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{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
{{Short description|Indian physicist}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox scientist
| name              = Raja Ramanna
| name              =Raja Ramanna
| image            = RajaRamannaPic.jpg
| image            =RajaRamannaPic.jpg
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| birth_date        = {{Birth date|df=yes|1925|1|28}}
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| birth_place      = [[Tiptur]], [[Princely State of Mysore]], [[British India]] (now in [[Tumkur district]], [[Karnataka]], India)
| birth_date        ={{Birth date|df=yes|1925|1|28}}
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2004|09|24|1925|01|28}}
| birth_place      =[[Tiptur]], [[Princely State of Mysore]], [[British India]]
| death_place      = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| death_date        ={{Death date and age|df=yes|2004|09|24|1925|01|28}}
| citizenship      = India
| death_place      =[[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| nationality       = Indian
| residence        =India
| office            = Director General of [[Defence research and development organisation]]
| citizenship       =India
| term              = 1978-1982
| nationality       =[[People of India|Indian]]
| predecessor       = [[MGK Menon]]
| fields           =[[Physics]]
| successor        = [[VSR Arunachalam]]
| workplaces       =[[Bhabha Atomic Research Centre]]<br>[[Defence Research and Development Organisation]]<br>[[International Atomic Energy Agency]]<br>[[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]]<br>[[National Institute of Advanced Studies]]
| module              = {{Infobox scientist
| alma_mater        =[[Bishop Cotton Boys School|Bishop Cotton Boys' School Bengaluru]]<br> [[St Joseph's College, Bangalore|St. Joseph's College]]<br>[[Madras Christian College]]<br> [[University of Mumbai]]<br>[[King's College London]], United Kingdom
| embed              = yes
| doctoral_advisor  =
| fields             = [[Nuclear Physics]]
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| doctoral_students =
| notable_students  =
| known_for        =[[Indian nuclear programme|India's nuclear program]]<br>[[Operation Smiling Buddha]]<br>[[Pokhran-II|Operation Shakti]]
| author_abbrev_bot =
| author_abbrev_zoo =
| influences        =
| influenced        =
| awards            =[[Padma Shri]] (1968)<br> [[Padma Bhushan]] (1973)<br>[[Padma Vibhushan]] (1975)
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'''Raja Ramanna''' (28 January 1925&nbsp;– 24 September 2004) was an [[People of India|Indian]] [[physicist]] who is best known for his role in [[India and weapons of mass destruction|India's nuclear program]] during its early stages.
| alma_mater        = {{ubl|[[Bishop Cotton Boys School]]|[[Madras Christian College]]|[[University of Madras]]|[[University of Mumbai]]|[[King's College London]]}}
 
| known_for        = {{ubl|[[Indian nuclear programme|India's nuclear program]]|[[Operation Smiling Buddha]]|[[Pokhran-II|Operation Shakti]]}}
{{Short description|Indian physicist}}
| awards            = {{ubl|[[Padma Shri]] (1968)|[[Padma Bhushan]] (1973)|[[Padma Vibhushan]] (1975)}}
 
}}
Having joined the [[India and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear program]] in 1964, Ramanna worked under [[Homi Jehangir Bhabha]], and later became the director of this program in 1967. Ramanna expanded and supervised scientific research on [[nuclear weapons]] and was the first directing officer of the small team of scientists that supervised and carried out the [[nuclear testing|test]] of the nuclear device, under the codename ''[[Smiling Buddha]]'', in 1974.<ref name="Ramanna">{{cite web | url=http://www.barc.gov.in/leaders/rammana.html | title=Dr. Ramanna | publisher=BARC: GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY, BABHA ATOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE. | work=BARC | access-date=11 November 2012}}</ref>
'''Raja Ramanna''' (28 January 1925 &ndash; 24 September 2004) was an Indian [[nuclear physicist]]. He was the director of [[India and weapons of mass destruction|India's nuclear program]] in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which culminated in [[Smiling Buddha]], India's first successful [[nuclear weapon]] [[Nuclear weapons testing|test]] on 18 May 1974.
 
Ramanna was associated with and directed [[India and weapons of mass destruction|India's nuclear program]] for more than four decades, and also initiated industrial defence programmes for the [[Indian Armed Forces]]. He was a recipient of [[Padma Vibhushan]], India's second highest civilian decoration, in honour of his services to build India's nuclear programme. Ramanna died in [[Mumbai]] in 2004 at the age of 79.<ref name="condolence ">{{cite web | url=http://www.dae.nic.in/?q=node/223 | title=Dr. Raja Ramanna's death news. | publisher=Government of India- Department of Atomic Energy | access-date=13 November 2012}}</ref>


==Education==
Ramanna obtained his bachelor's degree in [[Physics]] at [[Madras University]] and [[PhD]] from [[King's College, London]]. He joined the [[Tata Institute of Fundamental Research]] and later the [[Bhabha Atomic Research Centre]] (BARC) to work on [[nuclear physics]]. Ramanna worked under [[Homi Jehangir Bhabha]], whom he had met earlier in 1944. He joined the [[India and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear program]] in 1964, and later became the director of this program in 1967. Ramanna expanded and supervised scientific research on nuclear weapons and was in charge of the team of scientists at [[Bhabha Atomic Research Centre]] (BARC) that designed and carried out the testing of the first nuclear device in 1974. Ramanna was associated with India's nuclear program for more than four decades, and also facilitated research for the [[Indian Armed Forces]].


Raja Ramanna was born in beginning of 1925 to Rukmini and Ramanna in Tumkur, in the [[princely state]] of Mysore Ruled by British. The parents having recognised his talent for music early in life were instrumental in introducing him to classical European music.  Beginning his studies at [[Bishop Cotton Boys School|Bishop Cotton Boys' School]], [[Bangalore]], where he mostly studied literature and classical music, he later attended [[Madras Christian College]] and resided at St. Thomas's Hall where he continued his interests in arts and literature but soon shifted back to physics. At Madras Christian College, Ramanna obtained a [[Bachelor of Science|BSc]] in [[Physics]] and gained a [[Bachelor of science|Ba]] degree in Classical music in 1947.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
He served in various roles such as  Secretary for Defence Research, [[Government of India]] (1978–81), Scientific Adviser to the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]] (1978–81), Director-general of [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (1978–82), Chairman of [[Atomic Energy Commission of India|Atomic Energy Commission]] (1983–87) and Secretary of the [[Department of Atomic Energy (India)|Department of Atomic Energy]] (1983–87). He later became the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Minister of state for defence]] in 1990. He served as a [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]], [[Rajya Sabha]] from 1997 to 2003. Towards the later part of his career, he advocated against [[nuclear proliferation]] and testing.


