Dr. Anil Kakodkar is a renowned Indian nuclear scientist and mechanical engineer who played a pivotal role in positioning India among the world's advanced nuclear technology nations. During his leadership roles as Director BARC (1996 – 2000) as well as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary to the Government of India (2000–2009), he spearheaded key advancements in nuclear energy, self-reliance, and strategic research.

• Nuclear Energy Self-Reliance: He championed the development of indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) as well as advancement of thorium utilisation for India’s energy independence and pioneered the design of the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR).

• Strategic Sovereignty: Dr. Kakodkar was a key figure in India’s nuclear tests in 1974 and in 1998 and led the team that developed the nuclear power pack for India's first nuclear-powered submarine. He played a crucial role in developing Civil Nuclear Co-operation with international community, ensuring that India’s strategic autonomy remained intact.

• International Nuclear Diplomacy: Kakodkar played a critical role in negotiations with the United States and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to secure the Indo-US nuclear deal, allowing India to join the global nuclear mainstream despite not being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

• Rehabilitation of Reactors: He successfully rehabilitated damaged reactors at Madras Atomic Power Station (Kalpakkam), preventing them from being written off.

• Institutional & Educational Development: He was instrumental in establishing the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), and the DAE-Mumbai University Centre for Basic Sciences. He has chaired the Board of Governors of IIT Bombay (2006–2015) and currently serves as the Chancellor of the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI).

• Advisory Committees: He has chaired high-level committees on Railway Safety (2012) and the rejuvenation of higher technical education in India.

• Technological Vision: He led development of Technology Vision 2035 for India. He has advocated for the development of "CILLAGE" (city-in-a-village), a model for sustainable rural development powered by advanced technology.

For his stellar services to the nation, he was awarded the Padma Shri (1998), Padma Bhushan (1999), and Padma Vibhushan (2009).

Dr. Kakodkar currently focuses his efforts on the "double challenge" facing India: achieving Net Zero emissions while meeting the rising energy aspirations of its population.