Prof. Rajesh Punia is a Professor in the Department of Physics at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak — one of Haryana's most distinguished state universities. Over a career spanning more than two decades, he has built a substantial record of scholarship in condensed matter physics, combining rigorous experimental research with significant institutional leadership. He has served as Chairperson of the Department of Physics at MDU and as an Elected Member of the MDU Executive Council (2017–2019), the apex governance body of the university, representing the faculty voice at the highest institutional level.

His research spans the synthesis and characterisation of oxide glass systems — including bismuth-based, tellurite, borate, and silicate compositions — with deep focus on electronic transport mechanisms, dielectric relaxation phenomena, impedance spectroscopy, and nonlinear optical behaviour. A major ongoing project, funded by the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), Mumbai, investigates radon, thoron, and gamma radiation levels across four districts of Haryana — work of direct relevance to environmental radiation safety and public health policy in the region.

Beyond MDU, Prof. Punia has served in a remarkable breadth of administrative roles. At Indira Gandhi University, Meerpur, he simultaneously held the positions of Chairperson of both the Physics and Chemistry Departments, Director of Youth Welfare, Director of Sports, and Secretary to the Vice-Chancellor. He also served as Deputy Director of Distance Education at GJUS&T, Hisar, and as Registrar at CRS University, Jind.

He has delivered 42 invited lectures at national and international forums, guided 7 doctoral scholars (5 degrees awarded), participated in advanced training at the University of Marburg, Germany, and attended capacity-building seminars in Bangkok, Thailand. He holds the distinction of first rank in the BARC Radiological Safety Training course (2012) and is a certified Radiation Safety Officer.