All ISRO Chairman List (1963 to 2024)

All ISRO Chairman List (1963 to 2023): Sreedhara Panicker Somanath is the current and 11th chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). During his time as chairman, ISRO successfully launched Chandrayaan-3, India’s third mission to explore the moon which became a grand success. Indian Space Research Organization is India’s top space agency. It is based in Bengaluru and works under the Department of Space (DoS) of India. The chairman of ISRO leads the Department of Space and also administrates the space missions of the organization. Since 1963, ISRO has had visionary chairpersons who shaped India’s advancements in space exploration and technology.

Today, we are going to discuss All ISRO Chairmans (1963 to 2023) and their contributions in detail.

Let us discuss.

All ISRO Chairman List (1963 to 2023)

Since 1963, 11 scientists have been appointed as the chairpersons of ISRO. On January 12th, 2022, S. Somnath became the eleventh chairperson. He was appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was the Father of the Indian space program and the first ISRO Chairman. In 1962, the Indian government started studying the upper atmosphere at the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thiruvananthapuram. This work was managed by the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR). Later, in 1969, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) took over from INCOSPAR and is now based in Bangalore. Here is the detailed list of the All ISRO Chairmans as mentioned below.

All ISRO Chairman List (1963 to 2023)
ISRO Chairman Name	Tenure	Term Length
S. Somnath	2022 to Present	Incumbent
Dr. K. Sivan	2018 to 2022	3 Years
A.S. Kirar Kumar	2015 to 2018	3 Years
Dr. Shailesh Nayak (Interim Chairman)	2015	11 Days
Dr. K. Radhakrishnan	2009 to 2014	5 Years
G. Madhavan Nair	2003 to 2009	6 Years
Dr. K. Kasturirangan	1994 to 2003	9 Years
Prof. U.R. Rao	1984 to 1994	10 Years
Prof. Satish Dhawan	1972 to 1984	12 Years
Prof. M.G.K. Menon	January 1972 to September 1972	9 Months
Dr. Vikram Sarabhai	1963 to 1971	9 Years

Current Chairman Of ISRO – S. Somnath (2022 to Present)

Currently, S Somanath is serving as the Secretary of Space and the ex-officio chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation. Somanath started at VSSC in 1985 after finishing his Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from TKM College of Engineering in Kollam, Kerala. He completed his Masters in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (ISSC), Bengaluru. He is an expert in various fields including Launch vehicle design, Launch vehicle systems engineering, Structural design, Structural dynamics, Integration designs, and procedures, Mechanism design, and Pyrotechnics.

Read More: Chandrayaan-3: India’s Lunar Rover Pragyaan Takes a Walk on the Moon

Current Chairman Of ISRO – S. Somnath (2022 to Present)
Full Name	S. Somanath
Born	Thuravoor, Alappuzha district, Kerala, India
Family	Married to Valsala. Have a daughter and a son
Education	Schooling at St. Augustine’s High School, Aroor Pre-university program from Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala University Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Honorary Degree	D.Litt. (Doctor of Literature) from Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University, Dehradun
Career	Joined Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in 1985 Associated with the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle project Became associate director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Project director of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III Deputy director of Propulsion and Space Ordinance Entity Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre – Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre 11th Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Notable Achievement	Spearheaded the soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the South Pole of the lunar surface
Awards	Performance Excellence Award for GSLV Mk-III realization from ISRO Rajyotsava Award from Government of Karnataka
Successful Missions Under His Tenure	EOS-04, INS-2TD, GSAT-24, EOS-02, EOS-06, INS-2B, EOS-07, NVS-01, Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, XPoSat, INSAT-3DS
Major Upcoming Missions Under His Tenure	Gaganyaan and NISAR

Read More: XPoSat – X-ray Polarimeter Satellite

First Chairman Of ISRO – Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (1963 to 1971)

Vikram Sarabhai was an Indian scientist who helped with space research and nuclear power. He was born on August 12, 1919, and died on December 30, 1971. He received awards like Padma Bhushan in 1966 and Padma Vibhushan in 1972. Sarabhai came from a well-known family in India that supported independence. He married Mrinalini in 1942, and they had two children, Mallika and Kartikeya. He studied at Gujarat College and then went to the University of Cambridge, England. There he finished his studies in natural sciences. In 1947, Sarabhai started the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in India, focusing on cosmic rays. He was interested in science, sports, and statistics. He established institutions like the Nehru Foundation for Development, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), and the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts with his wife. He started projects like the Fast Breeder Test Reactor, the Variable Energy Cyclotron Project, and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). His work led to the launch of India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975. Sarabhai played a key role in advancing science and technology in India.

First Chairman Of ISRO – Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (1963 to 1971)
Full Name	Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai
Date of Birth	August 12, 1919
Place of Birth	Ahmedabad, Bombay Presidency, British India
Date of Death	December 30, 1971
Place of Death	Halcyon Castle, Trivandrum
Spouse	Mrinalini Sarabhai (married in 1942)
Children	Mallika Sarabhai (daughter), Kartikeya Sarabhai (son)
Parent	Ambalal Sarabhai (father)
Alma Mater	University of Cambridge (BA, PhD)
Known For	Indian space program, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
Awards	Padma Bhushan (1966), Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) (1972)
Professional Positions	Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman of the Indian National Committee for Space Research Chairperson of the Atomic Energy Commission of India
Institutions	Indian Space Research Organisation, Physical Research Laboratory

M.G.K. Menon (January -September, 1972)

His work on cosmic rays and particle physics, especially studying how elementary particles interact at high energies.

