https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Hari Kumar R Appointed Director (R&D) at Bharat Electronics Limited – Know More About Him

An alumnus of the College of Engineering Trivandrum (B.Tech in Electronics & Communication, 1984–1989), Hari Kumar began his career at BEL and has served the company for several decades, contributing significantly to its growth in defence electronics and strategic technology planning.
Indian Masterminds Stories

New Delhi: Hari Kumar R has been appointed as Director (Research & Development) at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a key public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the proposal from the Department of Defence Production, as per an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday.

Mr Kumar, who is currently serving as General Manager, Technology Planning at BEL, will now join the company’s Board of Directors and report directly to the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD). As Director (R&D), he will be responsible for steering BEL’s research and development strategy, advancing indigenous technology, and aligning the company’s innovation roadmap with India’s “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” self-reliance initiative.

A Distinguished Career Spanning Over 35 Years

Mr Kumar joined BEL on May 1, 1989, as a Probationary Engineer, after earning his B.Tech in Electronics & Communication from the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Over the last three and a half decades, he has emerged as a prominent figure in India’s defence electronics sector, contributing to the design, development, and deployment of several cutting-edge technologies.

His technical leadership has been integral to BEL’s Development & Engineering (D&E) functions, particularly in providing manufacturing support through robust design frameworks and detailed engineering documentation.

Key Technological Milestones

Among Kumar’s most notable contributions is his work on India’s first 65-Kelvin C-band and Extended-C-band Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs), which were deployed in Satcom earth stations by VSNL and Doordarshan. He also led the development of C-Band Quad Transmit-Receive Modules for phased array radars and advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based transmitters for communication and radar systems—technologies that have since become vital to India’s defence and aerospace capabilities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Kumar spearheaded BEL’s swift response to national needs by leading the company to obtain ISO 13485:2016 Medical Standard certification in just 45 days. Under his leadership, BEL’s ICU Ventilator System underwent rapid third-party validation, and the company successfully completed Pre-Dispatch Inspection (PDI) of 30,000 ventilator systems, comprising nearly 1.5 lakh sub-systems, in a record three and a half months.

Revitalizing Operations and Fast-Tracking R&D

Between 2020 and 2022, Kumar led the turnaround of BEL’s Components Strategic Business Unit (SBU), streamlining procurement and significantly ramping up production across critical product lines. As GM (Technology Planning), he focused on expediting R&D workflows, enhancing innovation pipelines, and managing high-priority technology programs.

Recognitions and Leadership Style

Mr Kumar’s achievements have earned widespread recognition. His teams have filed multiple patent applications and have received prestigious awards including the BEL R&D Awards, SODET Awards, and Raksha Mantri Awards. Known for his collaborative leadership, Kumar values the role of every department in achieving organizational goals and credits his professional success to the mentorship of senior colleagues and the dedication of his teams.

Looking Ahead

As Director (R&D), Hari Kumar R is expected to lead BEL’s innovation strategy during a critical time when indigenization, self-reliance, and next-generation defence technologies are at the forefront of India’s national agenda.

In his new role, he will be tasked with formulating cutting-edge R&D strategies, monitoring global technology trends, and fostering innovation across BEL’s divisions to maintain its leadership in defence and electronics systems.

Selection

The selection followed a rigorous process conducted by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB), which interviewed seven candidates on February 1, 2025. Hari Kumar R was selected based on his extensive experience and proven leadership in technology planning and product development at BEL.

Among those interviewed for the prestigious post were senior officials from within BEL, including:

  • Smt. Prabha Goyal, Executive Director, National Marketing, Delhi
  • Shri Anoop Kumar Rai, Chief Scientist
  • Smt. Rashmi Kathuria, GM, SCCS, GAD & Unit Head
  • Shri Kappagantula Srinivas, GM & Unit Head
  • Shri Giriraja Nandavaram, GM, DCCS
    As well as
  • Smt. Shyamala Venkataraman, GM & Head, Corporate Technology Management, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)

About BEL

BEL is a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Established in 1954 and headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, BEL is a leading player in India’s defence electronics sector, with a strategic mandate to develop indigenous defence technologies and systems.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Jharkhand Healthcare
Doctors to Lead Change: CM Soren Appoints 160 Officials, Launches Healthcare Overhaul in Jharkhand
Bhupendra Patel Garba Navratri 2025
Navratri 2025: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Joins Garba Celebrations Across East Ahmedabad
Hindustan Copper Reports Record FY25
Hindustan Copper Reports Record FY25 Performance at 58th AGM, Proposes 29.2% Dividend 
Yamuna-Prasad
Thieves Loot IPS Officer’s Lucknow Home: ₹50,000 Cash, Jewelry – Even Bathroom Sinks Stolen
Mohan Yadav urban transformation
CM Mohan Yadav Inaugurates Urban Transformation Summit 2025, Unveils Vision for Smart and Green Cities in Madhya Pradesh
EIL MOA
EIL and IIT Kanpur Sign MoA to Develop Solar-Thermal Tech for Hydrogen Production via Ammonia Cracking
Harpreet Singh Sidhu
Senior IPS Officer Harpreet Singh Sidhu Repatriated to Punjab, Sparks Buzz Over DGP Post
IPS Rachita Juyal
Who Is IPS Rachita Juyal? Uttarakhand Officer Who Resigned After Just 10 Years, VRS Accepted by Govt
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
From Extinction to Exhilaration: The Untold Story and Future Vision of Project Cheetah | Led by IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma | Eco Warrior Awards 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Abhay Daga IPS UPSC Success Story
IIT Graduate, Microsoft Alum, Actor, to Cracking UPSC CSE: The Story of Abhay Daga
Read the inspiring journey of Abhay Daga, an IIT graduate, Microsoft alum, and actor, who cleared UPSC...
Rishav Awasthi MPPSC Risabh Awasthi MPPCS
Family’s Dream, His Determination: How Small-Town Dreamer Rishav Awasthi Conquered MPPSC 2024 with Rank 2 | Exclusive
After two failed attempts, Rishav Awasthi secured Rank 2 in MPPSC 2024, driven by family support, self-study,...
Harshita Dave MPPSC 2024
The Girl Who Turned Dreams Into a Deputy Collector Post at 22: Meet MPPSC 2024 Women Topper Harshita Dave
At just 22, Harshita Dave topped MPPSC 2024, becoming the women topper and securing Rank 5. Her journey...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Jharkhand Healthcare
Doctors to Lead Change: CM Soren Appoints 160 Officials, Launches Healthcare Overhaul in Jharkhand
Bhupendra Patel Garba Navratri 2025
Navratri 2025: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Joins Garba Celebrations Across East Ahmedabad
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
IFS Uttam Kumar Sharma Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT