Yash Sharma: Dr. Tessy Thomas

2026-05-06T18:31:18Z

Dr. Tessy Thomas

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{{SHORTDESC:Indian aerospace engineer and missile scientist (born 1963)}} {{#seo:|title=Tessy Thomas Biography – India's Missile Woman|title_mode=append|keywords=Tessy Thomas, Missile Woman of India, DRDO scientist, Agni IV project director, Indian aerospace engineer|description=Tessy Thomas is an Indian aerospace engineer known for her work on India's missile programs and as the project director of Agni-IV.|image=Tessy Thomas.png|image_alt=Tessy Thomas portrait}}
{| class="infobox" style="width:22em; font-size:90%; text-align:left; border-spacing:0px; background-color:#f9f9f9; border:1px solid #aaa; float:right; margin-left:1em;"
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; font-size:larger; padding:5px 0;" |'''Tessy Thomas''' {{Golden Badge}}
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; padding:0;" |[[File:Dr. Tessy Thomas.png|alt=Dr. Tessy Thomas|297x297px]]
|-
| style="width:35%; padding:5px;" |'''Born'''
| style="width:65%; padding:5px;" |April 1963
Alappuzha (Alleppy), Kerala, India
|-
| style="padding:5px;" |'''Nationality'''
| style="padding:5px;" |Indian
|-
| style="padding:5px;" |'''Education'''
| style="padding:5px;" |B.Tech (Thrissur Engineering College)
M.Tech Guided Missile (Institute of Armament Technology, Pune)
|-
| style="padding:5px;" |'''Occupation'''
| style="padding:5px;" |Aerospace Engineer, Scientist
|-
| style="padding:5px;" |'''Known for'''
| style="padding:5px;" |Agni missile program, Project Director of Agni-IV
|-
| style="padding:5px;" |'''Spouse'''
| style="padding:5px;" |Saroj Kumar
|-
| style="padding:5px;" |'''Children'''
| style="padding:5px;" |1 Son
|-
| style="padding:5px;" |'''Awards'''
| style="padding:5px;" |Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award
ETPrime Women Leadership Award (2023)
|}
'''Tessy Thomas''' (born April 1963) is an Indian aerospace engineer known for her work on India's missile programs. She joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 1985 and later became the project director of the Agni-IV ballistic missile. She is widely referred to as India's "Missile Woman" and "Agniputri" in the media.<ref>https://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/science/tessy-thomas-indias-missile-woman-breaking-barriers-in-drdo</ref>

== Early Life and Education ==
Tessy Thomas was born in Alappuzha (Alleppy), Kerala. She completed her B.Tech from Thrissur Engineering College. She later earned an M.Tech in Guided Missile from the Institute of Armament Technology in Pune, where she also served as a faculty member.<ref>https://www.indiatoday.in/auto/interview/story/drivers-of-change-tessy-thomas-2518580-2024-03-23</ref>

== Career ==
Thomas began her career with DRDO in 1985. From 1988 onward, she worked at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad, focusing on missile development.

Her primary work involved designing guidance systems and working with solid propellants used in Agni missiles. She played a key role as Assistant Project Director during the successful launch of Agni-III in May 2008.<ref>https://zeenews.india.com/photos/india/missile-woman-of-india-meet-drdo-scientist-dr-tessy-thomas-brain-behind-agni-5-who-once-aspired-to-become-ias-2633406</ref>

In 2009, she became the project director of the Agni-IV ballistic missile. Following this achievement, she gained national recognition and was popularly called India's "Missile Woman".<ref>https://thesouthfirst.com/kerala/women-need-to-embrace-unique-fields-to-become-empowered-missile-woman-dr-tessy-thomas/</ref>

== Personal Life ==
Tessy Thomas is married to Saroj Kumar, a commander in the Indian Navy. The couple has one son.<ref>https://www.cnbctv18.com/photos/science/10-indian-women-scientists-who-made-history-15901611.htm</ref>

== Awards and Recognition ==
Tessy Thomas has received several awards for her contributions to science and defense technology:

* Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for excellence in missile technology
* Dr. Thomas Cangan Leadership Award (2018)
* ETPrime Women Leadership Awards – Woman Pioneer of the Year (2023)
* Named among Asian Scientist 100 (2023)

== Publications ==
Tessy Thomas has contributed to several research publications in defense science and missile technology, including:

* "Guidance Scheme for Solid Propelled Vehicle during Atmospheric Phase" (2005)
* "Online Trajectory Reshaping for a Launch Vehicle" (2013)
* Contributions to International Symposium on Ballistics (2017)

== Legacy ==
Tessy Thomas is regarded as a pioneering figure in India's defense research sector. Her leadership in missile development programs has played a significant role in strengthening India's strategic capabilities.

== References ==
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Dr. Tessy Thomas - Revision history

Yash Sharma: Dr. Tessy Thomas