Dr. Sindhuja C S

Scientist-C , Geochemistry

Dr. Sindhuja C S

cssindhuja@ngri.res.in

Academic Identity
     

Specialization

Precambrian biogeochemistry, gold metallogeny, sedimentology

Research Area

Dr. C. S. Sindhuja is a Scientist in the Geochemistry Division at CSIR–National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad. Her research interests span Precambrian geochemistry, metallogeny, ore geology and critical mineral resources, with a particular focus on understanding the geological processes that govern metal enrichment and mineral deposit formation through Earth's history. Her doctoral research significantly contributed to understanding biogenically mediated metallogenic processes and elucidated the contrasting depositional, geochemical and redox characteristics of Archean and Proterozoic carbonaceous phyllites. Her work provided valuable insights into the interplay between evolving Earth surface environments and mineralization processes during the Precambrian.

Since joining CSIR–NGRI in 2022, Dr. Sindhuja has been actively engaged in multidisciplinary research focusing on the genesis and evolution of ore-forming systems. Her research integrates mineral chemistry, trace-element geochemistry, isotope geochemistry and fluid-rock interaction studies to investigate the processes controlling the formation of gold deposits, sulphide mineralization, rare-metal pegmatites, granitic systems and critical mineral resources. Her current work particularly emphasizes the geochemical behaviour of ore-forming elements, metal transport and deposition mechanisms, and the petrogenetic evolution of mineralized magmatic-hydrothermal systems. Dr. Sindhuja has authored several research articles in reputed international peer-reviewed journals. Her research aims to unravel the complex interactions among the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere that have influenced metallogenic processes through geological time. She is particularly interested in understanding the genesis of gold and sulphide deposits, the evolution of rare-metal-bearing granitic and pegmatitic systems and the geochemical controls governing the enrichment of critical metals essential for future energy and technological applications.

Dr. Sindhuja has been recognized through several prestigious honours, including the CSIR Women Achiever in STEM Award (2023) Young Scientist Award (2020) from the Telangana Academy of Sciences and the Scientific High-Level Visiting Fellowship (2025) supported by the French Institute in India and the Embassy of France. She has published in leading international journals, including Precambrian Research, Ore Geology Reviews, Geoscience Frontiers, Geosystems and Geoenvironment, and Geological Journal. 

Ongoing Research Projects

1) ANRF-START UP RESEARCH GRANT (SRG)

Evaluation of mineral potential, geochemistry and paleo-depositional regime of clastic sediments from Dharwar craton, India (Decmeber 2023 to March 2026)

Honors & Awards

  1. 2025-"Scientific High Level Visiting Fellowship" to CRPG-CNRS funded by IFI, Embassy of France
  2. 2024-Assistant Professor, Physical Sciences
  3. 2023- Listed as "CSIR-Women Achiever" in STEM
  4. 2020-"Young Scientist Award-2020" by Telangana Academy of Sciences.
  5. 2019-"Top downloaded paper in 2018-2019" from Geological Journal, John Wiley.
  6. 2018-Fellowship holder of DST-INSPIRE-AORC.
  7. 2017-Y. Purandhar Honorary Gold medal in M.Sc Geology, Osmania University.
  8. 2012-Scholarship holder of the DST-INSPIRE-SHE. 

Publications

13. Sindhuja, C.S., Satyanarayanan, M., Banerjee, S. and Chatterjee, S., (2025). Geochemical and mineralogical constraints on lithium  mineralization in rare-metal pegmatites of the Amareshwar region, Eastern Dharwar Craton, India. Geosystems and Geoenvironment, p.100439.

12. Sindhuja, C.S.,(2025). Harnessing Mineral Resources: Societal Strategies for sustainability. Crust to Core (CSIR-NGRI) Monthly Magazine,Volume-7, Issue-3, Page-15

11. Sindhuja, C.S., Duraiswami, R.A., Nagaraja Rao, B.K., Manikyamba, C., Ramakrishna Reddy, N., (2024). Formation and preservation of crescent-shaped volcaniclastic imprints in Quartz Feldspar porphyry from Neoarchean  Kadiri Greenstone belt, India. Journal of Earth  System Science,11-133 (IMPACT FACTOR- 1.9)

10. Sindhuja, C.S., Harshitha, G., Manikyamba, C., Subramanyam, K.S.V., (2023). Geochemistry and depositional environment of fuchite quartzites from Sargur Group, western Dharwar Craton India. Acta Geochemicia, 1-16. (IMPACT FACTOR- 1.6)

9.Sindhuja, C.S., Manikyamba, C., Subhojit, S., Siva Narayanan, Sridhar, B., (2022). Geochemical and carbon isotopic studies of carbonaceous phyllites from Dharwar craton, India -Reconstruction of Precambrian depositional environment. Precambrian Research (IMPACT FACTOR-4.725; In Press).

