Who is V Narayanan: IIT Graduate to Take Over as ISRO Chief After S Somanath

Jan 8, 2025, 09:25 IST

The Modi government has appointed V Narayanan as the new Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space. He will take over from S Somanath on January 14, 2025, when Somanath's term ends. Learn more about V Narayanan and his remarkable career.

Narayanan joined ISRO in 1984 and has almost 40 years of experience in India’s space program.
Narayanan joined ISRO in 1984 and has almost 40 years of experience in India’s space program.

Modi government has appointed V Narayanan as the new chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space. He will take over the office from S Somanath on January 14, 2025, when Somanath's term ends. 

As per an official order by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on January 7, 2025, Narayanan's tenure will be for two years.

Who is ISRO’s New Chief?

Mr. V Narayanan studied in Tamil-medium schools. He earned his M.Tech in Cryogenic Engineering and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kharagpur. He was awarded a Silver Medal for securing the top rank in the M.Tech program. 

Narayanan joined ISRO in 1984 and has almost 40 years of experience in India’s space program. He is an expert in rocket and spacecraft propulsion. Throughout his career, he has played important roles in ISRO, including leading the development of liquid, semi-cryogenic, and cryogenic propulsion systems used in rockets.

V Narayanan Career

The Cabinet's Appointments Committee announced that Mr. V Narayanan, head of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiamala, will be the new ISRO Chief for a two-year term. He will also serve as the Chairman of the Space Commission. Mr. Narayanan played a key role in developing India’s cryogenic engine technology, which was previously not shared with India by other countries.

Mr. Narayanan is one of ISRO’s senior scientists and leads the LPSC, which works on developing liquid, semi-cryogenic, and cryogenic propulsion systems for rockets, as well as propulsion and control systems for satellites.

Over his career, he has contributed to major ISRO missions like the GSLV Mk-III and the Aditya Spacecraft. His achievements have earned him several awards, including the Distinguished Alumni Award from IIT Kharagpur and the Shri Award from the Astronautical Society of India.

Vidhee Tripathi
Vidhee Tripathi

Content Writer

Vidhee Tripathi completed her PG Diploma degree in Digital Media from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. She is a graduate in Science with chemistry honors from Banaras Hindu University. She has 2 years of experience in various aspects of journalism. She was previously associated with the social media wing of Akashvani. At jagranjosh.com, currently she covers current affairs, national news and international news. She is also associated with the education news section of Jagran Josh.

Certificate: Creative Writing, Problem Solving, Web Content Writing
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