Sourindra Mohan Sircar was born in March 1908. He took his M. Sc. Degree from the University of Calcutta in 1931 with specialization in Plant Physiology and Anatomy. He joined the Calcutta University in 1937 as a Lecturer in Botany and later became the Head of the Department and soon adorned the Chair of Sir Rash Behari Ghosh Professor of Botany. Later he was invited to succeed the Late Dr. D. M. Bose as Director of the Bose Institute, Kolkata. He became the General President of Indian Science Congress Association in 1977-78 and after a brief illness breathed his last on the morning of February 21, 1978.

Prof. S. M. Sircar was one of the pioneers of Plant Physiological research in India. Much of what we know about the physiology of the indica cultivars rice plants is due to his monumental contributions from germination to flowering. The discoveries of germination and growth inhibitors, as also isolation of new gibberellins were remarkable contributions. His contributions on nutrition, lodging and the relationship between translocation, photosynthesis and yield of rice paved the way for understanding the lower yield potential of rice varieties. Double cropping of rice was his important contribution, which has found practical applications. The integration of physiological phenomena characterized his research activities. He was able to establish school of Plant Physiology, which has made significant contributions to plant science research and teaching in India.