8. Sindhuja, C.S., Manikyamba, C., Pahari, A., Santosh, M and Tang, L., (2021). Metallogenesis and depositional environment of the Archean-Proterozoic carbonaceous phyllites/shales from the Dharwar Craton, India. Ore Geology Reviews, p.103966 (IMPACT FACTOR-3.809)

7. Sindhuja, C.S., Manikyamba, C., Pahari, A. and Satyanarayanan, M., (2020). Geochemistry of Banded sulphidic cherts of Sandur greenstone belt, Dharwar Craton, India: constraints on hydrothermal processes and gold mineralization. Ore Geology Reviews, v.122, p.103529 (IMPACT FACTOR-3.809)

6. Sindhuja, C.S., Khelen, A.C. and Manikyamba, C., (2019). Geochemistry of Archean–Proterozoic shales, Dharwar Craton, India: Implications on depositional environment. Geological Journal, 54(5), p.2759-2778. (IMPACT FACTOR-2.489)

5. Sindhuja, C.S., Pahari, A., Manikyamba, C., Santosh, M., Tang, L., Ray, J., Subramanyam K.S.V., Madhuparna Pal, Gonzalez-Alvarez., (2022). Geochemistry and U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology of quartzites of Simlipal basin, Singhbhum Craton, India: Evidence for Mesoarchean crustal stabilization. Geoscience Frontiers, v.13, p.101259 (IMPACT FACTOR-6.853)

4. Manikyamba, C., Sindhuja, C.S., Khelen, A.C., Pahari, A., (2022). Archean biogeochemical cognizance in Dharwar craton, India- A review. Journal of Geological Society of India (In Press; IMPACT FACTOR-1.459)

3. Manikyamba, C., Ganguly, S., Santosh, M., Tang, L., Sindhuja, C.S., Pahari, A., Dhanakumar, T., (2020). Tectonic juxtaposition of Mesoarchean continental and oceanic fragments in the Bababudan Greenstone terrain, Western Dharwar Craton, India: Evidence for plume-arc interaction in an ancient accretionary orogen. Precambrian Research, v.355, p.106097 (IMPACT FACTOR-4.728)

2. Manikyamba, C., Pahari, A., Santosh, M., Ray, J., Sindhuja, C.S., Subramanyam, K.S.V. and Singh, M.R., (2020). Mesoarchean gabbro-anorthosite complex from Singhbhum Craton, India. Lithos, v.366, p.105541 (IMPACT FACTOR-4.004)

1. Manikyamba, C., Ghose, N., Ganguly, S., Pahari, A., Sindhuja, C.S., (2020). Gold, Uranium, Thorium and Rare Earth mineralization in the Kadiri Volcanic Province of Eastern Dharwar Craton, India: An evaluation of mineralogical, textural and geochemical attributes. Geological Journal, v.56, p.359-381 (IMPACT FACTOR-2.489)

Books

Research Scholars

Co-Supervisor: Khangembam Laksana Singh(AcSIR)

Educational Qualification

2021 Ph.D. in Geology (Geochemistry) with distinction, CSIR- NGRI 2017-Gold Medallist, M.Sc Geology, OU

Proffessional Experience

03/2024- Continuing               Assistant Professor, Faculty of Physical Sciences, AcSIR, CSIR-NGRI

11/2022-Continuing                Scientist, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI)

04/2019-05/2021                     SRF (DST-INSPIRE), CSIR-NGRI

05/2018-04/2019                     JRF (DST-INSPIRE), CSIR-NGRI

02/2018-05/2018                     Project Assistant Level-II, CSIR-NGRI

Proffessional Affiliations

Member International Association of Geochemistry

Life Member of Indian Science Congress Association

Life Member of Indian Association of Applied Geochemists

Member of Geological Society of India