Source: Science Reporter, Vol. 63, No. 03, March 2026 | CSIR-NISCPR
Every time an aircraft lands safely in fog at an Indian airport, part of the credit goes to a scientist who spent four decades at CSIR’s National Aerospace Laboratories, Bengaluru. Dr Shubha Venkatesha Iyengar, recipient of the Padma Shri 2026 (Science & Engineering), is the brain behind the Drishti system, India’s first indigenous runway visibility measurement technology.
Who is Dr Shubha Venkatesha Iyengar?
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Institution | CSIR–National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bengaluru |
| Designation | Former Distinguished Scientist |
| Career span | 4+ decades (joined NAL in 1974) |
| Education | BSc (Hons) Physics, MSc, Central College, Bengaluru (Rank 1 in both); PhD |
| Award | Padma Shri 2026, Science & Engineering category |
| State | Karnataka |
The Drishti System: India’s Fog-Fighting Technology
Problem: India’s airports, especially in North India, face severe winter fog that reduces runway visibility to near zero, causing flight cancellations and accidents. Measuring Runway Visual Range (RVR) accurately is critical for pilot decision-making.
Pre-Drishti Situation:
- India relied entirely on imported foreign transmissometers (visibility sensors) from European manufacturers
- Import costs were high; maintenance dependent on foreign OEMs
- No indigenous capability for an aviation-critical system
Drishti (Transmissometer System):
- Developed at CSIR-NAL under Dr Iyengar’s leadership
- India’s first indigenously developed runway visibility measurement system
- Measures forward scatter of light to calculate Runway Visual Range (RVR) in real-time
- Deployed at 100+ airports and airstrips across India, including major international airports
- DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) certified; meets ICAO standards
Impact:
- Enabled low-visibility operations at Indian airports during winter fog
- Reduced flight cancellations and diversions
- Saved airlines hundreds of crores annually in delay-related costs
- Demonstrated India’s capability in aviation safety instrumentation
Advanced Infrared Detectors
Beyond Drishti, Dr Iyengar’s team at CSIR-NAL developed Advanced Infrared (IR) Detectors with applications in:
- Aviation: night vision, terrain awareness systems
- Defence: missile seekers, night surveillance
- Space: IR imaging for ISRO missions
These represent critical dual-use technologies: civil aviation safety + defence capability.
CSIR-NAL: India’s Aerospace R&D Hub
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1959 |
| Location | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Parent | CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) |
| Key projects | Saras aircraft, Hansa trainer, FMRE (light aircraft), GTRE Kaveri engine components |
| Specialisation | Aeronautical R&D, composite materials, aerospace instrumentation |
UPSC Relevance
GS3, Science & Technology:
- Import substitution in aviation safety technology, Atma Nirbhar Bharat in high-tech sectors
- CSIR’s role in applied science: from lab to deployment
- Dual-use technology development (civil + defence applications)
- DGCA and ICAO: regulatory framework for civil aviation
GS2, Governance:
- Padma Awards: civilian honour recognising extraordinary contribution; Government of India; announced Republic Day eve
- Women in STEM: Dr Iyengar’s career as inspiration (joined NAL 1974, a pioneering era for women in Indian science)
Key Institutions:
- CSIR-NAL (Bengaluru), aerospace research; not to be confused with ISRO (space) or DRDO (defence)
- DGCA: civil aviation regulator under Ministry of Civil Aviation
- ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organisation (UN body setting global aviation standards)
Facts Corner
- Padma Shri 2026: Dr Shubha Venkatesha Iyengar, Science & Engineering, Karnataka
- Institution: CSIR-NAL, Bengaluru (joined 1974)
- Drishti System: India’s first indigenous Runway Visual Range measurement system
- Deployed: 100+ airports and airstrips across India
- Reduces fog-related flight disruptions; DGCA-certified, ICAO-compliant
- Also developed: Advanced Infrared Detectors (defence + space dual-use)
- Education: BSc, MSc (both Rank 1), PhD, Central College, Bengaluru