In 1947 Ramanna went on to attend [[University of Mumbai|Bombay University]] where he gained his [[Master of Science|MSc]] in Physics, followed by [[Master of Music|M.Mus.]] in [[Music theory]]. Ramanna was awarded a [[Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan|Commonwealth Scholarship]], and travelled to Great Britain in 1952 to complete his doctorate. Ramanna attended [[University of London|London University]]'s [[King's College London|King's College]] and enrolled in a doctoral programme there. In 1954, Raja Ramanna obtained a PhD in [[Nuclear Physics]] and also a [[Royal Schools of Music|LRSM]] from King's College London. In the United Kingdom, Ramanna was invited to do his research at the [[Atomic Energy Research Establishment]] (AERE) where he gained expertise in nuclear fuel cycles and reactor designing. While in the UK, Ramanna continued his interest in European music and [[Western philosophy]], attending Opera and Orchestra performances every week.
Ramanna was associated with various academic institutions. He was the founder-director of [[National Institute of Advanced Studies]] and served as the chairman of board of governors at [[IIT Bombay]]. He has been awarded multiple [[honorary doctorate]]s by various universities. He was awarded the [[Padma Vibhushan]], India's second highest civilian decoration, in 1975. Ramanna died in [[Mumbai]] in 2004 at the age of 79.


European music and philosophy remained a lifelong passion for Ramanna, and after returning to India, Ramanna accomplished himself by performing classical European music at many public concerts in India and abroad. Ramanna also had a keen ear for Indian classical music. His musical talents also received wide appreciation in neighbouring Pakistan. In 1956, Ramanna was invited by the [[National College of Arts]] and [[National Academy of Performing Arts]] to perform and lecture on the classical piano with a live ensemble and received jubilant praise and honour for his performance.
== Early life and education ==
Raja Ramanna was born on 28 January 1925 to Rukmini and Ramanna in [[Tiptur]], [[Princely State of Mysore]], [[British India]] (now in [[Tumkur district]], [[Karnataka]], India).<ref name="NYT">{{cite news|title=Raja Ramanna, 79, Indian Nuclear Scientist, Dies|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/26/world/asia/raja-ramanna-79-indian-nuclear-scientist-dies.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=1 April 2024|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=26 September 2004}}</ref> His father was working in the judicial department. Ramanna claimed to have been influenced by his mother's sister Rajamma, who was a government teacher. He did his early schooling at Dalvoy School and Good Shepherd Convent in [[Mysore]] before moving to [[Bishop Cotton Boys School|Bishop Cotton Boys' School]] in [[Bangalore]]. Ramanna was interested in music from a young age and began taking [[piano]] lessons at the age of six. He auditioned in front of the [[Maharaja of Mysore]] at the age of 12.<ref name="Gov"/>


==Indian nuclear programme==
He later attended [[Madras Christian College]], where he graduated with a [[Bachelor of Science|BSc]] in [[physics]] from the [[University of Madras]] in 1945.<ref name="Brit">{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Raja-Ramanna|title=Raja Ramanna|publisher=[[Britannica]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> Ramanna obtained his master's degree from [[University of Mumbai|Bombay University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.mu.ac.in/alumni.html|title=Distinguished Alumni|publisher=[[Mumbai University]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> In 1949, he completed his [[PhD]] in [[nuclear physics]] from [[King's College London|King's College]] in [[London]] on a scholarship from [[Tata Group]].<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2004/oct/01/guardianobituaries.obituaries|title=Raja Ramanna, Scientific mastermind behind India's nuclear tests|work=Guardian|access-date=1 December 2023|date=2004}}</ref><ref name="IT">{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20080421-the-energiser-735987-2008-04-10|title=The energiser|work=[[India Today]]|date=10 April 2008|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
{{Main|India and weapons of mass destruction}}
{{See also|Pokhran-I|Pokhran-II}}


Ramanna was one of the secretive personalities surrounding the [[Indian nuclear programme]], a programme started and envisioned by [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] in 1947, and being directed by [[Homi J. Bhabha]]. After his doctorate in physics, Ramanna returned in 1954 to India, where he joined the senior technical staff of [[Bhabha Atomic Research Centre]] (BARC), where he worked under Homi J. Bhabha in classified nuclear weapons projects.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-heroes/raja-ramanna.html | title=Raja Ramanna Biography | access-date=11 November 2012}}</ref>
== Career ==
=== Early career (1949-59) ===
Ramanna had met [[Homi J. Bhabha]] in 1944 and was inspired by his work.<ref name="Gov"/> In 1949, Ramanna joined [[Tata Institute of Fundamental Research]] to work under Bhabha. In 1952, he started working on the [[Indian nuclear programme]] at the Atomic Energy Establishment in [[Trombay]] (later renamed as [[Bhabha Atomic Research Centre]] (BARC)).<ref name="Brit"/><ref name="IT"/> In 1957, the first research [[nuclear reactor]] ''Apsara'' became operational at BARC and Ramanna was part of the team working on the same. He was working on [[neutron emission]] studies and research on [[nuclear fission]].<ref name="Gov"/> In July 1958, then [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] authorized "Project Phoenix" to produce [[Weapons-grade nuclear material|weapon grade Plutonium]].<ref name="History">{{cite web|last=Sublette|first=Carey|title=Origins of Indian nuclear program|url=http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/India/IndiaOrigin.html|publisher=Nuclear weapon Archive|access-date=13 November 2011}}</ref> In 1957, Ramanna established a training school at BARC to facilitate training of scientists in [[nuclear physics]].<ref name="IT"/>


