Anil Kakodkar is an Indian nuclear physicist and mechanical engineer. He was the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India and the Secretary to the Government of India, he was the Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay from 1996–2000.
Anil Kakodkar (born on 11th November, 1943) joined the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in 1964, following the one year post graduate Training with top rank in Nuclear Science and Technology in the then Atomic Energy Establishment. He became the Director of BARC in the year 1996 and was the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy, during the years 2000 -2009.He was DAE Homi Bhabha Chair Professor during Jan. 2010-Jan. 2015 and INAE Satish Dhawan Chair of Engineering Eminence during Jan. 2015 to Jan. 2017. Currently he is AICTE Distinguished Chair Professor.

Kakodkar obtained his BE (Mech. Engineering) degree from Bombay University in 1963 and M.Sc. in Experimental Stress Analysis from Nottingham University in 1969.

Kakodkar has worked for the development of the atomic energy programme in India throughout his professional life. Focus of his work has been on self-reliant development of nuclear reactor systems to address the Indian programme requirements. Undeterred by the restrictions imposed by the international community, he succeeded in developing various systems for the pressurized heavy water reactor, in building the Dhruva reactor starting from the conceptual stage, in rehabilitation of Madras Atomic Power Station Units 1&2 both of which at one stage appeared to be on the verge of being written off following failure of the moderator inlet manifolds, in conceptualization and development of Advanced Heavy Water Reactor that realizes the next generation objectives through innovative configuration of present day technologies besides use of thorium and such other technology systems. Utilisation of our vast Thorium resources for energy production has received special attention under Kakodkar’s leadership. He has created a roadmap for shaping the third stage of India’s nuclear power programme aimed at tapping vast energy potential of our thorium resources not only as a source for electricity production but also as a primary source for other forms of energy use. A number of new technology areas such as accelerator driven systems, high temperature reactors, materials and recycle technology etc. have been nucleated for this purpose. Kakodkar continues to be actively involved in programmes related to augmentation of Thorium utilisation in our nuclear power programme and for development of non-fossil primary energy sources for meeting our overall energy needs.The deployment of technologies for better quality of life of our people has received considerable boost under Dr. Kakodkar’s leadership. Besides energy, these cover radiation processing of food and agro-products, agriculture with emphasis on oilseeds and pulses, healthcare particularly related to cancer, urban and rural waste management and desalination of water

Kakodkar has been a key contributor to India’s strategic programme. He was amongst the chosen few involved in the first successful Peaceful Nuclear Explosion Experiment that India conducted on May 18, 1974 at Pokhran. And later, he played a key role in the series of successful Nuclear Tests conducted during May 1998, again at Pokhran. India also demonstrated nuclear submarine powerpack technology under Kakodkar’s leadership.

Dr. Anil Kakodkar was Chairman, Solar Energy Corporation in its formative stage. He was also Chairman of Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) during 2006 — 2012, Chairman, Governing Board, Inter University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi, and Chairman, Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay during 2006-2015.

Dr. Kakodkar has been honored by all three Padma awards and highest State awards from Maharashtra, Goa and Madhya Pradesh besides several national and international awards and honors.