New Delhi, July 1: The Centre has initiated the process to appoint the next chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with five senior scientists shortlisted for interviews before the Search-cum-Selection Committee.
The post of DRDO Chairman has remained vacant since the retirement of Dr. Samir V. Kamat last month. According to defence sources, the selection panel is scheduled to interview the shortlisted candidates on Friday.
The scientists called for the interview are Anupam Sharma, Director, SPS; B.K. Das, Director General (Electronics and Communication Systems); Prateek Kishore, Director General (Armament and Combat Engineering); Jagannath Nayak, Director General (Missiles and Strategic Systems); and Anindya Biswas, Director, Research Centre Imarat (RCI).
The appointment comes as the government moves forward with planned reforms in DRDO. The proposed changes, prepared in consultation with stakeholders, are expected to include the merger of select laboratories and the removal of non-core activities from the organisation’s mandate.
Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has been given additional charge as Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development.In recent months, DRDO has recorded key milestones, including the successful test of the ballistic missile defence system.
The government is also aiming to strengthen collaboration between DRDO and the defence industry to accelerate the development and production of indigenous weapon systems.