Program Officers
Dr. Anita Gupta
Scientist G/Advisor & Head, Climate, Energy and Sustainable Energy (CEST) Division, Department of Science and Technology (DST)
Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt of India.
Dr. Anita Gupta, Scientist G and Advisor & Head of the Climate, Energy, and Sustainable Energy (CEST) Division at the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, is an accomplished professional with over 28 years of experience. An alumna of IIT Delhi, with a Ph.D. in Engineering, she also holds degrees from MANIT Bhopal and NIT Raipur.
Dr. Gupta has been instrumental in managing several national initiatives on innovation, entrepreneurship, startups, and incubation across premier technology institutes in India. She played a pivotal role in the growth of incubators and startups, establishing over 175 technology business incubators nationwide. She was a key figure in launching the National Initiative for Developing & Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) and the CAWACH (Centre for Augmenting War on Covid19 Health Crisis) program, which supported indigenous solutions to the COVID-19 crisis by startups for rapid market deployment.
Currently, she heads the CEST Division, focusing on clean energy research, development, and demonstration projects, including solar energy, energy storage, hydrogen, clean coal technologies, methanol demonstration plants, alternative fuels, smart grids, and building energy efficiency, among others. She also leads various bilateral and multilateral clean energy initiatives and represents India as a Senior Representative in Mission Innovation (MI), with DST serving as the nodal department.
Dr. Neelima Alam
Scientist F & Associate Head,Climate Energy and Sustainability Technologies (CEST) Division, Department of Science & Technology,
Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt of India.
Dr. Neelima Alam is a Doctorate from All India Institute of Medical sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India and been extensively involved in a NIH funded project as Postdoctoral fellow at Boston, U.S.A for 4 years. She joined Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India in 2007 and was primarily involved in nurturing mechanisms for Technology Incubation and Early stage funding to Techno-Start-ups during her first posting. She later also looked after the Water Technology Interventions of DST and was involved in promoting technology development and solution centric applications for addressing various Water challenges in the country.
In light of the Carbon Net Zero commitments, Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) gained significant relevance and accelerating the trajectory of CCUS technologies became one of the focused areas both in National as well as in global context. Dr. Alam has been crucial in evolving a vibrant vertical for RD&D in the emerging area of CCUS Technologies in DST for capacity building of the national research diaspora and has been extensively involved in leveraging bilateral and multilateral collaborations for global best practices through various transnational platforms such as Mission Innovation (MI) 1.0, Accelerating CCUS Technologies (ACT), CDR Mission MI 2.0, Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP).
Dr. Vineet Saini
Scientist F, Associate Head, Climate, Energy & Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division,Department of Science & Technology,
Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt of India.
Dr. Vineet Saini is a distinguished Energy and Environmental Engineer with over 27 years of specialized experience in the energy and water domains. Currently serving as Scientist F and Associate Head of the Climate, Energy, and Sustainability Technology Division at DST, he is deeply committed to advancing interdisciplinary science and technology in clean energy and water management. His work involves spearheading projects that address critical challenges and deliver practical solutions in real-world settings, aligning with socioeconomic contexts. He collaborates closely with scientists, academics, technocrats, and government officials to execute innovative projects in water and clean energy technologies both in the field and laboratory settings.
Dr. Saini has been actively involved with Mission Innovation since its inception in 2015 and played a pivotal role in organizing MI-8 in Goa last year. Prior to his current position, he garnered over a decade of experience in the corporate sector and provincial Government service. An alumnus of IIT Delhi, Dr. Saini holds an MBA in Technology Management and is a Certified Energy Auditor accredited by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. His multifaceted background and leadership in sustainability underscore his commitment to advancing cutting-edge solutions in the energy and environmental sectors.
Dr. G.V. Raghunath Reddy
Scientist F, Climate, Energy & Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division, Department of Science & Technology,
Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt of India.
Dr. G.V. Raghunath Reddy holds a B.Tech (1994) and M.Tech (1996) in Engineering from Bangalore University, and a Ph.D. in Polymer Nanocomposites from IIT Delhi (2009). He has over 5 years of industry experience, 3 years of teaching, 4 years in R&D, and 13 years in managing R&D programs. Since January 2010, he has been with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and currently serves as Scientist F.
Dr. Reddy oversees various programs, including energy conversion from sunlight to storable fuels, energy storage solutions, clean coal technologies, advanced ultra-supercritical technology, alternative fuels, and industrial wastewater purification. He also leads integrated technology interventions for sustainable environmental solutions.
Dr. Ranjith Krishna Pai
Scientist F, Climate, Energy & Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division, Department of Science & Technology (DST),
Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India
Dr. Pai has 22 years of work experience, including 8 years in administration, planning, development, and cooperation of science and technology programs, along with 14 years dedicated to research in energy-related materials. With extensive experience in prestigious international research laboratories and centers, Dr. Pai has significantly contributed to advancing clean energy technologies. Currently serving as Scientist ‘F’, Senior Director, and Program Officer for Materials for Energy Storage, Hydrogen, and Fuel Cells at the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Dr. Pai plays a pivotal role in driving national and international energy initiatives and fostering innovation in the clean energy domain.
