This was first instituted at the time of the birth centenary of Prof. L. Rama Rao, the Founder Editor of the Geological Society of India in the year 1996 and is given once in three years to the geologist who has made significant life time contribution to Indian Stratigraphy and/or Palaeontology. The earlier L. Rama Rao Award instituted in the year 1974 stands merged with the Birth Centenary Award.