Having gained fifteen years of experience in Mining Hydrogeology, I focus on delivering high‑quality mine water research within the framework of environmental legacy of mining, protection strategies, and circular economy principles. My core work centers on:

• Understanding groundwater movement through the subsurface and its interactions with ore bodies and minerals.
• Predicting mine inflows into pit areas and designing advance/passive dewatering strategies for open-pit and underground mines.
• Employing numerical modelling, analytical methods, laboratory studies, and field experiments as part of broader remediation strategies to mitigate mining‑induced impacts on groundwater regimes.
• I hold keen interests in the Source-Pathway-Receptor (SPR) Evaluation Framework for impact assessment; hydrogeochemistry and low-temperature geochemistry of fluoride (F⁻); and Medical Geology, linking geological processes to human health.

Current Research Interests

• I plan to work on aquifer mapping and numerical modelling of groundwater flow in porous and fractured aquifer systems.
• Groundwater flow prediction and seepage analysis into mine workings, including impact assessments.
• Hydrogeological investigations of “Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)” projects, with international collaborations.
• ESID Framework: Integrated hydrogeological/hydrological studies for sustainable water resource management.
• Water–Energy Nexus: Identifying REEs and critical minerals from “mine pool water”, produced water, tailing water, and ash dyke water.
• REE Recovery Potential from coal and allied materials (coal, overburden, interburden, bottom ash, fly ash) and exploration of “beach placers” as alternative REE sources.

• PhD Applied Geology / Mine Hydrogeology, 2018
  IIT (ISM), Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India.
• MSc Tech  Applied Geology, 2011
  IIT (ISM), Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India.
• BSc Geology, 2008
  Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.

• Assistant Professor, January 2026 –
  Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
• In-charge of the Hydrogeology Division, QCI – NABET PC (GWCO)  and Manager (Geology) Sept 2022 – Jan 2026
  Coal India Ltd, Nagpur [A Maharatna PSU Company of Govt. of India (U/T)]
• Deputy Manager (Geology)  Aug 2017 – Sept 2022
  Coal India Ltd, Bilaspur [A Maharatna PSU Company of Govt. of India (U/T)]
• Assistant Manager (Geology)  Aug 2012 – Aug 2017
  Coal India Ltd, Bilaspur [A Maharatna PSU Company of Govt. of India (U/T)]
• Management Trainee, Aug 2011 – Aug 2012
  Coal India Ltd, Bilaspur [A Maharatna PSU Company of Govt. of India (U/T)]

Course delivered: Practical Applications of Basic Hydrogeology and Mining Hydrogeology

• Guest Faculty at RGI, CGWB, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Member of Board of Studies (BoS), Central University of Punjab.
• Resource Person at CPU, Punjab University and NIT, Rourkela.

Industry training experience

• Imparted training to the PSU employs of WCL, CMPDIL, SECL etc.

• Young Scientist Award, 2023 (Indian National Chapter of International Association of Hydrogeologists).
• Special Achievement Award 2023, CMPDIL, Ranchi, India.
• InSc Young Achiever Award, 2020.
• Innovation Award 2019, CMPDIL, Ranchi, India.
• CMPDIL Award of Appreciation (2019), presented by the Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Government of India.
• Bagged 1^st and 2^nd rank in All‑India M.Sc. (Geology) entrance exams (2008) at Osmania and Andhra Universities, secured 21^st and 40^th ranks in All‑India M.Sc. Tech (Applied Geology) entrance exams (2008) at ISM Dhanbad and BHU Varanasi.
• Topper in B.Sc. (G.P.C) at Hindu College, Acharya Nagarjuna University (2005–2008).

