Dr. K. Radhakrishnan is a technocrat well known for his dynamic and result-oriented management and very fine personal and inter-personal qualities. He has proved his strategic visions as an institution-builder; capability as an administrator, and leadership qualities. Dr. Radhakrishnan was born on August 29, 1949 at Irinjalakuda, Kerala. He graduated in Electrical Engineering from Kerala University (1970), completed his PGDM from Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (1976) and obtained Doctorate from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (2000). Dr Radhakrishnan started his career as an avionics engineer in Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (then SSTC) in 1971. During his illustrious career for nearly four decades in ISRO, he held several decisive positions in the domains of space launch systems, space applications and space programme management. Before assuming the post of Chairman, ISRO/Secretary, Department of Space, he had commendably held the post of Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, the lead centre for launch vehicle technology in ISRO and Director, National Remote Sensing Agency. In his brief stint (2000-2005) in the Department of Ocean Development (presently Ministry of Earth Sciences), he had also been the Founder Director of Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the first Project Director of Indian National Tsunami Warning System. He has also held several important positions at the international level including Vice Chairman of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (2001-05), Founder Chairman of Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (2001-06) and Chairman of the Working Group of the Whole UN-COPUOS STSC (2008-2009).

He has also held several decisive roles at the international level as Vice Chairman of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO during 2001-05, Founder Chairman of Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (IOGOOS) during 2001-06, Regional Coordinator in Indian Ocean for the International Argo Project and Member of International Argo Steering Team and its Executive during 2001-05. He is a member of the Indian delegation to the UN Committee on Peaceful Use of Outer Space since June 2006. He is a Fellow of Indian National Academy of Science (FNASc), Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE); Honorary Life Fellow of The Institution of Engineers, India; Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Electrical and Telecommunication Engineers, India; and Member of International Academy of Astronautics.