The Union government has constituted a committee headed by Nandan Nilekani to streamline the National Defence Academy (NDA) examinations. IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti has been appointed as a member of the panel.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Priyanka criticised the inclusion of what she described as a “cow urine expert” on a committee meant to reform India’s examination system. The remark was seen as a reference to Kamakoti, drawing attention to his earlier comments at a cattle shelter event in Chennai.
Kamakoti holds an MS and PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Madras, joined the institute in 2001 and became director in January 2022. He is associated with work in computer architecture, information security and VLSI design, and has led the team behind ‘Shakti’, described as India’s first indigenous microprocessor chip aimed at reducing dependence on foreign chips for sectors such as defence and communications.
He has also served on the National Security Advisory Board and headed an AI task force set up by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, besides being part of technology committees linked to the Reserve Bank of India and the National Stock Exchange. The report notes that he has published over 150 research papers and received several honours, including the Padma Shri and awards from DRDO.
The controversy centres on Kamakoti’s earlier statement that cow urine has antibacterial, antifungal and digestive properties, which Priyanka cited while criticising his presence on the panel. The report adds that the comment has triggered discontent among sections of academics.
Priyanka’s educational background, as noted in the report, includes a BA in Psychology from Jesus and Mary College, Delhi, and a master’s degree related to Buddhism from the University of Sunderland in the UK.
