🔥 Trending Who is V Kamakoti, the IIT Madras Director involved in 'cow urine expert' contro

V. Kamakoti is a distinguished Indian computer scientist and academic, currently serving as the Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) ¹². He is widely recognized for his significant contributions to technology and national security initiatives in India, most notably leading the team that developed India's first indigenous microprocessor, 'Shakti' ⁴⁵⁶.

Key Highlights of V. Kamakoti's Profile

Education and Early Career

Professor Kamakoti completed both his Master of Science (MS) and PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Madras ². His academic journey and research have primarily focused on computer science, establishing him as a prominent figure in the field ³.

Leadership at IIT Madras

Since his appointment as the Director of IIT Madras, the institution has continued its strong performance and contributions to education and research under his leadership ⁵.

Contributions to Technology and National Security

Kamakoti is credited with spearheading the development of 'Shakti,' India's first home-grown microprocessor ³⁶. This achievement is a significant milestone in India's pursuit of self-reliance in critical technology and national security ⁵.

Padma Shri Award

In recognition of his substantial contributions, V. Kamakoti was conferred the Padma Shri award, one of India's highest civilian honors ¹⁵.

Current Public Attention and Controversy

As of July 2026, V. Kamakoti has garnered significant public and political attention due to his inclusion in a high-level task force for exam reforms led by Nandan Nilekani, established by Prime Minister Modi ⁴⁸. This task force aims to address issues within the National Testing Agency (NTA) ⁸.

"Gaumutra Expert" Controversy

The controversy stems from remarks made by Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, where she referred to Kamakoti as a "gaumutra expert" ¹⁴⁷. This reference alludes to his 2025 remarks concerning the medicinal properties of cow urine ⁴. This comment by Gandhi has sparked a political debate, with some questioning her targeting of a respected computer scientist and academic ³⁷⁸.

Role in Exam Reform Task Force

Despite the political controversy, Kamakoti's appointment to the exam reform task force highlights his perceived expertise and importance in addressing critical national issues, particularly in education and testing systems ⁴⁸.