Person In News: M R Srinivasan

Dr. M R Srinivasan (5 January 1930 – 20 May 2025), a stalwart of the Indian nuclear energy programme died at the age of 95 recently.

About Dr Malur Ramasamy Srinivasan

• Career as a Nuclear Scientist:
  • He joined the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in 1955 under the leadership of Dr. Homi Bhabha.
  • Young Dr Srinivasan played a key role in construction of India’s first nuclear research reactor, Apsara, which achieved criticality in August 1956.
  • He was appointed Principal Project Engineer for the construction of India’s first atomic power station at Tarapur in 1959. 
  • He was the chief project engineer for the Madras Atomic Power Station
  • Year 1987: Dr. Srinivasan was appointed the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (ARC) and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DEA).
    • He also became the founding Chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
  • Architect of India’s Civil Nuclear Programme: During Dr. Srinivasan tenure, India’s nuclear infrastructure underwent remarkable expansion with 18 nuclear power units being developed under his guidance.
    • Self Reliance: Dr. Srinivasan was instrumental in the indigenisation of nuclear technology by refining and adapting the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors in India’s Nuclear Programme.
• Advisory Roles: 
  • Dr. Srinivasan was a senior advisor at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna from 1990 to 1992.
  • He was a Member of the Planning Commission, Government of India from 1996 to 1998, looking after the portfolios of Energy, and Science & Technology. 
  • He was a Member of India’s National Security Advisory Board from 2002 to 2004 and again from 2006 to 2008.
• Institutional Role: 
  • He was a Founder Member of World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO)
  • Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering and Institution of Engineers (India) and Emeritus Fellow of Indian Nuclear Society.
• Awards and Recognition: 
• • Dr. Srinivasan was awarded the Padma Shri (1984), Padma Bhushan (1990) and Padma Vibhushan (2015) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to India’s nuclear energy program.