Dr. Anil Kakodkar

A Profile of Excellence and Nation Building

Dr. Anil Kakodkar is one of India’s most distinguished nuclear scientists and a visionary leader in strategic science and education. As a key architect of India’s nuclear programme, he has been instrumental in securing the nation's energy future and technological self-reliance.

Association with the Sharad Pawar Inspire Fellowship

Dr. Kakodkar has been centrally associated with the Sharad Pawar Inspire Fellowship (SPIF) since its inception 2021.
He serves as the President of the Advisory Board for the fellowship.

Inception & Vision:

The fellowship was conceptualized under his guidance to nurture young talent in Maharashtra. It focuses on three critical pillars of nation-building: Agriculture, Literature, and Education.

Through his leadership, the program provides a platform for youth to develop leadership skills and innovative solutions, bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern technology

Dr Anil Kakodkar is Mechanical Engineer. Graduated from VJTI (Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute), University of Mumbai, in 1963.
Post-Graduation Master’s degree in Experimental Stress Analysis from the University of Nottingham, UK (1969)
Training: Topped his batch at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Training School in 1964.

Professional Milestones
Nuclear Leadership

BARC: Joined in 1964; served as Director of BARC from 1996 to 2000.
AEC India: Served as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary to the Government of India (DAE) from 2000 to 2009.
Strategic Tests: He was a core member of the teams behind both Pokhran-I (1974) and Pokhran-II (1998) nuclear tests.

The Three-Stage Nuclear Programme.

Dr. Kakodkar is the primary advocate for India's indigenous Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme, specifically focusing on the utilization of Thorium.

  • Stage I: Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
  • Stage II: Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs).
  • Stage III: Thorium-based reactors (using the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor design he championed).
Contributions to Nation Building & Education

IIT Reforms: Chaired the "Kakodkar Committee," which recommended pivotal reforms to increase the research output and autonomy of the IITs.
Served as a Director on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Awards and Honours
  • Padma Vibhushan (2009)
  • Padma Bhushan (1999)
  • Padma Shri (1998)
  • Maharashtra Bhushan 2011