The rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert first joined ISRO in 1984 and rose through the ranks to become the director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in 2018

Dr V. Narayanan, a distinguished rocket propulsion expert, will take over as ISRO Chairperson on January 14, 2025, succeeding Dr S. Somanath. With a career spanning four decades, Narayanan has played a pivotal role in developing India’s cryogenic engine technology and leading landmark missions like Chandrayaan-3.

Narayanan, currently head of an ISRO centre called Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), is set to succeed S. Somanath on 14 January & will be in office for next 2 years.

India appointed rocket scientist V. Narayanan as the new head of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the government said on Tuesday, a key role as India works to become a space superpower.

Born in 1964 in Melakattu village Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari District, Narayanan completed his early schooling in his hometown. He earned a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DME) and an Associate Membership in Mechanical Engineering from the Institution of Engineers (AMIE).

V Narayanan will be the new Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space. With extensive experience since 1984, Narayanan has been pivotal in developing India's cryogenic propulsion systems and has delivered numerous liquid propulsion systems during his tenure.