Rajeev Menon: created basic post from scratch - done

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{{Short description|Scientific civil service of India}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox government agency
|formed=1979
|parent_department=[[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence of India]]
|preceding1=Defence Science Service
|agency_type=Research and Development Technology Management [[Governmental]] [[Civil Service]]
|employees=7256<ref>{{cite web|url=http://persmin.gov.in/DOPT/CSWing/CRDivision/Authorised_strength_Group_%20A.htm|title=AUTHORISED STRENGTH OF CENTRAL CIVIL SERVICES – GROUP'A'|website=Persmin.gov.in|accessdate=23 December 2018}}</ref>
|chief1_name=Sameer V. Kamat<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2021885|newspaper=[[Press Information Bureau]]|title=DRDO Chairperson}}</ref>
}}

'''Defence Research and Development Service (DRDS)''' (Hindi: '''रक्षा अनुसंधान एवं विकास सेवा''') is a Central Group 'A' Civil Service<ref>{{cite web|url=http://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D2/D02adm/OMUpdationoflistdated03.04.2017.pdf|title=Subject : Update of list of Central Group 'A' Civil Services|website=Documents.doptcirculars.nic.in|accessdate=23 December 2018}}</ref> of the [[Government of India]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/drdojsp/act/DRDS/30.%20SRO8_DRDS_08.pdf |title=The Defence Research Development Rules |orig-date=1979 |date=October 2008 |publisher=Defence Research and Development Organisation |location=New Delhi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110154400/http://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/drdojsp/act/DRDS/30.%20SRO8_DRDS_08.pdf |archive-date=10 January 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> DRDS scientists are Gazetted (Group A) defence-civilian officers under the Ministry of Defence. They are responsible for developing new technologies and military hardware for the Indian defence and security forces.

==History==
The [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO) came into existence in 1958 by the merger of the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production with the Defence Science Organisation. DRDS was formed in 1979, and a separate Department of Defence Research and Development was created in 1980, which later on administered DRDO and its 52 laboratories/establishments. A senior DRDS scientist was made the Director General of DRDO, Scientific Adviser to the Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister of India) and ex officio Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development.

However in 2015, the post was bifurcated and the senior DRDS scientist held the post of Director General of DRDO and the Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development. And a younger and experienced DRDS scientist was made the Scientific Adviser to the Raksha Mantri (SA to RM).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/s-christopher-is-new-director-general-of-drdo-gs-reddy-appointed-scientific-advisor-to-defence-minister/articleshow/47461032.cms|title=S Christopher is new Director General of DRDO; GS Reddy appointed scientific advisor to Defence Minister|date=29 May 2015|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref> Further in 2015, the post of Director General, DRDO was renamed as Chairman, DRDO.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=121472|title=Modernisation of DRDO|website=Pib.nic.in|accessdate=23 December 2018}}</ref>

==Recruitment==
DRDS scientists are recruited into DRDO by one of the following means:
* Direct Recruitment through Scientist Entry Test.
* Transfer of officers from other Group A technical civil services, particularly through the [[Indian Ordnance Factories Service]].
* Deputation or on Contract of suitable scientists and technologists from other research organisations.
* Absorption in civilian capacity of technical officers from the [[Indian Armed Forces]].

==Training==
Being engaged in defence technology research and development, the DRDS scientists have to be abreast with the latest technologies around the world and are trained at the premier [[Defence Institute of Advanced Technology|Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune]]. Since the DRDS scientists also have the responsibility of managing the workforce, establishments and projects of DRDO, they are trained in management at the Institute of Technology Management, Mussoorie. They are also educated and trained at the [[Indian Institutes of Technology]], [[Indian Institutes of Management]], and [[Indian Institute of Science]], other civil and defence academies of India as well as at other foreign universities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rac.gov.in/content.php?lang=en&id=8|title=Recruitment and Assessment Centre|website=Rac.gov.in}}</ref>

==Functions==
DRDS scientists are engaged in developing defence technologies covering various fields like aeronautics, armaments, electronics, land combat engineering, life sciences, materials, missiles, and naval systems.

