New ISRO Chairman V Narayanan: Everything You Need To Know About His Education And Career – News18

Last Updated:January 08, 2025, 16:15 IST

Narayanan is the alumnus of the prestigious IIT Kharagpur where he earned an MTech degree with first rank.

The Indian government appointed Dr V Narayanan as the new head of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), marking a significant milestone in the country’s quest to establish itself as a global space superpower. Narayanan, a seasoned rocket scientist, takes over the helm of ISRO from S Somanath, who has been credited with modernizing the 54-year-old agency and making it more accessible to future generations. Let’s take a look at Narayanan’s education and career as he embarks upon a new journey with ISRO.

A Humble Beginning To Great Achievements

Dr Narayanan was Born in Melakattuvilai, a village in Kanyakumari district to a modest family. His father, C. Vanniyaperumal, was a farmer, while his mother, S. Thangammal, was a homemaker. Growing up in a rural setting, Narayanan and his siblings studied in a Tamil medium school. It was only when he was in Class IX that his village received its first electricity connection. Despite these humble beginnings, Narayanan excelled in academics, finishing as the topper in his school’s Class X exams.

First Rank In IIT Kharagpur

In 1989, Narayanan earned an MTech in cryogenic engineering at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur securing the first rank for which he received a silver medal. He later completed his PhD in aerospace engineering in 2001. His expertise in rocket propulsion, particularly in cryogenic technology, has played a crucial role in several significant ISRO missions, such as Chandrayaan 1, 2, and 3, Mangalyaan (Mars mission), and the ongoing Aditya-L1 mission (studying the sun).

Career Journey At ISRO

Narayanan’s career at ISRO began on February 1, 1984, when he joined the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) to work on solid propulsion. In 1989, he moved to the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) to focus on cryogenic propulsion, a complex area that would later become his hallmark.

He Parallely completed PhD in Aero Space Engineering from IIT-Kharagpur in 2001. The work carried out as part of the MTech thesis was directly employed in the development of Indian Cryogenic Propulsion Systems and played a pivotal role in making India one of only six countries in the world capable of developing and deploying high-performance cryogenic propulsion systems. This achievement has made India self-reliant in this critical area of space technology.

Narayanan has played a crucial role in shaping ISRO’s future direction. As the Director of LPSC, he played a significant role in the development of propulsion systems, including semi-cryogenic and electric propulsion technologies. His contributions extend to the creation of the Propulsion Road Map for ISRO, outlining plans for the next two decades (2017-2037).

Medals, Awards And Books

Narayanan’s exceptional work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Alumnus Award from IIT Kharagpur in 2018 and an Honorary Doctorate of Science (D.Sc) from Sathyabama University, Chennai, in 2017.

He is a fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and serves as a member of several national and international space and engineering bodies, such as the International Astronautical Federation’s Space Propulsion Committee.

He has also been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Silver Medal from IIT Kharagpur for his first rank in MTech, the Gold Medal from the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), and the National Design Award in 2019. Furthermore, Narayanan has published over 1,200 internal reports and 50 journal/conference papers, and contributed to several books.