetable Seeds) in 2015. He has vast experience of 18 years in the field of vegetable research, teaching and seed production. He has been associated in development of three varieties in Methi, Radish and Broccoli and 17 production technology recommendations in the field of seed technology like improvement of seed germination, seed dormancy, physiological seed maturity and seed production. The vegetable seed production was increased significantly and large scale production and distribution of vegetable kits in the new look of summer and winter season was initiated during this period. Production of virus free potato and turmeric was also started on a large scale. He was instrumental in developing the single window system in supply of seed of all crops without any hassle. The new look of packing material for vegetables and for wheat was initiated.
Dr. Rajinder has successfully handled two research projects (funded by UGC and NABARD) and 7 sponsored projects (funded by NHM). During this period four International trainings for Afghan delegates were organized on various aspects of seed production and quality testing. He has guided 9 M Sc. students and one Ph.D students in the discipline of Vegetable Science. He has published 27 research publications, 20 Extension articles, 28 bulletins and 3 booklets in various National and International journals, magazines and conferences. In his service tenure at PAU, Dr. Rajinder Singh has extensive teaching experience including UG and PG courses.
Name: Dr. Amandeep Singh Brar
Designation: Director (Seeds)
Phone: +918146500942
E-mail: directorseeds@pau.edu
Research Areas: Seed Production, Crop Production
Researcher IDs:
Google scholar: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?hl=en&user=nDPEHiMAAAAJ
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amandeep-Brar-3?ev=hdr_xprf
ORCID: 0000-0001-9888-8869
Dr Amandeep Singh Brar completed his B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture and M.Sc. Agronomy from Khalsa College, Amritsar, and pursued his Ph.D. in Agronomy from PAU, Ludhiana. His academic excellence has been recognized with University Gold Medal, Merit Scholarships, and the Academic Role of Honour during his postgraduate studies. His professional journey began in 2008 as Assistant Professor (Agronomy) at PAU-KVK, Faridkot. In 2011, he joined the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PAU, Ludhiana, later transitioning to the Department of Agronomy in 2012. In 2017, he was selected as Deputy Director (Training) at PAU-KVK, Moga, and in 2020, he was promoted to Associate Director (Training), serving in KVKs for over seven and a half years.
Dr. Brar’s contributions to agricultural research and extension have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the best Krishi Vigyan Kendra Award (Zone-I, 2010)- ICAR, Nanaji Deshmukh Award (2019)-ICAR for interdisciplinary team research, Performance Excellence Award (2023-24)-ICAR for NICRA Project, Farm Literature Popularization Award (2022-23)-PAU, Best Presentation Awards (three times)-ICAR Annual Zonal Workshop, Appreciation Certificate from PAU Vice Chancellor (2019). Additionally, he has received multiple appreciation letters from ICAR-ATARI Zone-I, PAU-KVK, and PAU leadership. Under his guidance, farmers and farm women have secured six awards at PAU Kisan Melas and six national awards from ICAR and IARI.
Dr. Brar has been instrumental in developing and testing 29 technologies/varieties that have been included in PAU’s Package of Practices for rabi and kharif crops. He has handled 7 competitive research projects and 10 other funded projects as Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PI.
His academic contributions include teaching eight undergraduate and postgraduate courses, mentoring three M.Sc. students, and serving as an external examiner over 40 times. He has authored over 200 publications, including research papers, book chapters, extension articles, and manuals.
Dr. Brar has played a pivotal role in organizing 14 Kisan Melas at KVKs, conducting adaptive research trials (222), on-farm trials (110), and farmer training sessions (131). He has delivered over 100 invited lectures, organized 86 field days, and 82 field surveys. His active involvement in campaigns for crop residue management, water conservation, and short-duration paddy varieties has significantly contributed to sustainable agriculture.
With 16 years of hands-on experience in seed production and sales, Dr. Brar has successfully produced and marketed large quantities of PAU-recommended seed varieties, ensuring quality and availability for farmers.
