Report on

Educational visit to

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow

Date of Visit: 07 April 2026

Organised by: Maharishi School of Sciences in association with IQAC and MIRC

Objective: An educational visit to the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow was organised on 07^th April 2026 by the Maharishi School of Sciences (MUIT, Lucknow Campus) in association with IQAC and MIRC. The visit was aimed at providing exposure to the field of palaeoscience, fossil identification, fossil preservation and analytical techniques, fostering interest in research and future career opportunities in related fields.

Participating Students: Undergraduate and postgraduate students of Biological Sciences.

Visit Details: Students explored the institute museum, where they observed a wide range of fossil specimens and exhibits related to plant evolution and palaeobotany, and were introduced to the history and contributions of the institute in the field of palaeosciences. Dr. Sanjay Singh (Museum Curator) explained the geological time scale, helping students understand the evolution of life on Earth over millions of years.

Students also visited the carbon dating laboratory, where they learned techniques used to determine the age of fossils and geological samples. The concept of fossil preservation and amber fossil models was explained by Dr. Hukam Singh (Scientist), providing insights into ancient biological materials.

Further, students were introduced to advanced analytical techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), used for detailed structural analysis of fossils and microstructures. They were shown and explained several fossil specimens, gaining first-hand exposure to real palaeontological materials. Overall, the visit provided a comprehensive understanding of palaeoscience and related research practices.

The visit was successfully coordinated by Dr. Kanchan Awasthi (Associate Professor & Dy. Dean–MSOS)

Students’ Feedback: The students found the visit highly informative and engaging, as it enhanced their understanding of palaeoscience and fossil studies. Exposure to real specimens, laboratory techniques, and expert explanations helped them relate theoretical concepts to practical observations. The experience also sparked interest in research and encouraged them to explore further opportunities in palaeosciences and related fields.

Acknowledgements: The Maharishi School of Sciences expresses sincere gratitude to the Director, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, for granting permission and facilitating the visit, and also extends its sincere thanks to Hon’ble Vice Chancellor (Prof. Bhanu Pratap Singh), Registrar (Dr. Girish Chhimwal), Dean Academics (Prof. Neeraj Jain), and Dean–MSOS (Dr. Nishant Kumar) for their constant support, encouragement, and guidance in organizing this educational visit. Special thanks are due to Sr. AO (Mr. Rajesh Singh) and Mr. Kaustubh Misra (MIRC) for their valuable assistance in arranging the visit.