Professor Abhay Karandikar, Director of Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K), has been appointed as Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Appointment of Karandikar, one of country’s leading telecommunications experts, fills the empty chair in the department following a two-month stop-gap in the department.
Karandikar, 58, before joining DST was with IIT-K for five years. He joined IIT Bombay in 1997. There he served as the Dean of Faculty Affairs from February 2017- April 2018 and the Head of the Electrical Engineering Department from January, 2012 to January, 2015. He also served as the Professor-in- charge of IIT Bombay Research Park between 2014-17. He was the Head of Computer Center of IIT Bombay from August 2008 to July 2011.
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The role of DST Secretary became open when S Chandrasekhar left unexpectedly for personal reasons. Over the last two months, Rajesh Gokhale, the Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, took on the additional responsibility of handling this vacant position.
Karandikar’s appointment as DST Secretary is seen as a positive move by the scientific community. He is known for his strong advocacy for research and innovation, and his commitment to making science and technology accessible to all.
“It is a great opportunity to be able to work at the national level and I am thankful that the government has expressed confidence in me. I would like to work in the role to the best of my abilities,” said Karandikar to The Indian Express.
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