Building the Future of Global Trade Without Borders

As Secretary DRDO Dr. Saraswat played a pivotal role in: (i) establishment of the command, control, communication, storage, transportation and deployment infrastructure for strategic nuclear assets to support the nuclear doctrine; (ii) Flight Evaluation of long range sub-sonic cruise missile (iii) Long Range Radars for tracking incoming (enemy) Ballistic missiles, Command control and communication network, Command Centres with decision support system for defence of National Capital Region against enemies’ ballistic missile threat, (iv) Established Cyber Security Research and Development Centre for developing offensive and defensive technologies for cyber security.

As Member, NITI Aayog, Initiated a programme to develop “Methanol Economy” for transportation, energy generation and production of chemicals, fertilizers etc. Production agencies, academic institutions and Petro-refineries have been brought on a common platform to leap frog in “Methanol Economy”. M-15 gasoline blend, methanol cook stove and methanol fueled propulsion for Inland Waterways and Methanol-fueled gensets are being introduced as part of “Methanol Economy” initiative in the country. R&D activity in gasification of High Ash content Indian coal has been initiated at Academia & Industry.

As Chairman of Committee for development of Indian Microprocessor led a team to evolve the configuration of the M-Processor for IOT, Smart Cities and other ICT applications, laid out the strategy for development with DieTy, CDAC, IIT(M), IIT(B) and SCL Chandigarh. Two devices have already been developed in IIT(B) and IIT(M).

Chaired a Committee on Technical Textile and prepared a roadmap for futuristic growth of technical textiles in India with respect to promotion of industries for indigenous production of technical textiles and fibres such as Carbon and Aramid for strategic and ballistic needs, laying due emphasis on reviving R & D structure in the sector.

As Chairman NTPC R&D Advisory Council similar alternate energy technology development plan has been prepared with focus on clean coal technologies viz. Integrated Gasification and combined cycle system, Advanced ultra-super critical Thermal Power Plant to work on efficiencies better than 40% and highly reduced greenhouse emissions.

Evolved a Concept Document for setting up Indian Railway Research Institute (SHRESHTHA) for Indian Railway that would propel indigenous designs and manufacturing in the forthcoming programmes like High Speed Rail System and Dedicated Freight Corridor and usher a new era of R&D in Railway.

Initiated a programme for development of Silicon-Photonics technology by setting up Photonics Valley Corporation at Telengana. Govt. of Telengana initiative in collaboration with Photonics Inc USA. This will be a game changer for the next generation of networks like 5G and super computers.

Led an Empowered Technical Advisory Committee for the development of National Super Computing Systems. Configuration and strategy for development have been evolved and programme has been launched as a multi-organisation mission.

Chaired a Committee and submitted a Report titled “Roadmap for Make in India in Body Armour”, release of Indian Standards on body armour by BIS, R&D work on Carbon Nano Tube etc.

He is a recipient of many awards and most notable among them being Padma Shri (1998), Padma Bhushan (2013). He has been conferred Honorary Doctorate by more than 28 Universities.

Prof. Mani has an outstanding academic record, having secured first-class-first position throughout his education. He obtained his Master's degree from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1976, standing first in the university and receiving both the Altekar Gold Medal and the BHU Gold Medal. In 1980, he was awarded a Ph.D. from BHU for his doctoral thesis titled "Life in the Kushan Age."

From 1978 to 1984, he taught at Banaras Hindu University and the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies. In 1984, he joined the Archaeological Survey of India as Deputy Superintending Archaeologist.

Since then, he has been actively involved in the conservation and preservation of monuments in Maharashtra, Goa, Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir. During his explorations, he discovered numerous archaeological sites in these regions as well as in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana

Prof. Mani has directed more than twenty excavation projects across India, including Lal Kot and Salimgarh (Delhi), Muhammad Nagar and Harnol (Haryana), Siswania, Sankisa, Ayodhya (Ram Janmabhoomi), Lathiya (Uttar Pradesh), and Kanispur and Ambaran (Jammu & Kashmir).

During 2013–2015, he conducted re-excavations at the important archaeological sites of Kapilavastu, Rajghat, and Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh. He is also the first Director General of the National Museum to have undertaken excavations at the Early Harappan site of Kunal in Haryana. At present, he is directing excavations at the Painted Grey Ware (PGW) site of Kurdi in Uttar Pradesh.

Prof. Mani is a member of several national and international academic organizations and has travelled extensively across Europe, America, and Asia to participate in seminars, conferences, and scholarly meetings. He has authored six books and published nearly 200 research papers in reputed national and international journals.

He is currently serving as the Vice Chairman of the Indian Archaeological Society, New Delhi, and is the Editor of the prestigious journals Puratattva and Purapravaha.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Indian archaeology, heritage studies, museum development and cultural preservation, Prof. (Dr) B. R. Mani was awarded the Padma Shri by the Hon'ble President of India on 25 May 2026.