Nallathamby Kalaiselvi

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In August 2022, N Kalaiselvi took charge as Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), and Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), becoming the first woman to lead India’s largest public-funded scientific research organisation. Before moving to Delhi, she headed CSIR–Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI) in Karaikudi, consistently bridging laboratory science and national technology priorities. 

Trained as a chemist, Kalaiselvi’s career has been defined by a deep focus on energy storage. Over more than two decades, her research has centred on electrochemical power systems, particularly lithium and post-lithium batteries, supercapacitors, and novel electrodes and electrolytes. 

At CECRI, she played a key role in developing sodium-ion and lithium–sulfur batteries and helped shape India’s electric mobility roadmap. With over 135 research papers, six patents, and a strong record of mentoring doctoral researchers, Kalaiselvi’s contributions have been recognised through multiple honours, including the MRSI Medal, CSIR Raman Research Fellowship, and the CV Raman Mahila Vijnana Puraskara.