Veezhinathan Kamakoti is an eminent Indian computer scientist and academic administrator serving as the Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. A specialist in computer architecture, VLSI design and cybersecurity, he is best known as a driving force behind India’s indigenous Shakti microprocessor programme, a landmark effort to build home-grown processor technology. An alumnus and long-serving professor of IIT Madras, he has led the institution since 2022 and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2026 for his contributions.
Veezhinathan Kamakoti Biography, Wiki
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Veezhinathan Kamakoti |
| Date of Birth | 1968 (exact date not published) |
| Age (2026) | Around 58 years |
| Birthplace | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Computer scientist; academic administrator |
| Known For | Directing IIT Madras and leading the Shakti microprocessor programme |
| Current Role | Director, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (since 2022) |
| Field | Computer science and engineering |
| Specialisations | Computer architecture, VLSI design, embedded systems, cybersecurity |
| Father | A professor of Sanskrit at the University of Madras |
| Mother | A homemaker |
| Education | BE (Computer Science); MS and PhD (Computer Science and Engineering) |
| Alma Mater | University of Madras; Indian Institute of Technology Madras |
| Faculty Since | 2001, at IIT Madras |
| Major Honour | Padma Shri (2026) |
| Earlier Honour | DRDO Academy Excellence Award (2013) |
| Public Roles | Member, National Security Advisory Board; former chair, AI Task Force |
Veezhinathan Kamakoti Roles and Positions
| Years | Role |
| 2001 | Joined the IIT Madras faculty |
| Various | Chairman of the JEE and Associate Dean for Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research |
| Ongoing | Head, Microprocessor Development Programme and Information Security Education and Awareness Programme |
| 2022 to present | Director, IIT Madras |
| Ongoing | Member, National Security Advisory Board |
Veezhinathan Kamakoti Events
| Year | Event |
| 1968 | Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Childhood | Spent his early years in villages in southern Tamil Nadu |
| 1990s | Completed his BE, MS and PhD in computer science |
| 2001 | Joined IIT Madras as a faculty member |
| 2013 | Received the DRDO Academy Excellence Award |
| January 2022 | Appointed Director of IIT Madras |
| 2026 | Awarded the Padma Shri |
Veezhinathan Kamakoti Early Life and Family
Veezhinathan Kamakoti was born in 1968 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, into a family of academics. His father was a professor of Sanskrit at the University of Madras, and his mother was a homemaker. Reflecting his father’s strong belief in the cultural richness of rural India, much of his early childhood was spent with his grandparents in the villages of Mudikondan and Vishnupuram in southern Tamil Nadu, where he gained firsthand experience of farming and rural life, an upbringing he credits with shaping his character and lifelong interests, including a love of music and organic farming.
Veezhinathan Kamakoti Education
Veezhinathan Kamakoti earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering from the University of Madras, followed by a master’s by research and a doctorate in computer science and engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. Before joining his alma mater as a faculty member, he completed postdoctoral assignments at the Supercomputer Education and Research Centre of the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru and at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Chennai.
Veezhinathan Kamakoti Academic Career
Veezhinathan Kamakoti as a Professor
Veezhinathan Kamakoti joined the faculty of IIT Madras in 2001 and became a professor in its Department of Computer Science and Engineering, specialising in computer architecture, secure systems engineering, VLSI design and reconfigurable systems. Over the years he took on major institutional responsibilities, serving as Chairman of the Joint Entrance Examination and as Associate Dean for Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research, while building a strong record of research and mentorship.
Veezhinathan Kamakoti and the Shakti Microprocessor
A defining achievement of Veezhinathan Kamakoti’s career has been his leadership of India’s indigenous microprocessor efforts. He heads the Microprocessor Development Programme at IIT Madras and has been a pioneering figure behind the Shakti family of processors, an initiative to develop home-grown, open-source processor technology, a significant step toward reducing India’s dependence on imported chips. He also leads the Information Security Education and Awareness Programme, funded by the Government of India.
Veezhinathan Kamakoti as Director of IIT Madras
Veezhinathan Kamakoti was appointed Director of IIT Madras in January 2022, becoming an alumnus to lead one of India’s premier technical institutions. As director he has spoken widely on artificial intelligence, deep-technology research, engineering education and the importance of core engineering disciplines, positioning the institute at the forefront of India’s push in advanced technology. He also serves on the National Security Advisory Board and previously chaired an Artificial Intelligence Task Force constituted by the Government of India.
