Baldev Singh Dhillon

Baldev Singh Dhillon
Born27 June 1947
EducationPh.D. in Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
Alma mater
Known forScientific breakthroughs in plant breeding
Awards
  • DAAD Post-Doc. Fellowship.
  • Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Post-Doc. Fellowship.
  • University of Hohenheim Post-Doc. Fellowship.
  • Fellow: Indian National Science Academy (FNA).
  • Fellow: National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India (FNAAS).).
  • Fellow: National Academy of Sciences of India (FNASc).
  • NAAS Dr B.P. Pal Memorial Prize.
  • Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Memorial Prize of ICAR.
  • Om Prakash Bhasin Award.
Scientific career
FieldsAgricultural science (genetics)
Institutions

Baldev Singh Dhillon (born 27 June 1947) is an Indian agricultural scientist. He is known for his contributions to plant breeding, genetics, and plant genetic resources, particularly in maize breeding. Currently, he is vice president of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) since January 2025. Previously he served as vice-chancellor of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) from July 2011 to June 2021, leading the institution to notable recognition, including being ranked 2nd by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 2017.

Dhillon has held multiple roles such as assistant director general at ICAR, director of the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), and director of research at PAU and Guru Nanak Dev University. His international experience includes research positions at the University of Hohenheim, Germany, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico, and the University of Birmingham, UK. Dhillon is fellow of National Academy of Sciences, India and Indian National Science Academy. Dhillon was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2019, Dhillon has published over 350 research papers and received multiple awards, including the Om Prakash Bhasin Award and the Dr. NL Dhawan Lifetime Achievement Award, for his contributions to agricultural science.