Eminent Odia physicist appointed Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission

Bhubaneswar: Distinguished Odia scientist Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty has been appointed as the Secretary of Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission.

The renowned physicist, who is currently Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), was entrusted with the key responsibility after approval by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

As per the official notification, Mohanty will hold the post for a tenure up to the age of 66 years i.e. till 10.10.2025 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

He had been appointed as the 13th Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in 2019.

Born in Odisha in 1959, Mohanty completed his graduation in 1979 with Honours in Physics from MPC College, Baripada and post-graduation in 1981 from Ravenshaw College, Cuttack. In 1983, Mohanty joined the Nuclear Physics Division, BARC after graduating from the 26th Batch of BARC Training School. He obtained his doctorate from Mumbai University.

With several honorary positions at various organizations to his credit, Mohanty has served the Indian Physics Association (IPA) as General Secretary and later as its President. He has twice been the CERN Scientific Associate, first during 2002-2004 and again during 2010-2011. He is a recipient of the Young Physicist Award from the Indian Physical Society in 1988, the Indian National Science Academy Young Scientist Award in 1991 and the Homi Bhaba Science and Technology Award of the Department of Atomic Energy in 2001. He was recently conferred Honorary Doctrin of Literature Honoris Causa by Utkal University.

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