List of Research Publications (only in Peer-reviewed Journals): 25 Nos

1. Kumar N, Tiwari MK, Singh R*, Singha S, Singha SS, Singh AK, Prasad Babu K (2025) Application of multiple indexical methods in appraising PTEs distribution in the coal mining area of the Mahan River command area, Central India. Geochemical Transactions. DOI:1186/s12932-025-00098-y. (Impact Factor (IF): 0.90)
2. Kausher, R., Singh, R*., Sinha, A.K., (2024). Hydrological modeling and simulation of water balance components using the SWAT model in the coal mining province of the Mahan River catchment, Central India. Environ Earth Sci 83, 185 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-024-11472-x. (Impact Factor (IF):80)
3. Singh, R*., Rao, N.S., Narayan, I.D. et al (2023). Application of 3D numerical simulations to forecast mine seepage and groundwater flow conditions with respect to progressive coal mining activity. Environ Dev Sustain. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03556-8. (Impact Factor (IF): 70)
4. Kausher, R., Singh, R^*.; Sinha, A.K.; Sethy, S.N.; Kumar, S.; Pandey, S.; Ragab, A.E.; Mohamed, A (2023). Assessing Impacts of Mining-Induced Land Use Changes on Groundwater and Surface Water Quality Using Isotopic and Hydrogeochemical Signatures. Sustainability, 15, 11041. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411041. (Impact Factor (IF): 3.90)
5. Kausher, R., Sinha, A.K. Singh, R., (2023). Delineation of Groundwater Potential Zones for Sustainable Development and Planning using AHP and GIS Techniques in the Coal Mining Province of Mahan River Catchment Area. Min. Sci. 69, 1, 77-88. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24425/ams.2024.149828. (Impact Factor (IF): 1.20)
6. Kausher, R., Sinha, A.K, Singh, R (2023). Chemometric appraisal of groundwater and surface water quality for domestic, irrigation and industrial purposes in the coal mining province of Mahan River catchment area. Desalination and Water Treatmen doi: 10.5004/dwt.2023.29971. (Impact Factor: 1.1)
7. Kumar S, Singha SS, Singh R, Venkatesh AS, Gogoi U (2022) A knowledge-driven multi-criteria decision making- Analytical Hierarchy Process based geospatial modeling for the delineation of fluoride contamination zones in groundwater, Jamui district, Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains, India. Groundwater for Sustainable Development. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2022.100795. (Impact Factor: 9)
8. Kumar N, Tiwari MK, Singh R*, Singh AK (2022) Chemometrics in Ascertaining Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Coal Mine Discharge vis-à-vis Behaviour of Surface and Groundwater Resources of the Mahan River Catchment Area, Central India. Mine Water and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-022-00854-x. (Impact factor (IF): 2.10)
9. Pasupuleti S, Singha SS, Singha S, Singh R, Dhada I (2022). Groundwater characterization and non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk assessment of nitrate exposure in the Mahanadi River Basin of India. Journal of Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115746. (IF: 8.70, Q1 Paper)
10. Kumar S, Singh R, Venkatesh AS, Udayabhanu G, Singh TBN (2022) Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements Contamination on the Fertile Agricultural Soils Within Fluoride-Affected Areas of Jamui District, Indo-Gangetic Alluvial Plains, India. Water Air Soil Pollut 233, 39 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05488-3. (IF: 2.90, Q1 Paper)
11. Sethy SN, Syed TH, Singh R, Ray RK, and Behera B (2022) Stable isotope and geochemical evidence on sources and mechanisms of groundwater recharge in the Nalanda-Rajgir Region of Eastern India. Arabian Journal of Geosciences 15: 284. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-09550-0.
12. Singh R*, Narayan ID, Doley T, Kumar N, Bandyopadhyay D, Kisku DK (2021) Climate-resilient groundwater rationing in the mining environment: An operational framework from India. Environmental Earth Sciences. DOI: 10.1007/s12665-021-09732-1. (IF: 2.80)
