Abstract
The Indian Colloquium on Micropaleontology and Stratigraphy (ICMS) is one of the most prominent academic events in the field of geology in the country. Since its inception in 1971, various institutions nationwide have organised it biennially. The 29th ICMS was held at the Department of Geology, University of Delhi, from 17 to 19 October 2024. It was attended by experts and upcoming researchers from universities, scientific institutions and industries involved in hydrocarbon exploration and palaeoenvironmental, palaeoclimatic, and palaeoceanographic studies.
The ICMS provides an excellent forum for a vibrant meeting of young and experienced researchers to discuss the recent developments in the field. The amalgamation of scientists from academia, institutes and industries presents a unique platform for exchanging ideas regarding the application of microfossils in hydrocarbon exploration and various facets of climate change and environmental degradation. Researchers and students in various geology departments nationwide benefit from the knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities at the ICMS, encouraging all geologists, researchers and students to consider participating in future events to gain similar benefits.
The inaugural function of the ICMS was graced by the chief guest, Ms Sushma Rawat, Director of Exploration, ONGC; guest of honour, Dr Rajeev Nigam, Former Dy Director, National Institute of Oceanography, Goa; Professor Anil Kumar Gupta, IIT Kharagpur, President of the 29th ICMS. Professor Balram Pani, Dean of Colleges, University of Delhi, presided over the inaugural function. Professor Ashutosh Kumar Singh, convener of the colloquium, welcomed the delegates and briefly presented the history of ICMS and its importance. He described the evolution of the ICMS itself and how it has expanded its ambit to include many multidisciplinary research studies. Professor Pankaj Srivastava, Head of the Department of Geology, welcomed the delegates and briefed them about the history of the department and notable contributions of the department in the field of micropalaeontology. Dr Rajiv Nigam and Professor Anil Kumar Gupta addressed the delegates, expressing their views on the ICMS and sharing their significant contributions to geology. Professor Balram Pani, Dean of Colleges, University of Delhi, welcomed the delegates on behalf of the University of Delhi and gave his presidential remarks. In her inaugural address, Ms Sushma Rawat emphasised the importance of micropalaeontology in hydrocarbon exploration and shared her recent initiatives to enhance research and development activities at the KDMIPE, ONGC. In her address, she encouraged the young micropaleontologists present in the audience to take up new challenges in the field of oil exploration. The dignitaries released an elegantly prepared abstract volume of the ICMS. Three distinguished guests, namely Professor D. M. Banerjee (Delhi University), Professor Talat Ahmad (former VC, Kashmir University and Jamilia Milia University) and Professor Avinash Pandey (Director, Inter-University Accelerator Centre), were felicitated by the dignitaries in the inaugural function.
The academic deliberations started with the presidential address by Professor Anil Kumar Gupta (IIT Kharagpur), who presented a comprehensive account of using foraminifera to infer palaeoceanography and palaeoclimate. He also narrated a brief history of research on deep-sea cores through various scientific expeditions. The delegates were provided with printed presidential addresses with illustrative figures and text.
In the first Technical Session, Dr Rajeev Saraswat of the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, gave a keynote address on using geochemical analysis of microfossils in palaeoceanography, palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironment. He discussed the nuances of geochemical analyses and new proxies developed in recent years. The keynote address was followed by papers on oceanographic processes, Antarctic Ice Sheet initiation, carbon dynamics, upper ocean hydrography, global warming projections and stratification. The second Technical Session commenced with Dr Anand Kale’s (IIT Bombay) keynote address on applying calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy in hydrocarbon exploration. Several other presentations were made on biostratigraphy, hydrocarbon exploration and gas hydrates. In the Third Technical Session, papers on vertebrates, microvertebrate fossils, their evolution, mammals and seaweeds were presented, and their significance in stratigraphy was discussed. There were about 50 posters in the first poster session. A team of judges visited each poster and interacted with the participants to rank the poster for an award.
