Who is Prof. V Kamakoti, IIT Madras director and former JEE chairman joining exam reforms force Priyanka Gandhi called a 'gaumutra expert' in Lok Sabha?

The computer scientist behind India's first homegrown microprocessor and sits on the National Security Advisory Board is now at the centre of a Parliament controversy, after Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi referred to him as a "gaumutra expert" during a Lok Sabha debate on exam reforms.

The man in question is V Kamakoti, director of IIT-Madras and one of the members of the high-powered task force announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to overhaul the National Testing Agency's examination system, following the 2026 NEET paper leak and weeks of protests.

Who is Prof. V Kamakoti


Kamakoti Veezhinathan completed both his MS and PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT-Madras, and joined its faculty in 2001. He took charge as the institute's director in January 2022.

His specialisation sits at the intersection of computer architecture, information security, and VLSI design, which is the process of integrating complex electronic circuits onto a single chip.

The work he is perhaps best known for is leading the team that developed Shakti, India's first indigenous microprocessor. The project was funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and has been seen as a significant step in India's push for technological self-reliance, particularly at a time when the country's dependence on foreign chip design has become a national security concern.

Beyond Shakti, Kamakoti has chaired the Artificial Intelligence Task Force set up by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and headed the information security education and awareness programme at IIT-Madras. He is also a member of the National Security Advisory Board, the body that advises the government on matters of strategic and security policy.

Earlier this year, he was conferred the Padma Shri in the science and engineering category, recognised specifically for his contributions to computer architecture research and national security.

His other accolades include the DRDO Academic Excellence Award, the IBM Faculty Award, the ACCS Life-time Achievement Award, and an Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship.

Why he is on the task force

The task force was announced after former education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following prolonged protests over the NEET paper leak. The panel is led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani and also includes former ISRO chairman S Somnath, former IB director Tapan Deka, former education secretary Anita Karwal, and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.

Kamakoti's inclusion is tied directly to his background in information security and his experience overseeing large-scale examination processes at IIT-Madras, where he has previously served as Chairman of JEE.

After being named to the panel, Kamakoti spoke about what he sees as the core problem with India's exam system. He said the number of students appearing for competitive examinations has grown enormously over four decades, making the integrity of the process harder to guarantee at scale.

He drew a distinction between the 2024 and 2026 NEET leaks. In 2024, he said, the leak happened during transit of question papers after printing, and the investigating agency determined it affected around 40 to 50 students. The 2026 leak, he said, was more serious because it did not happen during distribution. It originated with the question paper setter.

"We need teachers whom we can trust, people who will set the question paper, maintain complete confidentiality, and faithfully discharge their responsibility without revealing its contents. This is the single biggest challenge we face," he said.

The Parliament row

During the Lok Sabha debate on the anti-paper leak bill, Priyanka Gandhi questioned the composition of the task force and referred to Kamakoti as a "gaumutra expert," saying the panel included "one ex-IB chief, one IT company owner, and one gaumutra expert."

Priyanka Gandhi's "gaumutra expert" remark was a direct callback to a controversy from January 2025, when Kamakoti spoke at a cow shelter event during Maatu Pongal in Chennai and claimed that cow urine has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, narrating an anecdote of a saint who reportedly recovered from high fever within 15 minutes of drinking it. He also said it could help manage conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.

The video went viral and drew swift criticism from political parties and medical professionals.

The remark drew an immediate response from BJP leader Anurag Thakur, who called it an attack on one of India's foremost scientists. Thakur listed Kamakoti's credentials, including his role as former AI Task Force chairman, and pushed back on the characterisation.

When a voice from the Opposition benches was heard saying Kamakoti was associated with the RSS, Thakur did not deny it, saying: "Even if he is associated with the RSS, there is nothing wrong with that."

Thakur also turned the gaumutra remark back on Gandhi, saying the brother and sister were alike and suggesting, pointedly, that perhaps they should try gaumutra themselves.

(With agency inputs)