 | This biography of a living person relies on a single source. (February 2026) |
Chandramouli Gaddamanugu is an Indian scientist and former official of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). He is best known for his four-decade-long contribution to the development of the Akash missile system. In 2026, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, for his work in the field of science and engineering.[1]
Education and early life[edit | edit source]
Gaddamanugu is a native of the state of Telangana. He completed his Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Electronics and Communication Engineering from JNTU Anantapur. He later obtained a Master of Technology (M.Tech) from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.[1]
Career[edit | edit source]
Gaddamanugu joined the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in 1984. His entry into the organization coincided with the early stages of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), where he worked under the leadership of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.[1] He dedicated his entire professional career, spanning approximately 40 years, to the Akash surface-to-air missile system. He rose through the ranks to become an Outstanding Scientist and served as the Project Director for the Akash missile system. In this capacity, he oversaw the development and refinement of various iterations of the technology, including the Akash-1S and the Akash-NG (New Generation). He was also involved in the process of inducting the missile system into the Indian Armed Forces and facilitated its export to international markets.[1] Gaddamanugu has described his professional life as being synonymous with the Akash project, stating that he remained committed to the single project throughout his tenure at DRDO rather than moving between different missile programs.[1]
Awards and recognition[edit | edit source]
- Padma Shri (2025)[1]