While Bhaba dedicated to develop this programme, Ramanna inducted by to choose the preferable nuclear test site to carry out the weapon-testing experiments. The exact dates are unknown, but Ramanna chose and began the underground construction of nuclear test site at an Indian Army base, the Pokhran Test Range (PTR). After the disastrous death of Homi Bhaba, Ramanna was immediately elevated to become the directing officer of this programme. Ramanna, serving as the CDO of BARC, began to take initiate to develop the first nuclear weapon. At BARC, the initial designing of nuclear weapon was completed under his guidance and the necessary nuclear weapons' explosive material for this weapon was completed under Ramanna by 1970. As the first nuclear device was completed and developed under his guidance, Ramanna went to [[Indian Prime Minister's Office]], where he had notified [[Indian Prime Minister|Indian premier]] [[Indira Gandhi]] about the successful development of the nuclear device.
=== Heading the nuclear programme (1960-69) ===
In the early 1960s, he was involved in learning and development of know-how to manufacture nuclear weapons. After Bhabha's unexpected death in 1966, the design work on the [[atomic bomb]] proceeded under Ramanna, who took charge of the nuclear weapons technology research.<ref name="Program">{{cite web|title=On to Weapons Development, 1960–67|url=http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/India/IndiaWDevelop.html|publisher=Nuclear Weapon Archive|access-date=14 January 2013|date=30 March 2001}}</ref> When [[Indira Gandhi]] became the prime minister in 1966, the project for the design and manufacturing of the nuclear device proceeded secretly.<ref name="Kanavi">{{cite web|last=Kanavi|first=Shivanand|title=How Indian PMs reacted to nuclear bombs|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-an-interview-with-k-subrahmanyam/20110210.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=2 April 2024|archive-date=15 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115120835/https://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-an-interview-with-k-subrahmanyam/20110210.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The program employed 75 scientists with Ramanna heading the project and [[P. K. Iyengar]] serving as his deputy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nti.org/facilities/861/|title=Purnima I-II-III|date=1 September 2003|access-date=8 September 2014|work=[[Nuclear Threat Initiative]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909004708/http://www.nti.org/facilities/861/|archive-date=9 September 2014}}</ref> Later, the weapons programme was directed towards the production of [[Plutonium-239|plutonium]] rather than [[Uranium-237|uranium]] and in 1969, enough plutonium had been accumulated for the production of a single nuclear bomb.<ref name="Program"/> In 1968–69, a plutonium fueled [[fast breeder reactor]] named ''Purnima'' was established at BARC.<ref name="Bomb">{{cite web|title=India's First Bomb: 1967-1974|url=https://nuclearweaponarchive.org/India/IndiaFirstBomb.html|date=30 March 2001|publisher=Nuclear Weapon Archive|access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Richelson|first=Jefferey T|author-link=Jeffrey T. Richelson|title=Spying on the Bomb: American Nuclear Intelligence from Nazi Germany to Iran and North Korea|date=March 1999|publisher=WW Norton|page=[https://archive.org/details/spyingonbombamer00rich/page/233 233]|isbn=978-0-393-05383-8|url=https://archive.org/details/spyingonbombamer00rich/page/233}}</ref>


In 1974, Ramanna and other officials of the BARC verbally notified Indira Gandhi that India was ready to conduct the test of its small miniature nuclear device. Indira Gandhi verbally gave permission to Ramanna to carry out the test, and preparation was taken under Ramanna. Ramanna immediately travelled to [[Pokhran]] to pay a visit to the nuclear site that was constructed under his guidance. Preparations were completed under extreme secrecy and the first nuclear device was flown from Trombay to Pokhran Test Range with Ramanna. Ramanna and his team installed the nuclear device in the nuclear test site and necessary preparations were done before Indira Gandhi's visit to his site. In the morning in May 1974, Ramanna conducted the first test of a small nuclear device under codename ''[[Smiling Buddha]]''. Pictures of Indira Gandhi inspecting the aftermath of the explosion site were flashed on front pages of newspapers in India and the world over with Ramanna and Dr. [[Homi Sethna]], India's top nuclear scientist duo, by her side. Following this achievement, Ramanna gained international fame and was also honoured with India's second highest civilian award in 1975 by the Indira Gandhi's administration.
=== First nuclear test (1970-75) ===
In July 1970, physicist [[Basanti Dulal Nagchaudhuri|B. D. Nagchaudhuri]] was appointed as the scientific adviser to the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Defense Minister]] and as Director of the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO). Nagchaudhuri and Ramanna worked together to recruit the team and set up the requirements necessary for a [[nuclear weapons testing|nuclear weapon test]]. In 1971, [[Homi Sethna]] succeeded [[Vikram Sarabhai]] as the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, completing the leadership group.<ref name="Bomb"/> After India gained military and political initiative over Pakistan in the [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1971]], the work on building a nuclear device continued with Ramanna being appointed as the chairman of BARC in 1972.<ref name="Ramanna">{{cite web|url=http://www.barc.gov.in/leaders/rammana.html|title=Dr. Ramanna, profile|publisher=Bhabha Atomic Research Centre|access-date=11 November 2012|archive-date=23 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523095007/http://barc.gov.in/leaders/rammana.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Brit"/>


