Eminent Metallurgist and Padma Vibhushan Recipient Palle Rama Rao Dies at 89

Key facts

• Renowned metallurgist Professor Palle Rama Rao, recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, passed away in Hyderabad at the age of 89.
• Born on June 30, 1937, Rama Rao was renowned for his contributions to physical and mechanical metallurgy and received the Padma Vibhushan in 2011.
• He served as director of the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Science and Technology and Department of Ocean Development, chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), member of the Atomic Energy Commission, chairman of the Governing Council of ARCI, and distinguished scientist at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Rama Rao served as vice-chancellor of the University of Hyderabad from 1999 to 2002.
• He completed an MA in Physics from Madras University, an MSc in Nuclear Physics from Andhra University and a PhD in Metallurgy from the Institute of Technology, BHU (now IIT-BHU).