Veezhinathan Kamakoti Awards and Recognition
Veezhinathan Kamakoti was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, in 2026, in recognition of his contributions. Earlier in his career he received the DRDO Academy Excellence Award in 2013, among other professional honours, reflecting his standing in computer science and his service to national technology programmes.
Veezhinathan Kamakoti Personal Life
Veezhinathan Kamakoti is known for his deep personal interests beyond academia, most notably a lifelong love of music, which he has described as an integral part of his life, and a commitment to organic farming and rural education rooted in his village upbringing. He has generally kept the details of his private and family life low-key, with his public profile centred on his scientific work and his leadership of IIT Madras.
Veezhinathan Kamakoti Net Worth and Earnings
As a career academic and public servant rather than a business figure, a meaningful net-worth estimate for Veezhinathan Kamakoti is not part of the reliable public record, and this profile does not put forward one. His income has come from his long career as a professor and administrator at IIT Madras and his associated public roles, and his significance lies in his research and institutional leadership rather than in accumulated wealth.
| Source | Detail |
| Net worth | Not meaningfully documented for a career academic |
| Main income source | His professorship and directorship at IIT Madras |
Veezhinathan Kamakoti Social Media
Veezhinathan Kamakoti is primarily an academic figure, and his public communication comes largely through IIT Madras channels, academic platforms and his public lectures rather than a high-profile social-media presence.
| Platform | Handle | Notes |
| Google Scholar | Present | His research publications |
| Institutional channels | IIT Madras | Where much of his public work is shared |
Veezhinathan Kamakoti Controversies
Veezhinathan Kamakoti and the Gomutra Remarks
In early 2025, Veezhinathan Kamakoti attracted public criticism after remarks made during a Maatu Pongal event, in which he referred to claimed medicinal properties of cow urine, citing what he described as scientific studies. The comments drew backlash and debate in the media and among some in the scientific community. This is a contested matter of public discussion, and it is noted here factually as part of the public record, without the profile endorsing or evaluating the underlying claim.
Lesser Known Facts About Veezhinathan Kamakoti
- He is an alumnus of IIT Madras, the institution he now leads.
- He spent much of his early childhood in villages in southern Tamil Nadu.
- He is a pioneering figure behind India’s indigenous Shakti microprocessor.
- He leads the Microprocessor Development and Information Security programmes at IIT Madras.
- He serves as a member of the National Security Advisory Board.
- He is a passionate lover of music and an organic farmer.
- He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2026.
Veezhinathan Kamakoti FAQ
Who is Veezhinathan Kamakoti?
He is an Indian computer scientist and the Director of IIT Madras, known for his work in computer architecture and the indigenous Shakti microprocessor.
How old is Veezhinathan Kamakoti?
He was born in 1968, placing him at around 58 years old in 2026.
What is Veezhinathan Kamakoti known for?
He is known for leading IIT Madras and for his pioneering role in India’s indigenous Shakti microprocessor programme.
When did Veezhinathan Kamakoti become director of IIT Madras?
He took charge as the Director of IIT Madras in January 2022.
What are Veezhinathan Kamakoti’s research areas?
His research focuses on computer architecture, VLSI design, embedded systems and cybersecurity.
Where did Veezhinathan Kamakoti study?
He completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Madras, followed by his master’s and doctoral studies at IIT Madras.
What award did Veezhinathan Kamakoti receive in 2026?
He was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, in 2026.
What is the Shakti microprocessor?
It is an indigenous, open-source family of processors developed in India, a programme Kamakoti has led at IIT Madras.
Where is Veezhinathan Kamakoti from?
He was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and spent part of his childhood in villages in southern Tamil Nadu.
What public roles does Veezhinathan Kamakoti hold?
He is a member of the National Security Advisory Board and has chaired a government Artificial Intelligence Task Force.
Sources
IIT Madras Heritage Centre, Director’s Gallery: Prof. V. Kamakoti,
https://heritage.iitm.ac.in/directors-gallery/prof-v-kamakoti
Electronics For You, Veezhinathan Kamakoti’s Life Journey,
https://www.electronicsforu.com/special/my-story/music-is-an-integral-part-of-my-life-and-cannot-imagine-my-life-without-it-prof-kamakoti
ACCS India, Dr. V. Kamakoti,
https://accsindia.org/dr-v-kamakoti/