D.V. Subba Rao did his B.Tech (Chemical Engineering) and M.Sc (Mineral Process Engineering) from Andhra University. He worked as teacher and Head of the department of Mineral Beneficiation and taught to 33 batches of undergraduate students. Over the years he developed course curriculum by adapting time-brought world changes like introducing process calculations and computational mathematics at the undergraduate level and shaped the department competitive to mining engineering schools elsewhere. He conducted induction and advanced training courses for in-service engineers of reputed mineral organizations viz., Essar Steels, Tega Industries, Hindustan Zinc Limited, Trimex Sands etc. and won their approbation. His eminent and outstanding contributions to the profession of mineral engineering particularly his three books (1) Mineral Beneficiation – A Concise Basic Course, (2) Coal Processing and Utilization & (3) Minerals and Coal Process Calculations of international publications, brought national recognition and he has been given life time achievement award by the Indian Institute of Mineral Engineers.