Professor R. P. Gokarn obtained a B.Tech. (Hons) degree in Naval Architecture from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, in 1962 and a Ph.D. in 1971. He joined the faculty of the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at IIT Kharagpur in 1962.

He served as Head of the Department, Dean (Postgraduate Studies), and Member of the Board of Governors of IIT Kharagpur. He retired from IIT Kharagpur in January 2002. During the thirty-nine years that he was a member of the faculty at IIT Kharagpur, he taught a variety of subjects. In addition, he was in charge of the Ship Hydrodynamics Laboratory. He was active in continuing education programs, consultancy projects, and sponsored research projects. He is Member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, UK, Fellow of the Institution of Naval Architects (India), and Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India). He recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from IIT Kharagpur.