Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor, is a graduate of St Stephen's College, Delhi University. He was commissioned into 63 CAVALRY, an elite tank regiment of the Indian Army in Dec 1987. He assumed the appointment of Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Info Sys & Coord) on 09 June 2023. The General Officer has served in all parts and terrain of the country including Rann of Kutch & super high altitude in the Eastern Sector. He commanded an Armoured Regiment in the deserts and riverine terrain, an Armoured Brigade, Reorganised Army Plain Infantry Division and the coveted Desert Corps. He has been an advisor to the Botswana Def Forces. He has tenanted Operational staff assignments at Bde, Div and HQ Comd. He has also been a Director in Perspective Planning Dte and Director General Capb Devp at Army HQ. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Higher Defence Management College, Secunderabad and US Army War College, Pennsylvania.

Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti was commissioned into the Indian Navy in Jul 1988. An alumnus, NDA, Khadakwasala, awarded the President's Gold Medal on passing out. He was the recipient of the 'Binoculars' during Sea Cadet Training, Sword of Honour during Midshipmen training and Adm RD Katari Trophy for standing first during Sub Courses. The Flag Officer is a Navigation and Direction specialist, where he stood first in the Course and was adjudged the Best All-round Trainee.

He did the Overseas Staff Course from France and Naval Higher Command Course, where he was awarded the CNS Gold Medal for Best Op Paper.

His afloat appointments include Navigating Officer of INS Kirpan, Commissioning Navigating Officer of INS Mysore, Direction Officer, INS Viraat and Executive Officer, INS Delhi. The Flag Officer has commanded INS Nishank, INS Kora and was the commissioning CO of INS Kolkata.

He has held important staff appointments that include Instructor, Project 15 Training Team, Joint Director of Staff Requirements and Joint Director of Personnel at Naval Headquarters and Captain Work Up at Local Workup Team (East). He served as the Naval Attache at the Embassy of India, Moscow from 2016 to 2018. On promotion to Rear Admiral, he was appointed as the Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala from Mar 2019 to Jan 2021 and as Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet from Feb 2021 to Dec 2021. On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral on 24 Dec 21, he was appointed as Director General Project Seabird. He held additional charge as Director General Naval Operations from Jul-Sep 23, prior taking over the present appointment as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters, Ministry of Defence.

The Flag Officer comes from a service background. His late father was in the Army and retired as a Maj Gen. His mother was a school teacher. His elder brother too was in the Army and retired in 2017. He did most of his schooling from Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, New Delhi. The Flag Officer is married to Mrs Shagun Sobti, who is also from an Army background and is an Educationist by profession. She is currently working as an Academic Advisor to the Society for Advancement of Education who run the Cambridge group of Schools in Delhi/NCR. They have one daughter, Mallika, who holds a Master's degree in Development Studies and a Bachelor's degree in Economics. She is presently working for ID Insight, a global advisory, data analytics and research organization specializing in social impact evaluation, and is based at Nairobi, Kenya

A distinguished soldier and astute administrator, General Vijay Kumar Singh's illustrious career spans over five decades of exemplary service to the nation. He served as the 24th Chief of Army Staff from 2010 to 2012, playing an instrumental role in enhancing operational preparedness and modernizing the Indian Armed Forces.

Decorated with the prestigious Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and Yudh Seva Medal (YSM), among others, Post superannuation General VK Singh transitioned seamlessly into Public service. He has served as the Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Road Transport & Highways in the previous government. He has also held crucial portfolios, including Minister of State for External Affairs, and independent charge of the Ministry of Development of the North-Eastern Region, Ministry of Planning and Statistics, and Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.

As a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) representing the Ghaziabad constituency in Uttar Pradesh and Union Minister of India from 2014-2024, General Singh has played a pivotal role in several critical operations. In 2015, he spearheaded 'Operation Raahat' for the evacuation of Indian citizens and foreign nationals from war-torn Yemen. A year later, he led 'Operation Sankat Mochan' to rescue Indians from South Sudan. In 2018, he oversaw efforts to locate missing Indian workers in Iraq during the nation's fight against ISIS.

