Five senior scientists to meet top panel as government moves towards finding next DRDO chief
New Delhi, July 1
Five senior scientists from the Defence Research and Development Organisation have been called for interview by the search-cum-selection panel to find the next chief of the premier defence research body.
The office of the Chairman, DRDO, has been lying vacant for a month now after the retirement of its former chief Dr Samir V Kamat.
Defence sources told ANI that the Search-cum-Selection panel will meet the scientists on Friday to interview them.
The scientists who have been called for the interview include Director, SPS, Anupam Sharma; DG Electronics and Communication BK Das; DG Armament and Combat Engineering Prateek Kishore, DG Missiles and Strategic Systems Jagannath Nayak; and Director, RCI Anindya Biswas.
The appointment would be crucial as the government is looking to carry out the long-pending reforms which have been planned by the Prime Minister's Office in consultation with all stakeholders in the process.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has been given the charge of Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, in the Defence Ministry.
DRDO has achieved important successes in recent times, including the successful test-firing of the ballistic missile defence shield.
The reforms in the research organisation may include the merger of laboratories and removing non-core area works from its charter.
The government also wants a closer collaboration between the industry and DRDO to produce weapon systems in a faster way.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see a strong pipeline of scientists. But I hope the selection is merit-based and not influenced by bureaucracy. We need someone who can modernize DRDO and reduce project delays. Best wishes to all candidates!
Impressive list of experts. The missile defense shield success shows Indian R&D is maturing. Hope the new DRDO chief focuses on joint ventures with private sector to make systems production-ready faster. Global threats demand quick innovation.
Reforms are long overdue! DRDO needs to shed non-core work and focus on indigenous tech like hypersonics and AI. Also, better coordination with startups will speed up weapon development. Let’s hope the next chief has a clear vision.
I appreciate the transparency in the selection process. DRDO’s missile shield is world-class! But we must address the brain drain—many talented scientists leave for private sector. The new chief should also work on retaining top talent with better incentives.
Good initiative by PMO to push reforms. But I hope the industry collaboration doesn’t become a pay-to-play system. Also, lab mergers should be strategic, not just cost-cutting. Let’s trust the Search-cum-Selection panel to choose wisely. 🤞
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