In 1978, Saddam Hussein approached Ramanna for help to build an Iraqi nuclear bomb. The offer came while Ramanna was in Baghdad for a week as Saddam's personal guest. He was given a tour of the capital and Iraq's main nuclear facility at Tuwaitha. At the end of the trip, Saddam invited the scientist to his office and told him: "You have done enough for your country; don't go back. Stay here and take over our nuclear programme. I will pay you whatever you want."<ref name="guardian">{{cite news | last=Pandya | first=Haresh | date=2 October 2004 | title=Raja Ramanna Biography | url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2004/oct/01/guardianobituaries.obituaries | work=The Guardian | location=London | access-date=11 November 2012}}</ref> Ramanna was shocked and scared by the Iraqi proposal. He reportedly could not sleep that night, worried that he might never see his homeland again. He took the next flight out.
The hardware for the bomb began to be built in early 1972 and the Prime Minister authorized the development of a nuclear test device in September 1972.<ref>{{cite book|last=Perkovich|first=G.|title=India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation|publisher=University of California Press|series=ACLS Humanities E-Book|year=1999|isbn=978-0-520-23210-5|page=172}}</ref> The nuclear test was planned for May 1974 with tight control being maintained on all aspects of the preparations of the test, which was conducted in extreme secrecy.<ref>{{cite book|last=Chengappa|first=Raj|title=Weapons of peace : the secret story of India's quest to be a nuclear power|year=2000|publisher=Harper Collins Publishers, India|location=New Delhi|isbn=81-7223-330-2}}</ref> The test was code named ''[[Smiling Buddha]]'' and called as a [[Peaceful nuclear explosions|Peaceful Nuclear Explosive]] (PNE).<ref name="Smiling Buddha">{{cite web|url=http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/India/IndiaSmiling.html|work=India's Nuclear Weapons Program|title=Smiling Buddha, 1974|publisher=Nuclear Weapon Archive}}</ref> A [[nuclear fission]] device was successfully detonated on 18 May 1974 at 8.05 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]].<ref name="Pahuja">{{cite book|first=Om Parkash|last=Pahuja|title=India: A Nuclear Weapon State|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GiI_Yt7SOA8C&pg=PT63|access-date=29 June 2012|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan|isbn=978-81-87100-69-0|pages=63–|year=2001}}</ref><ref name="Nuclear files archives">{{cite web|url=http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/timeline/timeline_page.php?year=1974|title=1974 Nuclear files|work=Nuclear Age Peace Foundation|publisher=Nuclear files archives|access-date=14 January 2013|archive-date=2 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702032049/http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/timeline/timeline_page.php?year=1974|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1975, Ramanna was honored with the ''[[Padma Vibhushan]]'', India's second highest civilian award.<ref name="Pause">{{cite web|title=Reaction and Long Pause|url=http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/India/IndiaPause.html|publisher=Reaction and Long Pause|access-date=15 January 2013}}</ref>


Later in his career, Ramanna advocated for the strict policies to prevent nuclear proliferation. Ramanna also travelled to Pakistan, where he attended the annual [[International Nathiagali Summer College on Physics|International Physics Conference]] to deliver a lecture on nuclear physics, notably lectures on [[nuclear force]]. Ramanna began lobbying for peace process between India and Pakistan, and was a leading force to prevent nuclear escalation in the [[South Asia|region]]. Later in the 1980s and 1990s, Ramanna served as Director General of the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO) and as scientific adviser to the Defence Minister of India in 2000. He was a member of the [[Defence Research & Development Service]] (DRDS). Ramanna also joined the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] in 1984 where he served as the President of the 30th General Conference of the IAEA.
=== Intermediate years (1975-87) ===
Ramanna served as Vice President of the [[Indian Academy of Sciences]] from 1977 to 1979 and as President of [[Indian National Science Academy]] in [[New Delhi]] from 1977 to 1978.<ref name="Gov"/> Post the test, Indira Gandhi authorized preliminary work to commence on the development of a [[nuclear fusion|fusion]] boosted fission bomb. Differences in opinion arose between Sethna and Ramanna, which affected the progress of the program.<ref name="Pause"/> In 1978, then Prime Minister [[Morarji Desai]] moved Ramanna from BARC to made him the secretary of defense research and scientific advisor to the [[Ministry of Defense (India)|Ministry of Defense]].<ref name="Pause"/> Later, he was also appointed as the Director General of DRDO.<ref name="DRDO">{{cite web|url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/our-luminaries|title=Our Luminaries|publisher=DRDO|access-date=27 August 2023|archive-date=26 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826215911/https://www.drdo.gov.in/our-luminaries|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same year, then [[President of Iraq]] [[Saddam Hussein]] approached Ramanna for help in building a nuclear bomb when Ramanna visited [[Baghdad]]. Ramanna refused and returned to India.<ref name="Guardian"/>


==Interests==
With the return of Indira Gandhi in 1980, the nuclear program gained momentum and Ramanna was re-appointed as the director of BARC.<ref name="Brit"/> She authorized Ramanna to prepare for further nuclear tests and two new shafts were constructed at the [[Pokhran|Pokhran test range]] in 1984. Ramanna pushed forward with a [[Uranium enrichment]] program and ''Dhruva'', a new reactor with a capability to produce larger quantities of weapon grade material, was constructed.<ref name="Pause"/> As a part of the nuclear programme, components for a nuclear fusion bomb were developed but no testing took place. In 1983, Ramanna was made as the secretary of Department of Atomic Energy.<ref name="DAE">{{cite web|url=https://dae.gov.in/former-secretaries/|title=Secretaries of DAE|publisher=Department of Atomic Energy|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> In 1984, he was made the chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, which he held for three years.<ref name="Brit"/> In the same year, Ramanna represented the South Asian and Middle Eastern bloc at the  [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (IAEA).<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/gc/gc28or-257_en.pdf|title=28th Regular Session|publisher=[[International Atomic Energy Agency]]|date=28 September 1984|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> Later, he served as the chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Director General of IAEA and as president of the 30th General Conference in 1986.<ref name="Gov"/> In late 1985, a study group commissioned by the Prime Minister of India consisting of Ramanna and few others, outlined a plan for the production of 70 to 100 nuclear warheads and a strict no first use policy.<ref name="Pause"/>