• He played a crucial role in developing the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai.
• He received the Abdus Salam Award for his contributions to science and was a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
• In late 2008, an asteroid was named 7564 Gokumenon in his honor.

Satish Dhawan (1972-1984)

In 1972, he became the Chairman of ISRO after Vikram Sarabhai. Under his leadership, India saw the launch of important systems like INSAT and PSLV.

• He was a leading researcher in turbulence and boundary layers.
• He earned the title of the father of experimental fluid dynamics research in India.

Udupi Ramachandra Rao (1984-1994)

He brought satellite technology to India in 1972 and designed India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975.

• He chaired the Governing Council of the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad and the Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru.
• He was chancellor of the Indian Institute for Space Science and Technology.
• People call him ‘The Satellite Man of India’.

Krishna Swami Kasturirangan (1994-2003)

Under his leadership, ISRO achieved significant milestones with PSLV and GSLV rockets.

• He led projects for India’s first earth observation satellites, BHASKARA-I and II.
• He also directed the National Institute of Advanced Sciences, Bangalore.
• He was honored with Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan awards.

Shri G. Madhavan Nair (2003-2009)

Chandrayaan-1 was launched when Madhavan Nair was the chairman. Under his leadership, ISRO did 25 successful missions.

• He got Padma Vibhushan in 2009 and chaired the Indian Institute of Technology, Patna.
• He also led the Space Commission and Antrix Corporation.

K. Radhakrishnan (2009-2014)

India sent its first mission to another planet. The Mars mission was launched under his tenure. It is known as ‘Mangalyaan,’ that was led by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan.

• Before that, from 2000 to 2005, Dr. Radhakrishnan served as the Director of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) within the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Shri A. S. Kiran Kumar (2015-2018)

He did a great job by launching Chandrayaan-1 and the Mars Orbiter Mission for India.

• He oversaw the development of INRVS and GAGAN.
• He received the Padma Sri award in 2014.
• He also worked as a director at the Ahmedabad Space Application Centre.

K. Sivan (2018-2022)

During his time in charge, he oversaw the launch of Chandrayaan-2 and the advancement of India’s human spaceflight program.

• Before that, he held key positions at ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
• Sivan joined ISRO in 1982, mainly focusing on designing and developing launch vehicles like the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
• He later became the director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in 2014.
• He received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Sathyabama University in 2014.
• Then, in 2015, he became the Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
• In 2018, Sivan was appointed as the chief of ISRO.
• During his tenure, Chandrayaan-2 was launched in 2019.
• Though the lander and rover faced challenges, the orbiter remains operational around the Moon as of September 2023.

Read More: Chandrayaan 2 Mission Essay: Objective, Success

ISRO Chairman Salary

As per the seventh central pay commission report, the ISRO Chairman receives a monthly salary of 2 lakh rupees with accommodation and 3 lakh rupees without accommodation. Additionally, the ISRO Chairman is entitled to various perks and benefits as per government policies.

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) – Overview

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is India’s space research agency. It works as the research and development branch of the Department of Space, which is directly supervised by the Prime Minister of India. Sreedhara Panicker Somanath is the current and 11th chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) – Overview
Establishment	Founded in 15th August, 1969
Headquarters	Bengaluru, India
First Chairman	Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
Current Chairman	Sreedhara Panicker Somanath
Preceding Agency	INCOSPAR (1962–1969)
Primary Spaceports	SDSC, TERLS
Jurisdiction	Department of Space
Main Objectives	Space exploration, satellite development, research, and development
Notable Achievements	Launching satellites, interplanetary missions, Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions, Adity L1
Budget	Rs 13,042.75 crore (Fiscal year 2024-25)
International Collaboration	Collaborates with space agencies worldwide for satellite launches and research.

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FAQs – All ISRO Chairman List (1963 to 2023)

Who is the chairman of ISRO 2024 full name?

Sreedhara Panicker Somanath is the chairman of ISRO 2024.

Who is the first chairman of ISRO?

Vikram Sarabhai, regarded as the founder of the Indian space programme, served as ISRO’s first chairman.

Who was the CEO of ISRO in 2013?

Koppillil Radhakrishnan (born 29 August 1949) is an Indian space scientist who headed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) between November 2009 and December 2014 as Chairman of Space Commission, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of ISRO.

What is the name of 1969 ISRO?

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was established in August 1969, in place of INCOSPAR. The Government of India constituted the Space Commission and established Department of Space (DOS) in June 1972 and brought ISRO under DOS in September 1972.

Who was the chairman of ISRO in 1970?

Vikram Sarabhai served of PRL from 1966-1971. He was also Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. He along with other Ahmedabad-based industrialists played a major role in the creation of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

What is the name of ISRO 1962?

The Indian National Committee for Space Research or INCOSPAR was set up in 1962 by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on the suggestion of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.

Who is next ISRO chairman?

Alumnus Shri S Somanath has been appointed as the next Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Space Commission.