Sodha has done extensive research in the physical science disciplines of plasma and energy. He is credited with pioneering researches on colloidal plasmas, optics and Akhamanov’s formulation and he presented papers on quantitative theory of image formation in layered media. His book, Microwave Propagation in Ferrimagnetics is reported to be the first book on the subject. He has also published 13 books including Solar Crop Drying, Solar Distillation and Solar Passive Building: Science and Design and had edited a book, Sodha Reviews of Renewable Energy Resources. He has also published over 500 research papers in peer reviewed journals and mentored several students for their doctoral studies.

Sodha contributed to the establishment of divisions such as the Centre of Energy Studies and Research, Opto-Electronics Group and Plasma Physics Group at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. During his tenure as the vice chancellor of Lucknow University and Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, he was instrumental in introducing self-financing as an option for academic studies and reportedly played a part in the establishment of Faculty of Engineering Science at Devi Ahilya Vishavidyalaya.

M. S. Sodha secured his master’s degree (MSc) in physics in 1951 from Allahabad University and started his career as a junior scientist by joining the Defence Science Laboratory, New Delhi, present day Laser Science and Technology Centre, in 1953. During the same period, he pursued his doctoral studies and obtained a doctoral degree (DPhil) in 1955 from the same university. He continued at DSL till 1956 and moved to the University of British Columbia, Canada as a post doctoral fellow to stay there till 1958.

Prof. Sodha started his career as a junior scientist by joining the Defence Science Laboratory, New Delhi, present day Laser Science and Technology Centre, in 1953. He worked as senior scientist at the Armour Research Foundation, Chicago, till 1961 and then as a senior scientist and chief of physics at the Republic Aviation Company, New York. In 1964, he returned to India and joined the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi as the professor where he rose in ranks to become the dean, head of the department and finally, a deputy director of the institution till his retirement in 1992. Prof. Sodha contributed to the establishment of divisions such as the Centre for Energy Studies, Opto-Electronics Group and Plasma Physics Group. During this period, he also served as the vice chancellor of Devi Ahilya University from 1988 to 1992. In 1992, he was appointed as the vice chancellor of Lucknow University for a three-year term from 1992 to 1995 and, later, at the Barkatullah University from 1998 to 2000. He has also served as a visiting professor at Drexel University and is a visiting professor and Ramanna Fellow of Lucknow University. He has served as the president of Plasma Science Society of India and Optical Society of India.