A multi-faceted personality, Ramanna was a gifted musician, and could play the piano as dextrously as he could speak about atomic energy. Music was close to his heart, and one of the two books he wrote was '''The Structure of Music in Raga And Western Systems''' (1993). The other was his autobiography, entitled '''Years of Pilgrimage''' (1991).<ref name="guardian" />
=== Later years (1988-2003) ===
In 1990, Ramanna was made [[Minister of State (India)|Union minister of State]] for defence in the [[V. P. Singh ministry|V. P. Singh administration]], but the government collapsed a short while later.<ref name="Brit"/> Later in his career, Ramanna advocated for strict policies to prevent nuclear proliferation and argued against further nuclear testing.<ref name="Momentum">{{cite web|url=https://nuclearweaponarchive.org/India/IndiaMomentum.html|title=The Momentum Builds: 1989-1998|publisher=Nuclear Weapon Archive|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> He held various academic positions including the chairman of board of Governors at [[IIT Bombay]], chairman of the governing council at [[Indian Institute of Science]] and founder director of [[National Institute of Advanced Studies]], [[Bangalore]].<ref name="Guardian"/><ref name="Brit"/><ref name="Gov">{{cite web|url=https://vigyanprasar.gov.in/ramanna-raja/|title=Raja Ramanna|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> He was a nominated member of the [[Rajya Sabha]], the upper house of the [[Indian Parliament]] from 1997 to 2003.<ref name="Rajya">{{cite report|url=https://cms.rajyasabha.nic.in/UploadedFiles/ElectronicPublications/Nominated_%20Members_1952_2002.pdf|title=Nominated members of Rajya Sabha (1952-2002)|publisher=[[Parliament of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>


==Minister of State==
==Death==
Ramanna died on 23 September 2004 at the age of 79 due to gastronomical issues.<ref name="NYT"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Scientist Raja Ramanna no more| work=Rediff.com|date=24 September 2004|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2004/sep/23raja.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dae.nic.in/?q=node/223|title=Dr. Raja Ramanna's death news|publisher=Department of Atomic Energy|access-date=13 November 2012|archive-date=18 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418233819/http://dae.nic.in/?q=node%2F223|url-status=dead}}</ref> Then [[President of India]] [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]] said, "The passing away of Dr. Ramanna is a deep personal loss for me as he was a mentor, guide and teacher to me over the years. A towering and multi-faceted personality Dr. Ramanna was always keen to contribute to national development with a sense of mission in any capacity, which was evident in his role as a Union Minister and a Member of Parliament. For us in the science and technology community, he was always a source of inspiration and a guide."<ref>{{cite press release|title=English Releases|work=Press Information Bureau|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=4013}}</ref> P. K. Iyengar wrote "more important legacy is his uncompromising belief in intellectual clarity and rational thinking in every facet of life, and his unwavering belief (which he inherited from Jawaharlal Nehru and Homi Bhabha) that the nation could progress only by embracing science and scientific thinking. The best way to honour his memory is not through eulogies, but by rededicating ourselves to his policies and belief."<ref name="Gov"/>


In 1990, Ramanna was made Union minister of State for defence by [[V.P. Singh]] administration. He was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1997 to 2003. Dr. Ramanna was closely associated with the I.I.T. Bombay, having been chairman of the board of Governors for three consecutive terms from 1975 to 1984. In 2000, Ramanna was also the first director of [[National Institute of Advanced Studies]], [[Bangalore]].
== Personal life ==
Ramanna had a keen interest in music and trained as a [[musician]]. He played [[musical instruments]] such as the [[piano]].<ref name="Guardian"/> In 1952, he married Malathi and the couple had three children, two daughters and a son.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rrcat.gov.in/newsletter/NL/nl2006/issue1/pdf/N10.pdf|title=Dr. Raja Ramanna: A brief Bio-memoir|publisher=Raja Ramanna centre for advanced technology|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref> He was one of the survivors of the [[Air India Flight 403]] that crashed in 1982.<ref>{{cite web |last=Singh |first=Chander Uday |date=15 July 1982 |title=Air-India Boeing 707 crash-lands at Bombay airport, 17 killed |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19820715-air-india-boeing-707-crash-lands-at-bombay-airport-17-killed-771963-2013-10-08 |access-date=12 June 2025 |work=[[India Today]] }}</ref>


==Institute Named After Ramanna==
== Positions held ==
* [[Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore (M.P.)]]
* Director, [[Bhabha Atomic Research Centre]] (1972–78, 1981–83)<ref name="Brit"/>
* Chairman, Board of Governors, [[Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay]] (1972–78)<ref name="Gov"/>
* Vice-president, [[Indian Academy of Sciences]] (1977–79)<ref name="Gov"/>
* President, [[Indian National Science Academy]] (1977–78)<ref name="Gov"/>
* Secretary for Defence Research, [[Government of India]] (1978–81)<ref name="Brit"/>
* Scientific Adviser to the [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]] (1978–81)<ref name="Pause"/>
* Director-general, [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (1978–82)<ref name="DRDO"/>
* Chairman, [[Atomic Energy Commission of India|Atomic Energy Commission]] (1983–87)<ref name="Brit"/>
* President, General Conference of [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (1986)<ref name="Gov"/>
* Secretary, [[Department of Atomic Energy (India)|Department of Atomic Energy]] (1983–87)<ref name="DAE"/>
* [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Minister of state for defence]] (1990)<ref name="Brit"/>
* [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]], [[Rajya Sabha]] (1997–2003)<ref name="Rajya"/>
* Founder-Director, [[National Institute of Advanced Studies]] (1988–89, 1990–97)<ref name="Guardian"/>


==Posts held==
== Awards and honors ==
* Chairman, Governing Council, [[Indian Institute of Science]], Bangalore
Ramanna was awarded multiple [[honorary doctorate]]s by various universities. His major awards include:<ref name="Gov"/>
* Council of Management, [[Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research]], Bangalore
* [[Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology]] (1963)
* Chairman, Board of Governors, [[Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay]]
* [[Padma Shri]] (1968)
* President, [[Indian National Science Academy]]
* [[Padma Bhushan]] (1973)
* Vice-President, [[Indian Academy of Sciences]]
* [[Padma Vibhushan]] (1975)  
* Scientific Adviser to the Minister of Defence
* [[Indian National Science Academy|Meghnad Saha Medal]] (1984)
* Director-general of [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO)
* [[Tata Institute of Fundamental Research|R. D. Birla Memorial Award]] (1985–86)
* Secretary for Defence Research, Government of India
* [[Indian Science Congress|Asutosh Mookerjee Gold Medal]] (1996)
* Chairman, [[Atomic Energy Commission of India|Atomic Energy Commission]]
* Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy
* Director, [[Bhabha Atomic Research Centre]]
* Director, [[National Institute of Advanced Studies]], IISc campus, Bangalore


