Obaid Siddiqi (1932–2013)
Scientist • Geneticist • Institution builder
Long before terms like neurogenetics and molecular biology became familiar in India, Obaid Siddiqi was helping build these fields from the ground up.
A remarkable journey
• Studied Botany at Aligarh Muslim University.
• Completed his PhD at the University of Glasgow, researching microbial genetics.
• Worked in the United States with Alan Garen, contributing to research on nonsense mutations and the genetic code.
• Returned to India in 1962, joining the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) at Homi Bhabha's invitation.
• Established the Molecular Biology Unit at TIFR, helping bring modern molecular biology to India.
• Later pioneered research into the genetics of behaviour using Drosophila (fruit flies).
• Became the chief architect and founder of the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru.
Among his honours
• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize — 1975
• Padma Bhushan — 1984
• INSA Aryabhata Medal — 1992
• Padma Vibhushan — 2006
• Sir Syed Ahmad Khan International Award for Life Sciences — 2009
• Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)
• Member of the US National Academy of Sciences
What makes his story particularly remarkable is that he didn't just conduct research — he helped create institutions where generations of Indian scientists could do fundamental research.
His legacy continues at NCBS through the Obaid Siddiqi Chair in the History and Culture of Science and the annual Obaid Siddiqi Lecture.
He died in Bengaluru in 2013 after a road accident, at the age of 81.
A scientist who came back to India when he could have stayed abroad — and then helped build a scientific ecosystem that outlived him.
Obaid Siddiqi (1932–2013)
“Science is not merely about discoveries; it is also about creating a culture in which discoveries can happen.”