EVC
Scientist

Eknath Vasant Chitnis

Born 25 July 1925 · verify — Died 22 October 2025

Serving as member secretary of INCOSPAR, which evolved into ISRO.

Eknath Vasant Chitnis was an Indian space scientist and a member secretary at the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), which evolved into the present-day Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He was also a director of the Space Applications Centre of ISRO and a colleague of APJ Abdul Kalam, the erstwhile President of India. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, in 1985.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Chitnis personally scouted and selected the Thumba site in 1961, a location so close to the Earth’s magnetic equator that it became pivotal for India’s rocket launches.

The Story

1
In 1961, Eknath Vasant Chitnis conducted a critical location survey that led to the establishment of the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station near Thiruvananthapuram, directly influencing India’s early space launch capabilities.
2
🌌 At the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, Chitnis built Cerenkov Counters for cosmic ray research, collaborating with MIT’s Bruno Rossi group, marking India’s entry into experimental space physics in the early 1960s.
3In 1969, he played a pivotal role in selecting A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for training under NASA, after personally reviewing Kalam’s resume and recommending him, shaping the future of India’s missile and space technology.
4📡 As director of ISRO’s Space Applications Centre in the 1970s, Chitnis led the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) in 1975–76, using NASA’s ATS-6 to beam educational content to 2,400 remote Indian villages, laying the groundwork for India’s telecom revolution.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1961, Chitnis undertook a detailed geographical survey to identify Thumba as the ideal equatorial rocket launch site, a decision crucial for India’s space ambitions.

📸 Through the Years

📷

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Kolhapur, Maharashtra
Eknath Vasant Chitnis was born into the Satara Chitnis family with a historic lineage dating to the Maratha empire’s royal secretaries.
1925
⚡
Career
Selected Thumba launch site
Chitnis conducted a location survey that resulted in choosing Thumba for India’s rocket launching station near the magnetic equator.
1961
⚡
Career
Recommended APJ Abdul Kalam for NASA training
After reviewing Kalam’s credentials, Chitnis recommended him for training under NASA, shaping a future Indian space icon.
1969
⚡
Career
Led Satellite Instructional Television Experiment
Directed SITE using NASA’s ATS-6 satellite to beam educational TV to 2,400 villages, pioneering satellite communication in India.
1975
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Received the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to Indian space science and institution building.
1985
🌟
Other
Elected Chairman of Press Trust of India
Chitnis was unanimously selected to lead India’s principal news agency, expanding his influence beyond science.
2008
🕊️
Death
Passed away in Pune at age 100
Chitnis died, closing a century-long life that witnessed and shaped India’s space journey from its inception.
2025
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Chitnis recommended APJ Abdul Kalam for NASA training after personally interviewing him and reviewing his resume, shaping the future leader of India’s missile program.

02 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Despite holding a secure government job at All India Radio, Chitnis chose to join the experimental physics group at Physical Research Laboratory, prioritizing scientific research over stability.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

The SITE project led by Chitnis in 1975–76 used NASA’s ATS-6 satellite to deliver education to over 2,400 villages, a pioneering use of satellite tech for social development.

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🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
इसरो ची सुरुवात कशी केली | Manus Mhanun– Eknath chitnis-Part 1|एकनाथ चिटणीस–भाग १|The Online Talkies
·YouTube
More from this archive
इसरो ची सुरुवात कशी केली | Manus Mhanun– Eknath chitnis-Part 1|एकनाथ चिटणीस–भाग १|The Online Talkies
01
इसरो ची सुरुवात कशी केली | Manus Mhanun– Eknath chitnis-Part 1|एकनाथ चिटणीस–भाग १|The Online Talkies
YouTube
SLV is the invention of Dr. kalam: EV Chitnis
02
SLV is the invention of Dr. kalam: EV Chitnis
YouTube
Eknath Chitnis - Part 4 | एकनाथ चिटणीस भाग ४ | Manus Mhanun | The Online Talkies
03
Eknath Chitnis - Part 4 | एकनाथ चिटणीस भाग ४ | Manus Mhanun | The Online Talkies
YouTube
Appointment of Dr. Abdul Kalam in ISRO | डॉ. अब्दुल कलाम ह्यांच्या इसरो मधील निवडीचा किस्सा
04
Appointment of Dr. Abdul Kalam in ISRO | डॉ. अब्दुल कलाम ह्यांच्या इसरो मधील निवडीचा किस्सा
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Chitnis’s work directly enabled India’s first steps into space exploration, from choosing the Thumba launch site to integrating satellite technology for rural education via SITE, which influenced the later INSAT program. His recruitment of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam brought in a visionary who would guide India's missile and space programs for decades, embedding a culture of scientific innovation and public service at ISRO.

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