For long, widely divergent views (based on isolated pieces of historical evidence or broad geological evolution of the subcontinent, notably the rise of the Himalayas in mid-late Miocene), had prevailed regarding origin and antiquity of the Thar Desert. Studies of the past few decades have since provided a wealth of new information on landform styles, evolutionary processes and palaeoclimate history with chronometric and isotopic constraints. Salt lakes, dunes and calcrete-bearing alluvial aggradations have been the focus of interest.

Considerable and sincere efforts are being made to enhance the reach and
tempo of science education and research in India. An unprecedented increase in budgets, new institutes and learning centers, involvement of NRI scientists and the Department of Science and Technology inspired programmes like INSPIRE can now be seen. These efforts are steps in the right direction.