V. Kamakoti

V. Kamakoti. He is an Indian computer scientist and academic renowned for his pioneering work in VLSI design, computer architecture, and indigenous microprocessor development. Currently a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, he has played a pivotal role in national initiatives for strategic electronics and self-reliance in technology. His leadership extends to directing the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing and serving as a key advisor to the Government of India on critical cybersecurity and semiconductor policies.

Early life and education

V. Kamakoti completed his undergraduate studies in computer science at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, a premier institution within the IIT system. He then pursued his master's and doctoral degrees at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, focusing on advanced topics in VLSI testing and formal verification. His doctoral research, conducted under notable guides in the field, laid a strong foundation in hardware security and design automation. This academic trajectory at India's leading science and technology institutes equipped him with the expertise to address complex challenges in electronic systems.

Academic career

Following his doctorate, Kamakoti joined the faculty of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. He rose through the academic ranks, contributing significantly to the curriculum and research culture of the department. He has held several administrative positions, including head of the department, where he oversaw expansions in interdisciplinary research and industry collaborations. His tenure has been marked by fostering strong ties with organizations like the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Space Research Organisation, aligning academic pursuits with national strategic needs. His teaching and mentorship have influenced a generation of engineers and researchers in embedded systems and secure hardware design.

Research and contributions

Kamakoti's research is distinguished by its focus on creating indigenous and secure computing technologies. He is the chief architect and project lead for the SHAKTI processor family, India's first industrial-grade open-source microprocessor based on the RISC-V instruction set architecture. This project, supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and executed at IIT Madras, aims to reduce dependence on foreign semiconductor IP for critical applications in defence, aerospace, and government infrastructure. His work spans cache design, side-channel attack resilience, and formal methods for verifying hardware trojan-free designs. These contributions are crucial for India's ambitions in strategic electronics and establishing a sovereign semiconductor ecosystem.

Leadership roles

Beyond academia, Kamakoti holds several high-impact leadership positions in India's technology landscape. He serves as the Director of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing in Chennai, a premier R&D institution under the MeitY. In this role, he guides national projects in supercomputing, cybersecurity, and healthcare technology. He is a vital member of the National Security Advisory Board and has chaired multiple committees for the Government of India, including those formulating the National Policy on Electronics and the National Blockchain Strategy. His counsel is frequently sought by entities like the Reserve Bank of India on financial technology security and by the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre on cyber threats.

Awards and recognition

Kamakoti's contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and honors. He is a recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology, one of India's highest scientific honors, in the engineering sciences category. The Indian Institute of Technology Madras conferred upon him its Distinguished Alumnus Award for his exceptional professional achievements. He has also been honored with the IISc Alumni Award for his contributions to engineering research. His election as a fellow to esteemed academies like the Indian National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Sciences, India underscores his standing as a leading figure in the nation's scientific community.

Category:Indian computer scientists Category:Indian Institute of Technology Madras faculty Category:Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize recipients