ISRO Chairman List (1963 to 2023): Name & Working Period: Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is India’s Space Agency which has its headquarters in Bengaluru. ISRO’s parent organisation is the Department of Space, to which it reports. The Chairman of ISRO is also a DOS executive.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 2023
During the period from 1963 to 2023, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has led by a series of visionary chairmen who have played a pivotal role in shaping India’s space exploration and technology endeavours. These chairmen have presided over ISRO’s incredible journey from humble beginnings to becoming a worldwide recognised space organisation, including milestones such as satellite launches, interplanetary missions, and multinational collaborations.
List of ISRO Chairman from 1963 to 2023
There have been 11 ISRO Chairpersons appointed since 1963. On 12 January 2022, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed S. Somnath as the eleventh chairman of the ISRO. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was the first IRSO Chairman.
| S.No. | ISRO Chairman | Tenure | Length of Term |
| 1. | Dr. Vikram Sarabhai | 1963 to 1971 | 9 years |
| 2. | Prof. M.G.K. Menon | Jan. 1972 to Sep. 1972 | 9 months |
| 3. | Prof. Satish Dhawan | 1972 to 1984 | 12 years |
| 4. | Prof. U.R. Rao | 1984 to 1994 | 10 years |
| 5. | Dr. k. kasturirangan | 1994 to 2003 | 9 years |
| 6. | G. Madhavan Nair | 2003 to 2009 | 6 years |
| 7. | Dr. k. Radhakrishnan | 2009 to 2014 | 5 years |
| 8. | Dr. Shailesh Nayak | 2015 to 2015 | 11 days |
| 9. | A.S. Kirar Kumar | 2015 to 2018 | 3 years |
| 10. | Dr. K. Sivan | Jan. 2018 to Jan. 2022 | 3 years |
| 11. | S. Somnath | 12 Jan. 2022 to Present | Incumbent |
Some facts related to Chairpersons of ISRO:
Vikram Sarabhai (1963 to 1972):
He is considered as the father of the Indian Space Program. Vikaram Sarabhai established three institutions:
- Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad.
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad.
- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.
- Faster Breeder Test Reactor, Kalpakkam.
M.G.K. Menon (Jan-Sep 1972):
He was known for his work on cosmic rays and particle physics, particularly on the high-energy inter-actions of elementary particles.
- He was instrumental in establishing the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai.
- He won the Abdus Salam Award and was a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
- The asteroid 7564 Gokumenon was named in his honour in late 2008.
Satish Dhawan (1972-1984):
- He succeeded Vikram Sarabhai as Chairman of ISRO in 1972. In India, his efforts resulted in functioning systems such as INSAT and PSLV.
- He was one of the most eminent researchers in the field of turbulence and boundary layers.
- He was regarded as the father of experimental fluid dynamics research in India.
Udupi Ramachandra Rao (1984-1994):
He took the responsibility for the establishment of satellite technology in India in 1972. He was the primary designer of the first Indian satellite, ‘Aryabhata,’ in 1975.
He was also the chairman of the Governing Council of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad and Nehru Planetarium at Bengaluru and chancellor of the Indian Institute for Space Science and Technology.
- He is also known as ‘The Satellite Man of India’.
Krishna Swami Kasturirangan (1994-2003):
Under his leadership, ISRO has witnessed several major milestones in the name of PSLV and GSLV. He was also the Project Director for BHASKARA-I and II, India’s first two experimental earth observation satellites. He was also the director of the National Institute of Advanced Sciences, Bangalore.
- He is a recipient of three major civilian awards: the Padma Shri, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan.
Shri G. Madhavan Nair (2003-2009):
Chandrayaan-1 was launched under the chairmanship of Madhavan Nair. During his tenure, ISRO accomplished 25 successful missions.
- In 2009, he received the Padma Vibhushan award.
- He was the chairman of the Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Technology, Patna.
- He was also the chairman of the Space Commission and chairman of the Governing Body of the Antrix Corporation.
K. Radhakrishnan (2009-2014):
India’s first interplanetary mission ‘Mangalyaan’ was launched under the leadership of Dr. K. Radhakrishnan.
- From 2000 to 2005, he worked for the Ministry of Earth Sciences as the Director of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).
Shri A S Kiran Kumar (2015-2018):
He has done a commendable job in the launch of Chandrayaan-1 and Mars Orbiter Mission of India. Indian National Regional Navigation System (INRVS) and GAGAN have been developed under his supervision.
- H was honoured with India’s fourth highest civilian award, Padma Sri in 2014.
- He also served as a director of Ahmedabad Space Application Centre.
K. Sivan (2018-2022):
- During his tenure, he oversaw the launch of Chandrayaan-2 and the acceleration of India’s human space mission.
- He also served as the director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
S. Somnath (Jan.2022 to present):
S. Somnath has been appointed as the eleventh chairperson of the ISRO by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
- Somnath also served as the director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
- He is also known for his contributions to launch vehicle design, particularly in the areas of launch vehicle systems
