Rate My Professor Arun Kumar Singh

Arun Kumar Singh is a Senior Professor of Geography in the MMV Section at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, holding the position since June 2020, following his promotion to Professor in June 2010 and Associate Professor in June 2007. He currently serves as Registrar of Banaras Hindu University since 30 March 2022. His academic background includes a B.A. (Hons) in Geography from Patna University in 1987, an M.A. in Geography with specialization in Urban and Regional Planning and Environment from Delhi University in 1990, an M.Phil. in Geography from Delhi University in 1992 on Flood Hazard in North Bihar, and a Ph.D. in Urban Geography from Devi Ahilya University, Indore, in 2005, focusing on Urbanisation in Bhopal Capital Region: A Geographical Analysis. Prior to joining BHU, he served as Assistant Professor (HUDCO Chair) at the Academy of Administration and Management, Bhopal, from July 2002 to June 2007, and as Assistant Professor in the Government of Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Service starting in September 1993.

Professor Singh's research interests encompass urban geography, population geography, economic geography, urban water supply and sanitation, and urban development policies. He has undertaken several research projects, including a UGC-funded Major Research Project on “Urban Water Supply and Sanitation in Varanasi and adjoining districts” from 2011 to 2014, and earlier projects in Madhya Pradesh on impact assessment of urban local bodies, Gramodyoga Niti 1999, state development report, and capacity building initiatives funded by UNDP and DfID. He has edited key books such as “Population, Development and Environment: A Contemporary Debate” (2013), “Rural Resources and Development: Perspectives and Planning” (2014), “City, Space and Politics in Global South” (2019), and “Practising Cultural Geographies: Essays in Honour of Rana P.B. Singh” (2022). Notable contributions include book chapters like “India’s Urban Development Policy: Retrospect and Prospect” (2019) and “Urban Sanitation in Indian Cities: Reflections from Varanasi” (2022). He has guided Ph.D. theses on topics such as living conditions in slums, rural development planning, and urbanisation in Varanasi. Administratively, he has been Convener of the Admission Committee (Arts) at MMV (2015-2020), member of various university Boards of Studies, and part of BHU’s Institution of Eminence Governing Body. In 2023, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Deccan Geographical Society. He is a life member of the National Association of Geographers, India, National Geographical Society of India, Deccan Geographical Society, and Association of Geographers, Bihar and Jharkhand.