On the second day, Professor Sunil Bajpai (IIT Roorkee) delivered the keynote address on microvertebrate research in India: some recent advances from Peninsular India. In Technical Session Four, Professor Jaikrishna (formerly at BHU) delivered a keynote address on Cretaceous Palaeobiogeography with a sequence stratigraphic perspective. Other presentations included stratigraphic riddles of Precambrian, flora associated with the Deccan Trap, late Miocene biostratigraphy, Siwalik biostratigraphy, pollen biostratigraphy and Vindhyan stratigraphy. Technical Session Five started with a keynote address on applying ostracods in palaeoclimatic and palaeoceanographic interpretation by Professor S. M. Hussain (formerly Madras University). Other papers included Jurassic ostracods, ostracods from Nimar Sandstone, Coastal ecology based on ostracods and other microfossil groups. There was a fascinating talk on the Natural History Museum during the session. Technical Session Six commenced with two keynote addresses on the Vindhyan Supergroup. Dr Azmi (formerly at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology) delivered a keynote talk on the Vindhyan–Ganga basin–Lesser Himalaya connection, Proterozoic–early Cambrian palaeogeography and the proven hydrocarbon potential. In his keynote address, Professor Mukund Sharma (CSIR Emeritus Scientist) summarised two centuries of research on the Vindhyan Supergroup and advocated dividing the Vindhyan basin into two basins, viz. the Son Valley and the Chambal Valley. He highlighted various unresolved problems of the Vindhyan geology, which the next generation of researchers should address. There were other engaging presentations, including those on palynofloral records from the Devonian of India, palynology of Barail Shale, palynomorphs from the Jaisalmer basin, dinoflagellates from the Krishna Godavari basin and Gondwana palynofossils. Technical Session Seven began with a keynote address by Dr Raj Kumar Singh (IIT Bhubaneshwar) on applying statistical analyses of foraminiferal census data for palaeoclimatic and palaeoceanographic interpretation. Several presentations on the application of foraminifera in palaeoceanography from various parts of the world oceans were the main features of the session. Another poster session was scheduled for the second day. In this session, 50 more posters were presented. A team of judges critically examined the posters for recognition under the Innovative Research Poster Award.
The day ended with a brief programme of the Palaeontological Society of India in which three gold medals were presented. Dr Neloy Khare (MoES) was awarded the Professor S. N. Bhalla Gold Medal, Professor S. M. Hussain (Madras University) was the recipient of the Dr Rajiv Nigam Gold Medal and Dr Sudhir Bhadra of IISc Bangalore was conferred the Sharda Chandra Gold Medal. The PSI Programme followed a book launch ceremony. A recently published book entitled ‘Indian Geological Sequences: Salient Features and Major Events’ by Jaikrishna (Elsevier, 2024) was released by Professor Anil Kumar Gupta, President of the 29th ICMS and Professor Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Convener, ICMS. Professor Jaikrishna briefly described the contents of the book. The day ended with a colourful cultural programme, ‘Tarang’, by the Department of Geology students.
Group photograph of the participants, 29th Indian Colloquium on Micropaleontology and Stratigraphy.
The third day started with Technical Session Eight, with a keynote address on the impact of changing Neogene climate on the plankton community, with data from the Andaman-Nicobar basin by Dr Amit Kumar Ghosh (CSIR Emeritus Scientist). Other presentations included studies on palaeomonsoon, deep water ventilation changes, Mediterranean Atlantic connectivity and surface productivity of the Japan Sea, Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Technical Session Nine began with a keynote address by Dr Rahul Mohan (NCPOR) on deciphering the climate history of the Antarctic Sea based on diatom studies. Presentations were also made on diatoms, vegetation dynamics, carbonate dissolution and ocean variability during glacial–interglacial transitions. In the last Technical Session of the ICMS, the 12th keynote address was delivered by Dr Rajni Panchang (Pune University) on the application of pteropods in palaeoceanographic interpretation. Other presentations on deep water carbonate chemistry and palaeoceanography were also based on pteropods.
The ICMS Technical Sessions concluded in the evening, followed by the Valedictory Session. The participants appreciated the scientific contents of the ICMS and other logistics provided by the organisers. The Innovative Research Poster Awards were given to 10 selected posters, which included (in alphabetical order) Aindabi Maitra (BHU), Avirajsing Jadav (NCPOR), Ayushi Mishra (BSIP), Ayushi Ram (IIT Kharagpur), Deeksha Bohra (Kumaun University), Pankaj Mahanta (IIT Kharagpur), Ningthoujam Premjit Singh (Wadia Institute), Ruchita Yadav (BSIP), Shatabdi Mohanty (ISM Dhanbad) and Sharmila Sherin (NCPOR). The awardees were presented with a certificate and a book, ‘Micropaleontology: Application in Stratigraphy and Paleoceanography’.
The importance and recognition of the 29th ICMS among palaeontologists can be gauged by the participation of over 200 outstation delegates from across the length and breadth of the country. The three-day meeting saw 12 keynote addresses, 90 oral and 100 poster presentations. Around 90 participating research students were provided accommodation facilities, and those without fellowship were provided travel support. Many senior scientists were also provided logistic support because of substantial sponsorship from various agencies. In honour of the ICMS delegates, a Conference Dinner was hosted by ONGC Videsh Ltd. The 29th ICMS was generously sponsored by SERB (DST), MoES, NCPOR, NCESS, CSIR, INSA, ONGC Videsh Ltd, ONGC (APG), Oil India Ltd, BeicipFranlab India and the University of Delhi.
Before the curtains were down, it was unanimously decided to hold the 30th ICMS at the School of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneshwar, under the convenorship of Dr Raj Kumar Singh, Associate Professor, who graciously accepted the convenorship and invited the delegates to join the 30th ICMS in 2026 at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. The ICMS ended with the convener, Professor Ashutosh Kumar Singh, expressing gratitude to those who helped organise the 29th ICMS.