13. Singha SS, Pasupuleti S, Singha S, Singh R, Kumar S (2021). Prediction of groundwater quality using efficient machine learning technique. Chemosphere. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130265. (IF: 8.80)
14. Singh R*, Gayen A, Kumar S, Dewangan R (2021). Geo-spatial distribution of arsenic contamination of groundwater resources in intricate crystalline aquifer system of central India: Arsenic toxicity manifestation and health risk assessment. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2020.1865787 (Impact Factor: 4.30).
15. Singh R*, Venkatesh AS, Sudhakar Ch, Sethy SN, Babu KP (2020). Exploration for strategic placer mineral deposits in a fluctuating shoreline: Depositional environment and mineralogical characterization of the NE Odisha coast placers, India. Ore Geology Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2020.103850 (Impact Factor: 3.30).
16. Kumar S, Singh R, Venkatesh AS, Udaybhanu G, Sahoo PR (2019) Medical Geological assessment of fluoride contaminated groundwater in parts of Indo-Gangetic Alluvial plains. “Scientific Reports”. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-52812-3 (Impact Factor: 4.60).
17. Singha SS, Pasupuleti S, Singha S, Durbha KS, Singh R, Venkatesh AS (2019) An Analytical Hierarchy Process based Geospatial modeling for demarcation of fluoride contaminated zones in groundwater from Arang block of Raipur district, Chhattisgarh, Central India. “Environmental Earth Sciences: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8724-z. (IF: 2.80)
18. Singha SS, Pasupuleti S, Singha S, Singh R, Venkatesh AS (2019) Analytic Network Process based approach for delineation of groundwater potential zones in Korba district, Central India using remote sensing and GIS. Geocarto International. https://doi.org/10.1080/10106049.2019.1648566(Impact Factor: 3.80)
19. Singha SS, Pasupuleti S, Singha S, Singh R, Venkatesh AS (2019) A GIS-based modified DRASTIC approach for geospatial modelling of groundwater vulnerability and pollution risk mapping in Korba district, Central India. “Environmental Earth Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8640-2. (IF: 2.80)
20. Naladala NR, Singh R*, Venkatesh AS, Bose P, Prasad Babu K, and Narayan ID (2019) Effectiveness of Bio-Activated Carbon Filtration and Ozonation on Control of Halo Acetic Acids Formation during Chlorination of Ganga River Water at Kanpur, India. OZONE: SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. https://doi.org/10.1080/01919512.2019.1604205. (IF: 2.70)
21. Kumar S, Venkatesh AS, Singh R, Udaybhanu G, Saha D (2018) Geochemical signatures and isotopic systematics constraining dynamics of fluoride contamination in groundwater across Jamui District, Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains, India. Chemosphere (SCI Impact Factor: 5.108). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.04.116. (IF: 8.80)
22. Singh R, Venkatesh AS, Syed TH, Surinaidu L, Rai SP and Kumar M (2018) Stable isotopic systematics and geochemical signatures constraining groundwater hydraulics in the mining environment of the Korba Coalfield, Central India. Environmental Earth Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7725-7. (IF: 2.80)
23. Singh R, Syed TH, Kumar S, Kumar M and Venkatesh AS (2017) Hydrogeochemical assessment of surface and groundwater resources of Korba coalfield, Central India: environmental implications. Arab J Geosci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3098-6 (Impact Factor: ~0.46)
24. Singh R, Venkatesh AS, Syed TH, Reddy AGS, Kumar M and Kurakalva RM (2017) Assessment of Potentially Toxic Trace Elements Contamination in Groundwater Resources of the Coal Mining Area of the Korba Coalfield, Central India. Environ Earth Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-6899-8. (IF: 2.80)
25. Naladala NR, Singh R, Katiyar KLD, Bose P, Dutta V (2017) Effect of Pre-ozonation on Haloacetic Acids Formation in Ganga River Water at Kanpur, India. Inst. Eng. India Ser. A. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40030-017-0226-y. (Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP: 0.393)