Dr. Pai’s research has been instrumental in developing sustainable energy solutions, advanced storage technologies, and the hydrogen economy, establishing a strong foundation for India’s clean energy future. With a Ph.D. in Natural Sciences from Ulm University, Germany (2005), Dr. Pai has pursued cutting-edge research at globally renowned institutions, including the University of Chile, Stockholm University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory.
As an Associate Professor at Jain University, Bangalore, Dr. Pai led the Nanostructured Hybrid Functional Materials & Devices group, contributing to numerous high-impact publications and advancing the field of nanomaterials and energy technologies. The research has focused on semiconducting polymers, carbon and inorganic nanotubes, and energy conversion technologies, including low-cost photovoltaics and innovative electrical energy storage solutions.
Dr. Sanjai Kumar
Scientist E, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India
Dr. Sanjai Kumar is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in Research & Development, industrial production, and excellence in planning, execution, and management. He holds an M.Tech. in Energy Technology and a Ph.D. in Solar Photovoltaics jointly from National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New Delhi and Delhi University, Delhi. Previously, he was associated with Central Electronics Limited (CEL), Sahibabad (a PSU under DSIR), where he was engaged in R&D, manufacturing, and the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) cell and module manufacturing. Currently, Dr. Kumar is working as a Scientist in the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. He is actively involved in the Water Technology Initiative (WTI), Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), Methane Monitoring and Mitigation Technologies (M3T) programs. He has designed and developed numerous innovative products for rural and smart city applications. Additionally, he has published several research papers and delivered talks at national and international forums.
Mr. Suresh Babu Muttana
Scientist E, Climate, Energy & Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division, Department of Science & Technology (DST),
Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India
Mr. Suresh Babu Muttana as the Scientist E and Director of Electric Mobility Program at the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Government of India, plays a pivotal role in shaping the country’s transition to cleaner, more sustainable transportation.
His expertise and leadership have been instrumental in driving various initiatives and policies aimed at promoting electric vehicles (EVs). He has been involved in developing strategies and standards to accelerate the adoption of EVs, addressing challenges related to infrastructure, battery technology, and charging networks. Furthermore, he has published a number of peer-reviewed articles and he regularly invited for talks/lectures on E-mobility and related policy awareness.
His contributions have also extended to fostering research and development in electric mobility technologies, collaborating with academic institutions, industry players, and international organizations to advance India’s capabilities in this sector. His dedication to sustainable transportation and his efforts to position India as a global leader in electric mobility have earned him recognition and respect within the scientific and policy communities.
Er. Dhirendra Tiwari
Scientist D/PSO (Principal Scientific officer), Climate, Energy & Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India
Er. Dhirendra Tiwari is an experienced scientist specializing in renewable energy, with a solid background in both research and management within the Government of India. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University and an M.Tech in Energy from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
Since 2019, he has been working as a scientist at the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, focusing on solar energy and renewable energy. His responsibilities include overseeing research and development in photovoltaic (PV) cells and solar thermal systems nationwide by providing funding to academics, researchers, and institutions across India. He collaborates with engineers, scientists, and industry stakeholders to manage the deployment of solar projects. Previously, he served as an Assistant Executive Engineer in the Delhi Industrial Development Department, where he was involved in the planning, design, and construction of industrial areas.
Dr. Pradyot Koley
Scientist D, Climate, Energy & Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India
Dr. Pradyot Koley is currently working as Scientist D at the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India. Being a Doctorate in Chemistry and two Postdoctoral Research experiences from premier institute of India and Japan, he is equipped with 10 years of R&D experiences in the field of nanoscience and nano-technology, bio-nanomaterials, nano-architectures, biosensor, drug delivery, bio-hybrid materials, waste water treatment etc. as well as 8 years of professional experiences at different Govt. Departments/Ministries such as AIM, NITI Aayog, Technology Development Board (TDB), Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, AICTE etc. in the field of innovation & entrepreneurship, indigenous technology development & commercialization, nurturing start-ups, MSMEs, incubators, enabling/promoting innovation ecosystem etc.
He currently spearheads various clean energy research schemes at Climate, Energy and Sustainable Technology (CEST) division of DST in collaboration with academic institutions, national R&D labs and industries on projects related to Building Energy Efficiency and Smart Grids. Dr. Koley is also actively engaged on the multinational Mission Innovation (MI) programme, a global initiative catalysing clean energy solutions for all.
Dr. Challa Kiran Kumar
Scientist C, Climate, Energy & Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India
Dr. Challa Kiran Kumar’s career in advanced materials and energy technologies commenced with a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from ‘Chungnam National University’, South Korea, in February 2012, with a foundational background in organic chemistry from his Master’s degree at Andhra University. He further honed his skills through a postdoctoral fellowship in South Korea and as a Research Associate at IICT, Hyderabad. In 2013, he was awarded the DST-INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship, which he successfully executed.
Dr. Kiran has extensive expertise in Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Quantum dots, Photovoltaic Devices, and Solar Water Splitting. His specialization includes the growth and characterization of advanced semiconductor nanomaterials and quantum dots, focusing on their spectral studies, photochemistry and device processing for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications.
Since September 2020, Dr. Kiran has been serving as a Scientist C in Energy division (CEST) of DST, supporting projects in Clean Coal Technologies, AUSC Technologies, and Clean Fuel Programmes alongside Dr. G.V. Raghunath Reddy.