==Awards==
== Books ==
* [[Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology]] in 1963
Ramanna has authored two books:<ref name="Guardian"/>
* [[Padma Shri]] in 1968
* ''Years of Pilgrimage'' (Autobiography) (1991)
* [[Padma Bhushan]] in 1973
* ''The Structure of Music in Raga and Western Systems'' (1993)
* [[Padma Vibhushan]] in 1975
 
==Books==
* ''The Structure of Music in Raga and Western Systems''
*  Years of Pilgrimage ( Autobiography) (1991)


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==Further reading==
== Further reading ==
# {{cite journal
# {{cite journal|author=Valangiman Subramaniam Ramamurthy|year=2005|title=Raja Ramanna|journal=[[Physics Today]]|volume=58|issue=7|pages=81–82|doi=10.1063/1.2012481|bibcode = 2005PhT....58g..81R }}
|author=Valangiman Subramaniam Ramamurthy
|year=2005
|title=Raja Ramanna
|journal=[[Physics Today]]
|volume=58 |issue=7 |pages=81–82
|doi=10.1063/1.2012481
|bibcode = 2005PhT....58g..81R }}
# Ramanna, Raja. Years of Pilgrimage: An Autobiography. New Delhi: Viking, 1991.
# Ramanna, Raja. Years of Pilgrimage: An Autobiography. New Delhi: Viking, 1991.
# Srinivasan, M. R. From Fission to Fusion: The Story of India's Atomic Energy Programme. New Delhi: Viking, 2002.
# Srinivasan, M. R. From Fission to Fusion: The Story of India's Atomic Energy Programme. New Delhi: Viking, 2002.
Line 123: Line 113:


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20041231161131/http://www.cat.ernet.in/newsletter/news/oct0101.html Interview with Dr. Raja Ramanna]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20041231161131/http://www.cat.ernet.in/newsletter/news/oct0101.html Interview with Raja Ramanna]
*[http://in.rediff.com/news/2004/sep/23raja.htm Obituary in rediff.com]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120313220218/http://www.vigyanprasar.gov.in/scientists/RRamanna.htm Biography in Vigyan Prasar Science Portal]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120313220218/http://www.vigyanprasar.gov.in/scientists/RRamanna.htm Biography in Vigyan Prasar Science Portal]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055056/http://www.iitk.ac.in/directions/march2005/14_RajaRamanna.pdf]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055056/http://www.iitk.ac.in/directions/march2005/14_RajaRamanna.pdf Raja Ramanna]
 
{{s-start}}
{{s-gov}}
{{s-bef
| before = [[Homi Sethna]]
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = Director, [[Bhabha Atomic Research Centre]]
| years = 1972 - 1978
}}
{{s-aft
| after = [[P. K. Iyengar]]
}}
{{s-bef
| before = [[M. G. K. Menon]]
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = Director General, [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]]
| years = 1978 - 1982
}}
{{s-aft
| after = [[V. S. R. Arunachalam]]
}}
{{s-bef
| before = [[Homi Sethna]]
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = Chairman, [[Atomic Energy Commission of India]]
| years = 1983 - 1987
}}
{{s-aft
| after = [[M. R. Srinivasan]]
}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef
| before = [[Dumar Lal Baitha]]
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = [[Minister of Defence (India)#Ministers of state|Minister of State for Defence]]
| years = 1990 - 1990
}}
{{s-aft
| after = [[Lalit Vijay Singh]]
}}
{{s-end}}


{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Science & Engineering}}
{{1900s Padma Shri Award Recipients in Science & Engineering}}
{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}
{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}
{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 1970–79}}
{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 1970–79}}
Line 155: Line 190:
[[Category:Janata Dal politicians]]
[[Category:Janata Dal politicians]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Om Prakash Bhasin Award recipients]]
[[Category:Survivors of aviation accidents or incidents]]

Latest revision as of 07:21, 3 February 2026


Raja Ramanna
Director General of Defence research and development organisation
In office
1978-1982
Preceded byMGK Menon
Succeeded byVSR Arunachalam
Personal details
Born(1925-01-28)28 January 1925
Tiptur, Princely State of Mysore, British India (now in Tumkur district, Karnataka, India)
Died24 September 2004(2004-09-24) (aged 79)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
CitizenshipIndia
NationalityIndian
Alma mater
Known for
Awards
Scientific career
FieldsNuclear Physics
Institutions
2=

Raja Ramanna (28 January 1925 – 24 September 2004) was an Indian nuclear physicist. He was the director of India's nuclear program in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which culminated in Smiling Buddha, India's first successful nuclear weapon test on 18 May 1974.

Ramanna obtained his bachelor's degree in Physics at Madras University and PhD from King's College, London. He joined the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and later the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to work on nuclear physics. Ramanna worked under Homi Jehangir Bhabha, whom he had met earlier in 1944. He joined the nuclear program in 1964, and later became the director of this program in 1967. Ramanna expanded and supervised scientific research on nuclear weapons and was in charge of the team of scientists at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) that designed and carried out the testing of the first nuclear device in 1974. Ramanna was associated with India's nuclear program for more than four decades, and also facilitated research for the Indian Armed Forces.

He served in various roles such as Secretary for Defence Research, Government of India (1978–81), Scientific Adviser to the Minister of Defence (1978–81), Director-general of Defence Research and Development Organisation (1978–82), Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (1983–87) and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (1983–87). He later became the Minister of state for defence in 1990. He served as a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from 1997 to 2003. Towards the later part of his career, he advocated against nuclear proliferation and testing.

