The names include Jitendra J Jadhav, Director, National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR- NAL), Bengaluru; Dr Virendra M Tiwari, Director, National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR- NGRI), Hyderabad, Mrs N Kalaiselvi, Director, Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI), Karaikudi (Tamil Nadu) and Dr G Narahari Sastry, Director, North East Institute of Science & Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat.

Indianmandarins has reliably learned that the search-cum-selection-committee which interviewed these four candidates is yet to arrive at a conclusion regarding a final name. 

A section of well-placed top scientists says that the panel has been sent to the New Delhi establishment for a final call whereas another section believes that there is no robust consensus on a final name yet and the government may re-advertise the post saying that none of the four candidates was found to be suitable for the post. 

Amid several possibilities, the government may spring up a surprise this week by announcing one of the above four names as the successor of Dr Shekhar C Mande. 

It may be underlined that the coveted post of DG of CSIR and Secretary DSIR fell vacant on May 1, 2022, following the retirement of Dr Shekhar C Mande on April 30, 2022.

Presently Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology Rajesh S Gokhale is holding the additional charge of Director-General, CSIR, and Secretary DSIR.

(By Rakesh Ranjan)