==Hierarchy==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+ Ranks, designations, and positions held by DRDO scientists in their career
|-
! Grade / Scale (Level on Pay Matrix)
! Posting in DRDO
! Position in Government of India
! Position in [[Order of precedence in India]]
! Pay Scale (Basic Pay)
|-

| Apex Scale (Pay Level 17)
| style="text-align:center;" | Secretary, Department of Defence R&D 
Chairman, DRDO
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Secretary to the Government of India|Secretary]]
| style="text-align:center;" | {{Centre|23}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{INRConvert|225|k|lk=on}}
|-

| Higher Administrative Grade + (Pay Level 16)
| style="text-align:center;" | Distinguished Scientist (DS) 
Director General
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Additional Secretary]]
| style="text-align:center;" | {{Centre|25}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{INRConvert|205.4|k|lk=on}}—{{INRConvert|224.4|k|lk=on}}
|-

| Higher Administrative Grade (Pay Level 15)
| style="text-align:center;" | Scientist 'H' (Outstanding Scientist) 
Director
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Additional secretary to the Government of India|Additional Secretary]]
| style="text-align:center;" | {{Centre|25}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{INRConvert|182.2|k|lk=on}}—{{INRConvert|224.1|k|lk=on}}
|-

| Senior Administrative Grade (Pay Level 14)
| style="text-align:center;" | Scientist 'G' 
Associate Director
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Joint secretary to the Government of India|Joint Secretary]]
| style="text-align:center;" | {{Centre|26}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{INRConvert|144.2|k|lk=on}}—{{INRConvert|218.2|k|lk=on}}
|-

| Selection Grade (Pay Level 13A)
| style="text-align:center;" | Scientist 'F' 
Additional Director
| style="text-align:center;" | Director
| style="text-align:center;" |
| style="text-align:center;" | {{INRConvert|131.1|k|lk=on}}—{{INRConvert|216.6|k|lk=on}}
|-

| Selection Grade (Pay Level 13)
| style="text-align:center;" | Scientist 'E' 
Additional Director
| style="text-align:center;" | Director
| style="text-align:center;" |
| style="text-align:center;" | {{INRConvert|123.1|k|lk=on}}—{{INRConvert|215.9|k|lk=on}}
|-

| Junior Administrative Grade (Pay Level 12)
| style="text-align:center;" | Scientist 'D' 
Joint Director (JAG)
| style="text-align:center;" | Deputy Secretary
| style="text-align:center;" |
| style="text-align:center;" | {{INRConvert|78.8|k|lk=on}}—{{INRConvert|209.2|k|lk=on}}
|-

| Senior Time Scale (Pay Level 11)
| style="text-align:center;" | Scientist 'C' 
Deputy Director
| style="text-align:center;" | Under Secretary
| style="text-align:center;" |
| style="text-align:center;" | {{INRConvert|67.7|k|lk=on}}—{{INRConvert|208.7|k|lk=on}}
|-

| Junior Time Scale (Pay Level 10)
| style="text-align:center;" | Scientist 'B' 
Assistant Director 
Entry-level
| style="text-align:center;" | Assistant Secretary
| style="text-align:center;" |
| style="text-align:center;" | {{INRConvert|56.1|k|lk=on}}—{{INRConvert|177.5|k|lk=on}}
|-
|}
DRDO follows the merit-based promotion system for its Group A scientists rather than the seniority-based promotion system which is followed by the other civil services of India. The merit-based promotions ensure that only the exceptionally performing scientists are promoted to higher grades irrespective of their seniority and it is common to see a junior scientist superseding his seniors. In 2014, the [[Prime Minister of India]], [[Narendra Modi]], also called for reforms at the laboratory level and asked to appoint scientists below the age of 35 to head at least five laboratories and / or establishments out of the fifty-two establishments of DRDO.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/need-5-drdo-labs-for-scientists-under-35-pm/|title=Need 5 DRDO labs for scientists under 35: Prime Minister Narendra Modi|date=20 August 2014|website=Indianexpress.com}}</ref> DRDS scientists can apply for service extension beyond the age of superannuation to ensure continuity of highly critical defence projects.

