[1] For his contributions in the field of science education, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour, in 2010.
He did his doctoral work in theoretical physics at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, and completed his dissertation in 1969.
In 1994, after the retirement of V. G. Kulkarni, the founder-Director of HBCSE, Kumar was appointed Centre Director, and held the position until his superannuation in 2008.
[1] Subsequently he was associated with the Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, Mumbai, as visiting faculty, and is currently a member of its Academic Board.
During his tenure as Director, HBCSE became the national nodal centre for the Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy and Mathematics Olympiads.