Prof. V. Kamakoti, the Director of IIT Madras, has been named a recipient of the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors, in the 2026 awards list. A pioneer in computer science, Prof. Kamakoti has dedicated the award to the collective mission of “Viksit Bharat @ 2047.” This recognition celebrates his transformative leadership in the Shakti Processor Project—India’s first indigenous microprocessor—and his critical advisory roles with the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) and CDAC. His work is widely regarded as a cornerstone of India’s technological self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in strategic electronics and cybersecurity.