==Notable officers==
* [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]] - [[List of Presidents of India|11th President of India]]. Known as the ''"Missile Man of India"'' and the ''"People's President"''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyo.in/politics/why-apj-abdul-kalam-was-the-peoples-president/story/1/5270.html|title=Why Abdul Kalam was the 'People's President'|website=Dailyo.in}}</ref> Served as the Director General of DRDO, SA to RM and Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development from 1992 to 1999. Key architect of India's missile and space programmes. Awarded the three highest civilian honours of India: [[Bharat Ratna]], [[Padma Vibhushan]] and [[Padma Bhushan]] among numerous other accolades from within the country and abroad.
* [[Raja Ramanna]] - "''Father of the India's nuclear program''". Served as the Director General of DRDO, SA to RM and Secretary of Department of Defence R&D, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Chairman of [[Atomic Energy Commission of India|Atomic Energy Commission]], [[Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore]], [[Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay]], President, [[Indian National Science Academy]], Director, [[Bhabha Atomic Research Centre]], [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Minister of State for Defence]] and [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]]. Awarded the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and [[Padma Shri]] by the Government of India.
* [[A. Sivathanu Pillai]] - Founder CEO of [[BrahMos Aerospace]]. Receipient of Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
* [[Waman Dattatreya Patwardhan]] - Developed the solid propellant for India's first space rocket launched from Thumba, and the detonation system of India's first nuclear bomb used in [[Operation Smiling Buddha]]. Served at the Ammunition Factory Khadki, and as the first Director of [[High Energy Materials Research Laboratory]] (HEMRL) and the [[Armaments Research and Development Establishment]] (ARDE). Awarded the [[Padma Shri]] in 1974. Previously, he served as an [[IOFS]] officer at the Ammunition Factory Khadki.
* [[S. P. Chakravarti]] - Father of Electronics and Telecommunications engineering in India.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/03772063.1982.11452762|title=Prof. S.P. Chakravarti (1904–1981)|first=S. N.|last=Mitra|date=August 1, 1982|journal=IETE Journal of Research|volume=28|issue=8|pages=385–390|via=Taylor and Francis+NEJM|doi=10.1080/03772063.1982.11452762|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mallick |first=M. C. |date=1989 |title=A Survey of Research and Development in Electronics and Telecommunication in India over a Century (1850-1950) |url=https://insa.nic.in/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/IJHS/Vol24_4_5_MCMallik.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426140513/https://insa.nic.in/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/IJHS/Vol24_4_5_MCMallik.pdf |archive-date=26 April 2023 |access-date= |website=Indian National Science Academy }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://in.booksc.eu/book/53133498/850b31|title=Prof. S.P. Chakravarti (1904–1981) | Mitra, S.N. | download|website=in.booksc.eu}}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> During his tenure at DRDO, he was responsible for the founding of three major research laboratories of DRDO, viz., [[Electronics and Radar Development Establishment]] (LRDE) in Bengaluru, [[Defence Electronics Research Laboratory]] (DLRL) in Hyderabad and the [[Defence Research and Development Laboratory]] (DRDL) in Delhi. He served as the first Director of the [[Laser Science and Technology Centre]] (LASTEC) in Delhi.
* [[V. S. R. Arunachalam]] - Served as the Director General of DRDO, SA to RM and Secretary of Department of Defence R&D. Awarded the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan.
* [[V. K. Aatre]] - Served as the Director General of DRDO, SA to RM and Secretary of Department of Defence R&D. Awarded the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan.

==See also==
*[[Indian Ordnance Factories Service]]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://rac.gov.in/ Recruitment and Assessment Centre, DRDO]
*[https://diat.ac.in Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune]
*[https://www.drdo.gov.in/labs-and-establishments/institute-technology-management-itm Institute of Technology Management, Mussoorie]
*[https://drdo.gov.in/ Defence Research and Development Organisation]
*[https://mod.gov.in/ Ministry of Defence, Government of India]

[[Category:Central Civil Services (India)]]
[[Category:Defence Research and Development Organisation]]
[[Category:Ministry of Defence (India)]]
[[Category:Government of India]]
[[Category:1979 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1979]]

Defence Research and Development Service - Revision history

Rajeev Menon: created basic post from scratch - done