Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, Scientist
Scientist

Raghunath Anant Mashelkar

Born 1 January 1943 · Goa

Led the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as Director General, transforming Indian research.

Raghunath Anant Mashelkar FTWAS FNA FASc FRS FREng FRSC, also known as Ramesh Mashelkar, is an Indian chemical engineer who is a former Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). He was also the President of Indian National Science Academy, President of Institution of Chemical Engineers (UK) as also the President of Global Research Alliance. He was also first Chairperson of Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR). He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng), Foreign Associate of US National Academy of Engineering and the US National Academy of Sciences.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Mashelkar led the successful 1996 revocation of a US patent on turmeric’s wound healing property, a landmark case defending traditional Indian knowledge in international patent law.

The Story

1
In 1943, Raghunath Anant Mashelkar was born in Marcel, Goa, then Portuguese India, and later earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Bombay in 1969, marking the start of a career deeply rooted in Indian science.
2
🌟 Between 1989 and 1995, as Director of the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Mashelkar shifted the institute's focus from import substitution to global patent licensing, enabling Indian research to enter international markets.
3From 1995 to 2006, he led the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), transforming it into one of India’s most competitive R&D organizations, a change recognized as one of the top ten scientific achievements in India’s 20th century.
4🌍 Mashelkar championed the challenge against the US patent on turmeric’s wound healing properties in 1996, marking the first successful revocation of a US patent based on traditional knowledge from the Global South.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1996, Mashelkar chaired the technical committee that won the revocation of a US patent on turmeric’s wound healing properties, the first such overturn based on traditional knowledge from the Global South.

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Through the Years

2 photographs from the archives
Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar at Monash University (2008)
Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar at Monash University (2008)
2008
The President Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Vibhushan Award to Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi (2014)

🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Marcel, Goa
Raghunath Anant Mashelkar was born in Portuguese India, setting roots in a region rich with cultural diversity.
1943
📚
Education
Graduated B.Chem Engg from Bombay
Completed chemical engineering degree at University Department of Chemical Technology, Mumbai.
1966
📚
Education
Earned PhD in Chemical Engineering
Received doctorate from University of Bombay, beginning his advanced research career.
1969
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Career
Became Director of NCL
Led National Chemical Laboratory, shifting research focus towards global patents and competitive technologies.
1989
⚡
Career
Appointed DG of CSIR
Directed India's largest R&D network for over 11 years, transforming CSIR’s research and innovation culture.
1995
⚡
Career
Won turmeric patent revocation
Led the challenge to overturn a US patent on turmeric’s medicinal properties, a landmark for traditional knowledge.
1996
🏅
Award
Received J.R.D. Tata Corporate Leadership Award
Recognized for leadership bridging science and corporate sectors in India.
1998
⚡
Career
Became Chancellor of ICT Mumbai
Oversaw the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai for a decade, influencing scientific education.
2014
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Mashelkar was the first Indian scientist to receive the J.R.D. Tata Corporate Leadership Award in 1998, an honor generally reserved for business leaders.

02 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Between 2007 and 2022, Mashelkar served as Sir Louis Matheson Distinguished Professor at Monash University in Australia for 15 years, bridging Indian and global scientific communities.

03 / 04
💡SURPRISING

He coined the term 'Gandhian Engineering' to describe innovations that deliver 'more from less for more people,' inspired by Gandhi’s principles, emphasizing affordable technology.

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"I always tell young people to keep knocking on doors. When they don’t open, you open your own doors. Create your own windows."

— Raghunath Anant Mashelkar

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Dr. R.A. Mashelkar's Inspiring Journey in Science | KPIT STEM Dialogues
·YouTube
More from this archive
Dr. R.A. Mashelkar's Inspiring Journey in Science | KPIT STEM Dialogues
01
Dr. R.A. Mashelkar's Inspiring Journey in Science | KPIT STEM Dialogues
YouTube
IN CONVERSATION- DR. R. A. MASHELKAR
02
IN CONVERSATION- DR. R. A. MASHELKAR
YouTube
India's Strides in Science - A Personal Journey | Raghunath Mashelkar | Making of Modern India
03
India's Strides in Science - A Personal Journey | Raghunath Mashelkar | Making of Modern India
YouTube
IN CONVERSATION- DR. R. A. MASHELKAR
04
IN CONVERSATION- DR. R. A. MASHELKAR
YouTube
Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar Interview
05
Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar Interview
YouTube
The Unstoppable Indian: Raghunath A Mashelkar (Aired: January 2008)
06
The Unstoppable Indian: Raghunath A Mashelkar (Aired: January 2008)
YouTube
Walk The Talk: Dr Raghunath Mashelkar (Aired: November 2005)
07
Walk The Talk: Dr Raghunath Mashelkar (Aired: November 2005)
YouTube
The scientist Padma shri Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar ( ENGLISH )
08
The scientist Padma shri Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar ( ENGLISH )
YouTube
Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar: Furthering India’s Competitiveness in Research & Development
09
Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar: Furthering India’s Competitiveness in Research & Development
YouTube
In Conversation with Raghunath Anant Mashelkar | Chemical Engineer
10
In Conversation with Raghunath Anant Mashelkar | Chemical Engineer
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Mashelkar revolutionized India’s scientific research culture by steering CSIR towards global competitiveness and international patenting, which opened Indian innovation to global markets. His leadership in challenging patents on traditional knowledge reshaped India’s intellectual property policies, leading to the creation of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL). His advocacy for Gandhian Engineering inspired a global discourse on frugal innovation tailored for developing economies.

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