General Singh's exceptional leadership and strategic acumen were once again demonstrated when he was among the four Union Ministers overseeing the evacuation of Indian students from Ukraine via neighbouring countries during the recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

With an unwavering dedication to serving the nation, General Vijay Kumar Singh's vast experience, strategic brilliance, and visionary leadership continue to inspire generations. His invaluable contributions to national security, crisis management, infrastructure development, and policy-making have left an indelible mark on the country's progress.

Lt Gen RS Raman, AVSM, YSM was commissioned into the infantry in Jun 1989. He is a graduate of the Defence Service Staff College, Senior Command Course, Higher Defence Management course and National Defence College. He commanded an Infantry Bn in CI (Ops), OP RAKSHAK, J&K, an Infantry Brigade and a Infantry Division in the HAA (J&K). His instructional appointments have been at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and College of Defence Management at Secunderabad. His staff assignments have been at Military Operations Dte, Sr Staff Offr Adm at HQ UNIFIL (UN Lebanon), Colonel MS and Deputy MS at Military Secretary Branch, BGS of a Corps in HAA and ADG MI at IHQ of MoD (Army). He is currently Director General Military Intelligence (DGMI) at Army HQ.

Vice Admiral Lochan Singh Pathania is the Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India since February 2024, bringing nearly four decades of distinguished naval service. Specializing in Hydrography, he has commanded INS Darshak and INS Sandhayak, overseeing comprehensive hydrographic surveys spanning the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the East Coast of India. Notable for his international collaboration, he contributed to surveys in Oman and the United Kingdom. His tenure at the National Hydrographic Office and Naval Headquarters included pivotal roles, driving force-level planning, infrastructure development, and international coordination. A graduate of the Naval Academy, he holds advanced degrees in Defence and Strategic Studies and Management Studies from esteemed institutions, reflecting his commitment to excellence in maritime operations and strategy.

Dr. Prateek Sharma is Vice Chancellor, Delhi Technological University, Delhi. He pursued his Ph. D. degree in Environmental Engineering from Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi; M.E. (Hydraulics) and B.E. (Civil) from Civil Engineering Department, Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi.

Dr Sharma has more than 28 years of research and teaching experience. His general research interest focusses on environmental systems modelling, statistical applications in environmental and water resources engineering and, environmental risk assessment. He has contributed to several high impact academic journals and authored two books in the area of vehicular pollution modelling and stochastic modelling and one monograph.

Dr. Sharma is a member of several professional societies. He has been admitted as a Fellow of Wessex Institute of Great Britain in 2004, in recognition of outstanding scholarly work in the field of air quality modelling. He is also a Fellow of Institution of Engineers (India). He is a member of the National Knowledge Network (NKN) constituted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to support the activities of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched by the Ministry of Environment Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

Maj Gen (Dr) Ashok Kumar, VSM (R) was commissioned in June 1984 in the Army Air Defence, Indian Army. The officer has excelled on the prestigious courses that he has attended. He has served in a variety of challenging Regimental, Staff and Instructional assignments in his 37 years of service. He has a Doctorate in Defence and Strategic Studies. An Author of two books and a prolific writer who has 300 published articles. He is a recipient of the prestigious Vishisht Seva Medal. Presently he is Director General of Centre For Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) with effect from Feb 2024.

Andy Stephenson is a dynamic business leader renowned for his expertise in selling global communications, geospatial, AI, and machine learning solutions to government, defense, national security, and private sector clients. He combines strong commercial acumen with a collaborative yet decisive management style. Andy excels in growing market share, boosting revenue, and securing new business through direct sales and partnerships. His strategic management experience includes devising country and region-specific objectives to achieve sustainable growth. Known for his intellect, vision, and drive, Andy influences senior stakeholders and leads large teams, fostering a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.

