HYDERABAD, AUGUST 07, 2026: Dr B. Nirmala, Principal Scientist at ICAR-NAARM, has been selected as a member of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), in recognition of her outstanding contributions to agricultural and plant sciences. Founded in 1930, NASI is India’s oldest science academy, dedicated to the promotion of science and technology and to providing a national forum for scientific exchange and dissemination of research. Supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, NASI also undertakes scientific discussions, publications, and science–society initiatives.
Dr. Nirmala, belongs to the 2007 Agricultural Research Service (ARS) batch and previously served at ICAR–Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad. She has led 15 research projects and undertaken extensive field research across major rice-growing regions of India. Her scholarly contributions include 88 research papers in peer-reviewed journals, 23 technical articles, 14 books, 33 book chapters, seven technical bulletins, and 22 training manuals. As Principal Investigator of technology dissemination programmes, she coordinated 12,468 frontline demonstrations across the country, promoting the adoption of improved technologies and helping farmers reduce cultivation costs. She has also organised 65 training programmes and guided 14 postgraduate and three doctoral students. Dr. Nirmala has received several Honours, including the Dr R. T. Doshi Award for Best Research Paper, the Young Scientist Award from the Society of Extension Education, and Fellow/Associate Fellow recognition from the Telangana Academy of Sciences. She is also a Fellow of the Mobilisation Society.
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