Diwakar holds the position of “ISRO Chair Professor” at National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) and works on research projects related to space technology, particularly related to data processing from Earth Observation Satellites and Geospatial Technologies.
Prior to joining NIAS, he served for over three decades at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and held several senior level positions and was responsible for developing many diverse applications of space technology to help the nation in its developmental activities.
Diwakar was awarded his PhD in “Participatory GIS: Participator Geomatics in process-based watershed development” from the National Institute of Technology (NITK), Surathkal, Karnataka and has significantly contributed in the area of geospatial technology and its use in wide variety of applications. He has extensively worked in the use of remote sensing and geospatial technology to bring about many applications of space technologies that are popularly being used in the country today. While he has contributed in many application areas of national importance, related to Land, Water, and Ocean, he was also responsible for a major WebGIS initiative in the country, such as, setting up of “Bhuvan Geoportal” for online geospatial services on natural resources management.
During his career in ISRO he has held many key positions, such as, Head-Regional Remote Sensing Service Centre, Bengaluru, Deputy Director, National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Director of Earth Observation System & Disaster Management Support Programme, and many others. He retired as Scientific Secretary, ISRO. Apart from this, he has also held key positions in representing ISRO in many international forums, to name a few, Committee of Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), Board member in International Charter “Space & Major Disasters”, Principle point of contact for UN-ESCAP.
