Anil Kakodkar, obtained his BE Hons. (Mech. Engineering) degree from the Bombay University in 1963 and M.Sc. in the Experimental Stress Analysis from the Nottingham University in 1969. He joined the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in 1964 after securing top rank at the training school, became the Director of BARC in the year 1996 and was in the apex leadership role as the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy, for nine long years during 2000 -2009.
India’s atomic energy programme received significant boost through contributions and leadership of Dr. Kakodkar. Undeterred by the restrictions imposed by the international community, he succeeded realising several key developments for India. He conceptualised and built Dhruva, one of the largest research reactors in the world and was among the key top individuals responsible for the peaceful nuclear explosion experiment in the year 1974 and nuclear weapons tests in 1998. He also pioneered indigenous development of PHWR power reactor system and design and development of AHWR that would use thorium. India also demonstrated nuclear submarine powerpack technology under Kakodkar’s leadership.
Post superannuation, Dr Kakodkar continues to be active in several aspects of energy, education, and societal development. Development of CILLAGE, a concept for sustainably bridging the urban rural divide being one among them. Several reports of national importance have been brought out by committees chaired by him. He also chairs Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission of Govt. of Maharashtra along with many other bodies.
Dr Kakodkar has been felicitated with all the three Padma awards as well as the apex State awards from Govts. Of Goa, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, besides numerous others.