♦ Eminent Scientist Ankathi Raju was appointed as Director of Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad and assumed charge as Director of the Indian missile development laboratory on 1 November 2025. 

♦ DRDL plays a pivotal role in the design, development, and delivery of advanced missile systems for national defence.

♦ Ankathi Raju is a Life Member of Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI), Life Member of High Energy Materials Society of India (HEMSI), Life Member of Indian Society of Systems for Science & Engineering (ISSE).