Rajagopala Chidambaram: A Legacy of Scientific Excellence and Nuclear Prowess

Sub : Sci

Sec: Nuclear sector

Why in News

Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram, a stalwart of India’s nuclear program and former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, passed away on January 4, 2025, at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai.

Key Contributions:

Chidambaram was instrumental in India’s first nuclear test, codenamed Smiling Buddha (1974), conducted in Pokhran, Rajasthan.
As Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. Chidambaram led the second nuclear test at Pokhran. Conducted on May 11, 1998, the test involved four nuclear fission devices and one nuclear fusion device.
Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA): Served as the longest-serving PSA to the Indian government from 2002 to 2018.
Made significant contributions to condensed matter physics, a field critical to nuclear technology and strategic innovations.
Padma Shri (1975): For his early contributions to India’s scientific community.
Padma Vibhushan (1999): Recognizing his role in elevating India’s nuclear capabilities.
Played a pivotal role in initiatives like:
- Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG): Empowering rural communities with innovative technologies.
- Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS): Strengthening India’s cybersecurity and hardware infrastructure.

Smiling Buddha (1974):

India’s first nuclear test conducted on May 18, 1974, at Pokhran, Rajasthan.
The nuclear device detonated had an estimated yield of 12–13 kilotons of TNT.
The test led to the formation of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), aiming to control nuclear-related exports and prevent proliferation.
India’s test, conducted outside the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), raised global concerns about nuclear proliferation and led to calls for strengthening international non-proliferation measures.
Smiling Buddha – India’s peaceful nuclear explosion.
Made India the sixth nation to conduct a nuclear test.
Plutonium Source: Extracted from the CIRUS reactor supplied by Canada.
Heavy water for the reactor was supplied by the U.S. under a peaceful-use agreement, causing diplomatic backlash.

Operation Shakti (1998):

India’s second nuclear test series conducted on May 11, 1998, at Pokhran, Rajasthan.
Operation Shakti – showcased India’s military nuclear capability.
The tests included a thermonuclear device (Shakti-I) with a yield of 45 kilotons and four fission devices with varying yields.
Marked India as a nuclear weapons state.
Invited international sanctions, including from the S., Japan, and other nations.
Prompted Pakistan to conduct six nuclear tests later in May 1998.