The Gondwana sediments comprising fine-grained shales,carbonaceous shales,sandstones and the coal horizon in borecore RT-4 (approximately 547.00 m thick)from Tamra block,Raniganj Coal field,Damodar Basin,are analyzed palynologically.Based on the distribution pattern of marker palynotaxa,two assemblage zones are identi fied.In the Barren Measures Formation,dominance of enveloping monosaccate (Densipollenites) along with striate bisaccate (Striatopodocarpites,Fauni- pollenites) pollen taxa,and the FAD ’s of Kamthisaccites and Arcuatipollenites observed at 30.75, have equated this strata (30.75 –227.80 m thick)with the Raniganj Formation of Late Permian in age.Downwards in the Barakar Formation,between 423.80 –577.70 m depths,an abundance of non-striate (Scheuringipollenites )and striate(Faunipollenites and Striatopodocarpites )bisaccate pollen taxa is observed,that dates late Early Permian in age.

Fair occurrences of hyaline,distorted and blackish-brown plant matter is observed within 231.00 –408.40 m depths.Present study infers the existence of the Raniganj Formation in the lithologically delimited Barren Measures Formation in the study area,and the underlying unproductive strata (approx.177.40 m)might represent the part of the Barren Measures Formation.

Palynological investigations are carried out on approximately 538.00-m thick Gondwana strata from borehole SKB-1, Binja Block, South Karanpura Coalfield in Jharkhand. Based on the distribution pattern of age marker palynotaxa, two distinct palynoassemblages are identified. Palynoassemblage-I in the lithologically designated Barren Measures and Barakar formations, between 552.00 and 53.20 m depth show dominance of striate bisaccate (Striatopodocarpites, Crescentipollenites, and Faunipollenites) and abundance of nonstriate bisaccate (Scheuringipollenites). Upward the Palynoassemblage-II (39.50–13.80 m depth) is rich in striate bisaccate (Striatopodocarpites and Crescentipollenites) and significant enveloping monosaccate Densipollenites magnicorpus pollen. These strata have been equated with Raniganj Formation of Latest Permian age. The First Appearance Datum (FAD) of Arcuatipollenites pellucidus, Playfordiaspora cancellosa, Alisporites sp., Falcisporites sp. and Krempipollenites indicus observed at 13.80 and 39.50 m depth, mark the transition of Permian into the Lower Triassic. The FADs of Guttulapollenites spp. at 49.10 and 504.70 m, Goubinispora morondavensis at 415.90 m, Alisporites ovalis and Arcuatipollenites sp. at 526.70 m is observed and suggest that these sediments are equivalent to Raniganj Formation, Late Permian in age.