On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Dr. M R Srinivasan, the former chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Commission, died at the age of 95. The veteran scientist unexpectedly became unwell in Ooty during the night and died quietly at the local hospital at 4 a.m. on Tuesday. Dr. Malur Ramasamy Srinivasan, who was born in Bengaluru (5 January 1930 – 20 May 2025), leaving behind a rich legacy.

“My father suddenly took ill in Ooty over last night and passed away peacefully in hospital at 4 am in hospital, my mother is with him.. we are going from Bangalore now..,” said Sharada Srinivasan, the daughter of the veteran scientist according to a social media post.

Born in January 1930, Malur Ramasamy (M R) Srinivasan was an Indian nuclear physicist and mechanical engineer who was also in charge of the country’s construction of a pressurized heavy-water reactor (PHWR).

Srinivasan began working with Dr. Homi Bhabha on Apsara, the country’s first nuclear research reactor, in September 1955 after joining the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Apsara reached criticality in August 1956.

He served as the Principal Project Engineer for the building of India’s first atomic power plant in 1959. He then became the Chief Project Engineer at the Madras Atomic Power Station in 1967.

He was appointed Director of the DAE’s Power Projects Engineering Division in 1974. He was then elevated to Chairman of the Nuclear Power Board in 1984, where he was in charge of the development, implementation, and management of all nuclear power projects in the country.

He eventually rose to the position of Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission in 1987. For all of his efforts to the Indian nuclear program, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s highest civilian honor.

After completing his education in Mysore, M R Srinivasan enrolled at M. Visvesvaraya’s engineering college (now UVCE), where he earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1950. In 1954, he completed his Master’s degree in gas turbine technology at McGill University in Canada.

From 1996 to 1998, he served on the Planning Commission of the Government of India, where he oversaw the Science & Technology and Energy portfolios. In the years 2002–2004 and 2006–2008, he served on the National Security Advisory Board of India. From 2002 to 2004, he served as the chairman of the Karnataka Task Force on Higher Education.

Srinivasan is an Emeritus Fellow of the Indian Nuclear Society, a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering and Institution of Engineers (India), and a Founder Member of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).

During this time of grief, PM Modi sent his family and friends his personal condolences and the nation’s gratitude for everything he has done.

“Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. MR Srinivasan, a stalwart of India’s nuclear energy program. His instrumental role in developing critical nuclear infrastructure has been foundational to our being self-reliant in the energy sector. He is remembered for his inspiring leadership of the Atomic Energy Commission. India will always be grateful to him for advancing scientific progress and mentoring many young scientists. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this sad hour. Om Shanti,” said PM Modi in his social media post on the platform X.

A youthful Dr. Srinivasan was instrumental in the building of Apsara, India’s first nuclear research reactor, which reached criticality in August 1956 alongside Dr. Bhabha. Dr. Bhabha had already outlined what needed to be done in the ensuing decades when he died in a plane crash in the Alps on January 24, 1966. Dr. Srinivasan supported India’s nuclear power development after being on Dr. Bhabha’s team.

Legends like Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. Homi Sethna, Dr. Raja Ramanna, Dr. P K Iyengar, Dr. R Chidambaram, and Dr. Anil Kakodkar were among the people Dr. Srinivasan collaborated with.