Professor Niranjan Barik had his early childhood education in rural environment of Kendrapada district of Odisha. Then he completed his higher education leading up to M.S degree in Physics from Ravenshaw College, Cuttack during 1960-65. He obtained his Ph.D. Degree from University of California, U.S.A. in 1972. Starting his professional Career a Gangadhar Meher College, Sambalpur in 1965 as a lecturer i Physics; he joined thereafter in 1967, the P.G. Department of Physics at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar and ultimately retired from there as the Mayurbhanj Professor of Physics in 2003, During his tenure as Professor, he had taken up some administrative responsibility as comptroller of Finance and Registrar of Utkal University.

During his professional career spanning over more than 40 years of teaching and research, he has published more than seventy research papers in peer reviewed journals of National and International repute. He has successfully accomplished many research projects providing guidance to several M. Phil and Ph.D. scholars for the award of their degrees.

He has received many awards and recognitions like the Atomic Energy Scholarship by Government of India during 1961- 65; Mayrubhanj gold Medal from Utakl University in 1963 as the Best Graduate, University Gold Medal in 1965 for standing first class first in M.Sc. Physics, Teaching Assistantship from University of California, Riverside, U.S.A. during 1968-72, Visiting Scientist at Imperial College, London in 1972, Common- Wealth Academic Staff Fellowship at University of Manchester, U.K. etc.

While teaching and research was his passion; popularization of Science to impart true scientific understanding amongst the masses through TV and Radio Talks, through deliberation in various college seminar forums and through articles in popular scientific magazines; was his mission. He worked as the Chief Editor of Science Horizon published by Odisha Bigyan Academy. He believes that if the road to Ultimate Truth and Reality in a rational and abstract logical approach is possible, then it lies in the heart and soul of Physics.