Lt. Col. Gil Elmalem is the DDR&D (Directorate of Defense Research and Development in Hebrew - MAFAT) Attache to India since August 2022. He is responsible for initiating and expending the Defense and Dual-Use R&D collaboration between Israel and India. Lt. Col. Elmalem has started his career as an officer in the Israeli Air-Force at 2002 as a Computer Engineer and later was qualified as a UAV Operator. He holds a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering from Jerusalem Collage of Technology, M.B.A from Ben-Gurion University and a second M.A for European Union studies from Tel-Aviv University.

Lt Gen Anil Kumar Bhatt, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM was the Military Secretary of the Indian Army. Prior to this, he served as the 47th Commander. Prior to this he was the Director General of Military operations for one year including during the Doklam crisis in 2017. During his tenure as Corps Commander maximum terrorists were neutralized in comparison to the last one decade.

Lt Gen PJS Pannu, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, (Retd) former Deputy Chief of Indian Integrated Defence Staff a second generation officer.

He is an alumni of the Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. He is PhD in Business Management with thesis on Indigenisation of Defence Industry. An alumnus of prestigious Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, and Information Sharing and Analysis Centre - and a certified National Cyber Scholar.

He is currently the FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) Chairperson of task force on ICT modernisation for Defence. Chairperson for Satcom (Space) Industries Association (SIA). He is a distinguished fellow of USI, He has co-authored a book titled 'The Power of future Machines' and authored many publications on Defence Technology. He is head of the Military History and Strategy Vertical of the Valley of Words, an international Literature fest organisation. He has contributed to seminal work on MOSAIC Warfare: India's Transformational Necessity.

As Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) he was entrusted with a distinguished task of the raising of three premiere defence agencies; Defence Space Agency (DSA), Defence Cyber Agency (DCyA) and the Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD) special operations.

He was an instructor at IMA, Dehradun. He has immense experience in Military Operations with three tenures in Military Operations Branch of Army Head Quarters. As the Director Perspective Planning, he dealt with the Budgets, future Plans and the Force Structuring.

He commanded his Battalion and an Infantry Brigade in Uri Sector on the Line of Control. He has commanded an Infantry Division on the Line of Actual Control with China and commanded the Corps deployed in two fronts (Pakistan and China together) and the highest battle field of the world.

He has also served in two foreign missions in a multi-national force environment under the United Nations in Mozambique and Sudan as Chiefs of Operations in both Missions.

For his distinguished services he was decorated with PARAM VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL, ATI VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL and VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL and the COAS Commendation Card.

Colonel Marcin Mazur, Vice-President of the Polish Space Agency (POLSA), leads security and defense activities, focusing on dual-use satellite capabilities for military and civilian applications, including Earth Observation (EO), Satellite Communications (SATCOM), and Space Situational Awareness (SSA). Commissioned in 1998, he holds a Master's in Topography and Mapping from the Military University of Technology in Warsaw. Mazur has served in various geospatial and intelligence roles, including at NATO Response Forces and the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces. He co-chaired the Polish-Italian Operational Working Group and led the Inter-ministerial Earth Observation Task Group.

Dr. Shiv Prasad Aggarwal, Director of North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) since September 2021, is a distinguished scientist with expertise in Remote Sensing and GIS applications. With a B.Tech. from Allahabad University and a Ph.D. from IARI, New Delhi, he excels in hydrological modelling. Dr. Aggarwal led initiatives in space technology for Natural Resource Management, Disaster Risk Management, and Weather Forecasting. Previously, he headed the Water Resources Department at Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), ISRO. Recognized with prestigious awards, he is President of Indian Society of Remote Sensing (ISRS) and a Fellow of key engineering and scientific societies.