Ramanna was associated with various academic institutions. He was the founder-director of National Institute of Advanced Studies and served as the chairman of board of governors at IIT Bombay. He has been awarded multiple honorary doctorates by various universities. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian decoration, in 1975. Ramanna died in Mumbai in 2004 at the age of 79.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Raja Ramanna was born on 28 January 1925 to Rukmini and Ramanna in Tiptur, Princely State of Mysore, British India (now in Tumkur district, Karnataka, India).[1] His father was working in the judicial department. Ramanna claimed to have been influenced by his mother's sister Rajamma, who was a government teacher. He did his early schooling at Dalvoy School and Good Shepherd Convent in Mysore before moving to Bishop Cotton Boys' School in Bangalore. Ramanna was interested in music from a young age and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. He auditioned in front of the Maharaja of Mysore at the age of 12.[2]

He later attended Madras Christian College, where he graduated with a BSc in physics from the University of Madras in 1945.[3] Ramanna obtained his master's degree from Bombay University.[4] In 1949, he completed his PhD in nuclear physics from King's College in London on a scholarship from Tata Group.[5][6]

Career[edit | edit source]

Early career (1949-59)[edit | edit source]

Ramanna had met Homi J. Bhabha in 1944 and was inspired by his work.[2] In 1949, Ramanna joined Tata Institute of Fundamental Research to work under Bhabha. In 1952, he started working on the Indian nuclear programme at the Atomic Energy Establishment in Trombay (later renamed as Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)).[3][6] In 1957, the first research nuclear reactor Apsara became operational at BARC and Ramanna was part of the team working on the same. He was working on neutron emission studies and research on nuclear fission.[2] In July 1958, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru authorized "Project Phoenix" to produce weapon grade Plutonium.[7] In 1957, Ramanna established a training school at BARC to facilitate training of scientists in nuclear physics.[6]

Heading the nuclear programme (1960-69)[edit | edit source]

In the early 1960s, he was involved in learning and development of know-how to manufacture nuclear weapons. After Bhabha's unexpected death in 1966, the design work on the atomic bomb proceeded under Ramanna, who took charge of the nuclear weapons technology research.[8] When Indira Gandhi became the prime minister in 1966, the project for the design and manufacturing of the nuclear device proceeded secretly.[9] The program employed 75 scientists with Ramanna heading the project and P. K. Iyengar serving as his deputy.[10] Later, the weapons programme was directed towards the production of plutonium rather than uranium and in 1969, enough plutonium had been accumulated for the production of a single nuclear bomb.[8] In 1968–69, a plutonium fueled fast breeder reactor named Purnima was established at BARC.[11][12]

First nuclear test (1970-75)[edit | edit source]

In July 1970, physicist B. D. Nagchaudhuri was appointed as the scientific adviser to the Defense Minister and as Director of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Nagchaudhuri and Ramanna worked together to recruit the team and set up the requirements necessary for a nuclear weapon test. In 1971, Homi Sethna succeeded Vikram Sarabhai as the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, completing the leadership group.[11] After India gained military and political initiative over Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971, the work on building a nuclear device continued with Ramanna being appointed as the chairman of BARC in 1972.[13][3]

The hardware for the bomb began to be built in early 1972 and the Prime Minister authorized the development of a nuclear test device in September 1972.[14] The nuclear test was planned for May 1974 with tight control being maintained on all aspects of the preparations of the test, which was conducted in extreme secrecy.[15] The test was code named Smiling Buddha and called as a Peaceful Nuclear Explosive (PNE).[16] A nuclear fission device was successfully detonated on 18 May 1974 at 8.05 IST.[17][18] In 1975, Ramanna was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award.[19]

Intermediate years (1975-87)[edit | edit source]

Ramanna served as Vice President of the Indian Academy of Sciences from 1977 to 1979 and as President of Indian National Science Academy in New Delhi from 1977 to 1978.[2] Post the test, Indira Gandhi authorized preliminary work to commence on the development of a fusion boosted fission bomb. Differences in opinion arose between Sethna and Ramanna, which affected the progress of the program.[19] In 1978, then Prime Minister Morarji Desai moved Ramanna from BARC to made him the secretary of defense research and scientific advisor to the Ministry of Defense.[19] Later, he was also appointed as the Director General of DRDO.[20] In the same year, then President of Iraq Saddam Hussein approached Ramanna for help in building a nuclear bomb when Ramanna visited Baghdad. Ramanna refused and returned to India.[5]

With the return of Indira Gandhi in 1980, the nuclear program gained momentum and Ramanna was re-appointed as the director of BARC.[3] She authorized Ramanna to prepare for further nuclear tests and two new shafts were constructed at the Pokhran test range in 1984. Ramanna pushed forward with a Uranium enrichment program and Dhruva, a new reactor with a capability to produce larger quantities of weapon grade material, was constructed.[19] As a part of the nuclear programme, components for a nuclear fusion bomb were developed but no testing took place. In 1983, Ramanna was made as the secretary of Department of Atomic Energy.[21] In 1984, he was made the chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, which he held for three years.[3] In the same year, Ramanna represented the South Asian and Middle Eastern bloc at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).[22] Later, he served as the chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Director General of IAEA and as president of the 30th General Conference in 1986.[2] In late 1985, a study group commissioned by the Prime Minister of India consisting of Ramanna and few others, outlined a plan for the production of 70 to 100 nuclear warheads and a strict no first use policy.[19]

Later years (1988-2003)[edit | edit source]

In 1990, Ramanna was made Union minister of State for defence in the V. P. Singh administration, but the government collapsed a short while later.[3] Later in his career, Ramanna advocated for strict policies to prevent nuclear proliferation and argued against further nuclear testing.[23] He held various academic positions including the chairman of board of Governors at IIT Bombay, chairman of the governing council at Indian Institute of Science and founder director of National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore.[5][3][2] He was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament from 1997 to 2003.[24]

Death[edit | edit source]

Ramanna died on 23 September 2004 at the age of 79 due to gastronomical issues.[1][25][26] Then President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam said, "The passing away of Dr. Ramanna is a deep personal loss for me as he was a mentor, guide and teacher to me over the years. A towering and multi-faceted personality Dr. Ramanna was always keen to contribute to national development with a sense of mission in any capacity, which was evident in his role as a Union Minister and a Member of Parliament. For us in the science and technology community, he was always a source of inspiration and a guide."[27] P. K. Iyengar wrote "more important legacy is his uncompromising belief in intellectual clarity and rational thinking in every facet of life, and his unwavering belief (which he inherited from Jawaharlal Nehru and Homi Bhabha) that the nation could progress only by embracing science and scientific thinking. The best way to honour his memory is not through eulogies, but by rededicating ourselves to his policies and belief."[2]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Ramanna had a keen interest in music and trained as a musician. He played musical instruments such as the piano.[5] In 1952, he married Malathi and the couple had three children, two daughters and a son.[28] He was one of the survivors of the Air India Flight 403 that crashed in 1982.[29]

