The programme was introduced in 1994 and has graduated many students. Though the demand for the expertise of ‘pure’ Soil Scientist has dwindled in the job market, there are applicants especially those already in the field who often opt for this ‘pure’ soil science. This is because the dependence on and curiosity about soil, exploring the diversity and dynamics of this resource continues to yield fresh discoveries and insights. New avenues of soil research are compelled by a need to understand soil in the context of climate change, greenhouse gases and carbon sequestration.