Who is Prof. V. Kamkoti? The scientist at the center of a Lok Sabha row

The recent Lok Sabha exchange that saw Priyanka Gandhi Vadra call IIT Madras director Prof. V. Kamkoti a “cow‑urine expert” has drawn attention to the academic’s distinguished career.

Born and educated at IIT Madras, Kamkoti earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering before becoming a faculty member in 2001. In January 2022 he was elevated to the position of director of the institute.

His technical focus lies in computer architecture, information security and VLSI design. Under his leadership, IIT Madras runs the Microprocessor Development Programme and an Information Security Education and Awareness Programme that serve both students and industry partners.

Kamkoti’s influence reaches the corridors of power: he sits on the National Security Advisory Board and has chaired the Artificial Intelligence Task Force created by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Within IIT Madras he has been JEE Chairman and Associate Dean for Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research.

A prolific researcher, he has authored more than 150 papers in top‑tier international journals and conferences. He has guided dozens of Ph.D. scholars and managed close to 50 collaborative research projects with industry and government agencies.

His expertise is further recognised through appointments on technology committees of the National Stock Exchange and the Reserve Bank of India. Honors bestowed upon him include the DRDO Academic Excellence Award, ISA Techno‑Visionary Award, Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship, ACM Lifetime Achievement Award, IBM Faculty Award and VASVIK Industrial Research Award.

The parliamentary remark has sparked a debate not only about political rhetoric but also about the considerable contributions of Prof. Kamkoti to India’s technology landscape.