New Delhi: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a one-year extension in service for Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). His extended tenure will now continue from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, or until further orders.
Dr. Kamat, who assumed charge as DRDO chief in August 2022, has been a driving force behind India’s push for self-reliance in defence technology, playing a key role in advancing indigenous capabilities in missile systems, unmanned platforms, aerospace technologies, and advanced materials under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
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An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and The Ohio State University, USA, Dr. Kamat joined DRDO in 1989 and has served in various leadership roles, including Director General (Naval Systems and Materials). He was previously granted a one-year extension in May 2024.
He is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and the Institution of Engineers India (IEI). His accolades include the Distinguished Alumni Award from IIT Kharagpur, the Metallurgist of the Year Award from the Ministry of Steel, and DRDO’s Scientist of the Year Award.
His continued leadership is expected to bolster DRDO’s ongoing projects and strategic initiatives across the defence sector.
About DRDO
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is India’s primary agency for developing defense technologies and systems. Established in 1958, it operates under the Ministry of Defence. DRDO’s mission is to design, develop, and produce state-of-the-art weapon systems and platforms, ultimately enhancing India’s self-reliance in defense.
