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
