New Delhi

Five senior scientists from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have been shortlisted for interviews by the search-cum-selection committee tasked with appointing the next chief of India's premier defence research agency.

The position of DRDO Chairman has remained vacant for the past month following the retirement of former chief Dr Samir V. Kamat.

According to defence sources, the selection panel is scheduled to interview the candidates on Friday.

The scientists shortlisted for the top post are Anupam Sharma, Director of SPS; B.K. Das, Director General (Electronics and Communication Systems); Prateek Kishore, Director General (Armament and Combat Engineering); Jagannath Nayak, Director General (Missiles and Strategic Systems); and Anindya Biswas, Director of the Research Centre Imarat (RCI).

The appointment comes at a crucial juncture, with the government preparing to implement long-pending structural reforms within the organisation. The proposed changes, formulated by the Prime Minister's Office in consultation with various stakeholders, are aimed at enhancing DRDO's efficiency and operational effectiveness.

Until a new chief is appointed, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has been given additional charge as Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development.

In recent years, DRDO has registered several significant achievements, including the successful testing of India's ballistic missile defence system.

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The planned reforms are expected to include the consolidation of laboratories, the removal of non-core activities from the organisation's mandate, and stronger collaboration with the private sector to accelerate the development and production of advanced defence technologies and weapon systems.