Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram, Architect of India's Nuclear Program, Dies at 88

The eminent physicist played a pivotal role in India's nuclear tests and scientific advancements, leaving behind a transformative legacy.

Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram passed away on January 4, 2025, at the age of 88 in Mumbai due to age-related complications.
He was instrumental in India's nuclear weapons program, leading the Pokhran-I (1974) and Pokhran-II (1998) tests that established India as a nuclear power.
Chidambaram held several key positions, including Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, and Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
His scientific contributions extended to high-pressure physics, crystallography, and materials science, as well as the development of indigenous supercomputers and the National Knowledge Network.
Recognized with the Padma Shri (1975) and Padma Vibhushan (1999), he was a mentor to many and a visionary in applying science for national development.