Papers in National publications and conference proceedings (abstract volumes / presented): 17 Nos

1. Singh R, Singh R K, Bandyopadhyay D, Bijani OD, Kumar N (March 2025) Evaluation of Suitable Sites for Water-Soluble Rare Earth Elements (REEs) Extraction from Coal Mine Drainage (CMD)” at the INC-IAH National Seminar held on 1st–2nd March 2025.
2. Singh R, Singh R K, Ralhan R, Bandyopadhyay D, Bijani OD, Sobti P, Kumar N, Kumar N (October 2024). The Water-Energy Nexus in Coal Mine Life Cycle: Potential Uses of Mine Pool Water” at National Seminar on Mineral Exploration & Water Resource Management: Recent Trends, CMPDI, Ranchi.
3. Singh R, Singh R K, Ralhan R, Bandyopadhyay D, Bijani OD, Sobti P, Kumar N (September 2024). Mine Water Utilization: A Sustainable Approach to Reducing the Water Footprint of Mining on Freshwater Regimes” at National Conference on Geology, Mining and Mineral Resources: Advances, Challenges and future prospects (GEOMIN – 2024), Udaipur, Rajasthan.
4. Kumar N, Uddin MN, Kumar A, Singh R (2023). A Critical Review of Groundwater Assessment, Estimation, and Regulatory (AER) Integration in India: Towards a Linked Framework. e-Journal of Geohydrology Vol. 5, Issue – December 2023.
5. Kausher, R., Sinha, A.K., Singh, R., (2022) “A Review on Vulnerability in Coal Mines Using GIS Based Drastic Model”. International Conference on Modern Approaches in Science & Technology (ICMAST2022) on 4th April 2022, organized by the School of Engineering and Sciences (SoES), GD Goenka University, Gurugram.
6. Kausher, R., Sinha, A.K., Singh, R., (2022). “Comprehensive Analysis on the Application of Numerical Modeling Flow for Assessment of Groundwater in Mining Area”. National Conference on Recent Trends in Civil & Environmental Engineering (RTCEE) on 4TH February 2022, organized by RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh (Punjab) India.
7. Singh R, Narayan ID, Thiagarajan R, Kumar N, Doley T, Kumar N, Kisku DK (2021) “Climate-resilient groundwater rationing in the mining environment vis-à-vis ecologically sustainable industrial development (ESID)”. Presented in the INC-IAH seminar through a virtual platform.
8. Singh R, Narayan ID, Doley T, Kumar N, Kisku DK (2020) Development of a site water conservation plan in the coal mining area of Chhal opencast mine, SECL, Raigrah, CG, Central India. National seminar on Recent Practices and Advancement in Mineral Industry (RPAMI), VNIT, Nagpur, India.
9. Prasad P, Bandyopadhyay D, Singh R (2019) Coal mining – a way to water conservation and artificial recharge. Abstract submitted in 6th India Water Week (IWW) 2019, New Delhi, India.
10. Narayan ID,Surine S, Singh R, Doley T, Kumar N, Kisku D (2019) Assessment of groundwater hydraulics with the aid of stable isotope systematics and geochemical signatures alongside effective water conservation and gainful utilization in the mining environment of the Korba Coalfield, Central India. Abstracted in National Conference on Ground Water Management in Mining and Social Sectors, INC-IAH, Ranchi. (21/09/2019)
11. Narayan ID,Singh R, Kumar N, Doley T, Kisku D, Pandey S, Sinhal R, Topagi GS (2019) Article on “Ananya Vatika: Eco-restoration Park cum Pit Lake” created in the mined-out area after cessation of mining activity was published in the CGWA workshop, organized in the month of March 2019. (Technical Paper).
12. Narayan ID,Sanjeev M Singh, Singh R, Kumar N, Doley T, Kisku D (2019) Opencast mining: An environmental eco-friendly engineering activity in terms of water conservation practices. Mine Tech Technical Paper, Volume 40, No. 3, pp. 53-60.
13. Singh R, Kumar N, Doley T, Kisku D, Narayan ID, Rao MS (2018) Article entitled “Coal mine water: Driving life on Earth” prepared for the magazine and was unveiled by SECL, Bilaspur on the World Environment Day 2018. (Technical Paper).
14. Singh R, Doley T, Kisku DK, Srirangam VK, Narayan ID, Gorai AK (2018) Coal mine dewater: Effective water conservation and gainful utilization in Korba Coalfield, SECL, Central India. Workshop on “Groundwater Management and its Issues in Chhattisgarh” CGWB, NCCR, p. 79-90. (Technical Paper).
15. Narayan ID, Singh R, Kumar N, Doley T, Kisku D (2019) Unconventional coal mining for sustainable production: Some insights on Underground Coal Gasification and Challenges. Seminar on Enhancement of Coal Production Sustainability and its Challenges in SECL. (03/04/2019)
16. Singh R, Doley T., Chakraborty T., Mohanty A.K. and Kumar M (2015) Coal Mining Impact Assessment on Groundwater System by virtue of Piezometer Installation: A case study from Kusmunda OC Project of SECL, Chhattisgarh, Central India. Mine Tech, Volume 36, No1. p. 29-35. (Technical Paper).
17. Pratapan VG, Tiwari A, Chakraborty T, Singh R, Khan S (2013) Depth wise water quality assessment in pit lakes: a case study of Manikpur pilot quarry, south eastern coalfields limited, India. VI World Aqua Congress 2012. Water-Vision 2050: p.179-188.

Book chapters

1.  Ganguli SS, Mandal MK, Singh R*, Kumar S, Singh SK, Subrahmanyam A, Alam F (2023). An Integrated Geophysical and Geochemical Survey to Assess the Fluoride Contamination of the Aquifer System at Khaira Village, Munger District, Bihar, India. Electrical Resistivity and Other Geophysical Methods for Improved Modelling of Groundwater Flow, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Chapter 8, pp 156-179.

Doctoral research supervision

1. Dr. Rukaiya Kausher, (Ph.D awarded in May 2024)

Served as an External Guide for Dr. Rukaiya Kausher (PHD/CEE/10003/2018) at Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, for her doctoral research titled “Application of Hydrological Modelling to Assess the Impact of Coal Mining Activity on the Mahan River Catchment in Central India”.