Who is V Kamakoti? That question has moved beyond academic circles after Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra referred to the IIT Madras Director as a “gaumutra expert” during a Lok Sabha debate on the anti-paper leak bill. Hindustan Times reported that her remark came after Kamakoti was named to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-powered task force on exam reforms.

The comment triggered a political row. BJP leader Anurag Thakur hit back in Parliament and defended Kamakoti’s scientific credentials, while also attacking Priyanka Gandhi’s remark.

But beyond the political noise, V Kamakoti has a long record in computer science, chip design, cyber security and national advisory roles. He is the Director of IIT Madras, a Padma Shri awardee, and one of the names now linked to India’s attempt to rebuild trust in public examinations.

Who Is V Kamakoti?

Kamakoti Veezhinathan is the Director of IIT Madras. He completed his M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Madras, joined the institute’s faculty in 2001, and took charge as Director in January 2022.

According to IIT Madras, he is a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and has worked in areas such as computer architecture, information security and VLSI design. He has also served as Associate Dean for Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research at the institute.

That background matters because his name is now being discussed in a political fight over exams. His core work, however, comes from computing and hardware research, not electoral politics.

The SHAKTI Microprocessor Link

The most important technical achievement linked to iit madras director v kamakoti is SHAKTI, India’s first indigenously developed microprocessor. IIT Madras says Kamakoti led the research team that designed and booted up SHAKTI, a processor that can be used in mobile computing devices and networking systems.

The Centre for Responsible AI at IIT Madras also says Kamakoti led the team behind SHAKTI. It lists him as a senior figure in artificial intelligence and national technology policy.

This is why reducing him to a political jibe misses the larger record. India has been trying to strengthen its semiconductor and chip-design ecosystem. A scientist linked to an indigenous processor project is part of that bigger national story.

His Role In National Advisory Work

Kamakoti’s work has also moved beyond the lab. Hindustan Times reported that he is a member of the National Security Advisory Board and has served as chairman of the Artificial Intelligence Task Force constituted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The Centre for Responsible AI confirms that he was appointed to head the AI task force by the commerce ministry and is also listed as a member of the National Security Advisory Council.

He also heads the Microprocessor Development Program and the Information Security Education and Awareness Program at IIT Madras, both funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Why His Name Is In The Exam Reform Debate

The immediate reason Kamakoti is in the headlines is not SHAKTI or IIT Madras. It is the exam reform task force announced after the NEET paper leak protests.

The Prime Minister’s Office announced on July 26, 2026, that a high-powered task force on examination reforms had been constituted under the leadership of Nandan Nilekani.

Hindustan Times reported that the panel also includes former ISRO chairman S. Somanath, former IB director Tapan Deka, V Kamakoti, former education secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.

LiveMint reported that Kamakoti, as a member of the government’s exam reforms task force, has spoken about using AI, tougher vetting and possible multi-session testing to restore confidence in India’s exam system.

What Kamakoti Has Said About Paper Leaks

According to Hindustan Times, Kamakoti said the biggest challenge in any examination system is the integrity and trustworthiness of question paper setters and invigilators. He argued that the rise in the number of students appearing for competitive exams makes technological intervention crucial.

He also said the 2024 NEET paper leak was linked to the transit of printed question papers, while the 2026 issue was different because it allegedly originated with the question paper setter.

That distinction matters. If the leak begins before printing or distribution, then cameras at exam centres are not enough. The system needs stronger vetting of paper setters, tighter digital controls and clearer accountability.

The Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Remark

During the Lok Sabha debate, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the inclusion of a “gaumutra expert” in the exam reform panel. Hindustan Times reported that she said, “In this new committee, there is one ex-IB chief, one IT company owner, and one gaumutra expert.”

ThePrint also reported that Priyanka referred to Kamakoti as “an expert on gaumutra” during her speech, setting off a face-off with the BJP in the House.

The phrase appears to refer to an earlier controversy around Kamakoti’s remarks on cow urine. Times of India reported in January 2026 that a political row had erupted after comments linked to cow dung and cow urine, with Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu backing Kamakoti amid criticism.

Why This Story Needs Context

The controversy is politically sharp, but the public record is wider than one phrase. Who is V Kamakoti should not be answered only through the latest Parliament exchange.

He is an IIT Madras alumnus, a computer scientist, a Director of one of India’s top engineering institutes, and a researcher linked to SHAKTI. Hindustan Times also reported that he was conferred the Padma Shri in 2026 in the science and engineering category for work in computer architecture research and national security.

That does not make him immune from scrutiny. Members of an exam reform task force can be questioned, especially after paper leaks shook student trust. But criticism should be based on their role, record and ideas for reform, not only on a slogan.

What Happens Next

The exam reform panel now has to prove that its work can move beyond symbolism. Students want leak-proof papers, fair marking, faster investigation and visible accountability.

For Kamakoti, the challenge is also personal. His expertise in computing, security and system design will now be judged in one of India’s most sensitive public systems: competitive exams.