Positions held[edit | edit source]

Awards and honors[edit | edit source]

Ramanna was awarded multiple honorary doctorates by various universities. His major awards include:[2]

Books[edit | edit source]

Ramanna has authored two books:[5]

  • Years of Pilgrimage (Autobiography) (1991)
  • The Structure of Music in Raga and Western Systems (1993)

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Raja Ramanna, 79, Indian Nuclear Scientist, Dies". The New York Times. 26 September 2004. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 "Raja Ramanna". Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 "Raja Ramanna". Britannica. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  4. ↑ "Distinguished Alumni". Mumbai University. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "Raja Ramanna, Scientific mastermind behind India's nuclear tests". Guardian. 2004. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "The energiser". India Today. 10 April 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  7. ↑ Sublette, Carey. "Origins of Indian nuclear program". Nuclear weapon Archive. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "On to Weapons Development, 1960–67". Nuclear Weapon Archive. 30 March 2001. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  9. ↑ Kanavi, Shivanand. "How Indian PMs reacted to nuclear bombs". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  10. ↑ "Purnima I-II-III". Nuclear Threat Initiative. 1 September 2003. Archived from the original on 9 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "India's First Bomb: 1967-1974". Nuclear Weapon Archive. 30 March 2001. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  12. ↑ Richelson, Jefferey T (March 1999). Spying on the Bomb: American Nuclear Intelligence from Nazi Germany to Iran and North Korea. WW Norton. p. 233. ISBN 978-0-393-05383-8.
  13. ↑ "Dr. Ramanna, profile". Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. Archived from the original on 23 May 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  14. ↑ Perkovich, G. (1999). India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation. ACLS Humanities E-Book. University of California Press. p. 172. ISBN 978-0-520-23210-5.
  15. ↑ Chengappa, Raj (2000). Weapons of peace : the secret story of India's quest to be a nuclear power. New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, India. ISBN 81-7223-330-2.
  16. ↑ "Smiling Buddha, 1974". India's Nuclear Weapons Program. Nuclear Weapon Archive.
  17. ↑ Pahuja, Om Parkash (2001). India: A Nuclear Weapon State. Prabhat Prakashan. pp. 63–. ISBN 978-81-87100-69-0. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  18. ↑ "1974 Nuclear files". Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. Nuclear files archives. Archived from the original on 2 July 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 "Reaction and Long Pause". Reaction and Long Pause. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Our Luminaries". DRDO. Archived from the original on 26 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Secretaries of DAE". Department of Atomic Energy. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  22. ↑ 28th Regular Session (PDF) (Report). International Atomic Energy Agency. 28 September 1984. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  23. ↑ "The Momentum Builds: 1989-1998". Nuclear Weapon Archive. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Nominated members of Rajya Sabha (1952-2002) (PDF) (Report). Parliament of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  25. ↑ "Scientist Raja Ramanna no more". Rediff.com. 24 September 2004.
  26. ↑ "Dr. Raja Ramanna's death news". Department of Atomic Energy. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  27. ↑ "English Releases". Press Information Bureau (Press release).
  28. ↑ "Dr. Raja Ramanna: A brief Bio-memoir" (PDF). Raja Ramanna centre for advanced technology. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  29. ↑ Singh, Chander Uday (15 July 1982). "Air-India Boeing 707 crash-lands at Bombay airport, 17 killed". India Today. Retrieved 12 June 2025.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

  1. Valangiman Subramaniam Ramamurthy (2005). "Raja Ramanna". Physics Today. 58 (7): 81–82. Bibcode:2005PhT....58g..81R. doi:10.1063/1.2012481.
  2. Ramanna, Raja. Years of Pilgrimage: An Autobiography. New Delhi: Viking, 1991.
  3. Srinivasan, M. R. From Fission to Fusion: The Story of India's Atomic Energy Programme. New Delhi: Viking, 2002.
  4. Singh, Jagjit. Some Eminent Indian Scientists. New Delhi: Publications Division, Govt. of India.
  5. Sundaram, C.V., L. V. Krishnan, and T. S. Iyengar. Atomic Energy in India: 50 Years. Mumbai: Department of Atomic Energy, 1998.
  6. Parthasarathy, K. S. Ramanna: a doyen among scientists, The Hindu, September 30, 2004.
  7. Srinivasan, M. R. Ramanna & the nuclear programme, The Hindu, September 28, 2004.
  8. Sreekantan, B.V. Raja Ramanna–Down the Memory Lane. Current Science, Vol. 87, No. 8, pp. 1150–51, 2004.
  9. Rao, K. R. Raja Ramanna-A Personal Tribute. Current Science, Vol. 87, No. 8, pp. 1152–54, 2004.
  10. Profiles in Scientific Research: Contributions of the Fellows. Vol.1. pp. 460–62. New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy, 1995.
  11. Iyengar, P.K. Remembering Ramanna. The Hindu, September 25, 2004.
  12. Ramanna, R., Jain, S. R., Pramana vol. 57, 263, 2001.

External links[edit | edit source]

Government offices
Preceded by
Homi Sethna 		Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
1972 - 1978 		Succeeded by
P. K. Iyengar
Preceded by
M. G. K. Menon 		Director General, Defence Research and Development Organisation
1978 - 1982 		Succeeded by
V. S. R. Arunachalam
Preceded by
Homi Sethna 		Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of India
1983 - 1987 		Succeeded by
M. R. Srinivasan
Political offices
Preceded by
Dumar Lal Baitha 		Minister of State for Defence
1990 - 1990 		Succeeded by
Lalit Vijay Singh

Template:1900s Padma Shri Award Recipients in Science & Engineering

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