Professor V.S. Subrahmanian is a leader in design, analysis and application of AI-based models for real world problems that helps governments and companies in optimal decision-making. He is the Walter P. Murphy Professor of Computer Science at the McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University and Buffett Faculty Fellow at the Northwestern Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs. He has also coauthored books on terrorist outfits Lashker-e-Toiba and Indian Mujahideen.

Commodore Atul Deswal, an alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy-Goa, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jan 93. He has had a stint of 3 decades in the Indian Navy during which he has held various appointments at sea and ashore. He is a Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist and has served on several frontline destroyers and frigates as communication officer. Additionally, he has also tenetted the appointment of Fleet Electronic Warfare Officer of the Western Fleet, the 'sword arm' of the Indian Navy.

The officer has commanded a frontline destroyer and was commissioning Executive Officer of a stealth frigate. A graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. His staff appointments include Defence Attache in Brazil, a tenure at HQ IDS as Deputy Assistant Chief Integrated Defence Staff International Defence Cooperation, and Joint Communication Electronic Staff. He is presently posted at Naval HQ as Deputy Director General, Navy Cyber Group and CISO Navy. His instructional appointments include instructor at Signal School, and Directing Staff at the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

Dr Chalee Vorakulpipat is the principal researcher and head of the Information Security Research Team at the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) in Thailand. He has a background in information systems and focuses his research on information security, digital transformation, health IT, and data privacy. His most recent impactful project is the International COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate, involving a wide range of stakeholders such as travellers, physicians, public health personnel, and IT developers. Information systems research in the UK offers a new paradigm and perspective, leading to the emergence of a diverse array of new research topics within specific contexts, such as women in IT, IT in developing countries, and IT in specific settings. All universities in the UK maintain a high standard, with little variation between them.

Lt Gen Rajiv Kumar Sahni, VSM took over as DGIS on 01 Sep 2023. The General Officer is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned in December 1988 in the Corps of Electronics & Mechanical Engineering (EME). He has commanded Workshop in the sensitive Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, along the Line of Control and EME Battalion in RALP sector. The General Officer is a graduate of Higher Defence Management Course and Advance Professional Programme in Public Administration.

In his three and a half decades of distinguished military career, he has tenanted important and challenging command and staff appointments in different operational environments which include Maj Gen of Central Command, Command of the EME Training Centre, Brig EME of a Corps in Eastern Theatre, Directing Staff and Head of Faculty at College of Defence Management, Director at MGO Branch and General Staff Officer Grade I at Directorate General of Operational Logistics & Strategic Movement. The General Officer has been part of multiple 'Subject Matter Expert Exchanges' on Supply Chain and Logistics with Other Armies.

A fellow of Institute of Engineers, General Officer has a rare Distinction of being Certified Level 'A' Project Director from International Project Management Association (IPMA). An M Phil in Management from Osmania and Punjab Universities, the General holds PhD in 'Defence Acquisitions'.

For his illustrious service, he has been conferred with the award of Vishisht Seva Medal and has been commended six times by the COAS, CISC and Army Commanders. A thinker who has been contributing constructively in the domain of Services Supply Chains and Sustenance aspects. Endowed with immense human values, the General Officer is a firm believer of 'People First'.

Maj General S A Kulatunge RWP RSP VSV USP psc is a senior officer from the Corps of Engineers of the Sri Lanka Army. He is presently serving as the Commander Security Forces (East) and Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Corps of Agriculture & Livestock. During his illustrious career of 35 years, he has commanded two Infantry Brigades and an Infantry Division with distinction. He has also successfully held many responsible staff and instructor appointments including the appointment of Chief Field Engineer of the Sri Lanka Army. He is a decorated officer for his valor demonstrated in the battle. He has followed many local and overseas courses. Significant amongst them is the conferring of Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies form USA. He also served as a UN peacekeeper in Haiti. He is a National level shooter and an impressive Golfer. He has represented Sri Lanka at various seminars with distinction.

Rohan is a passionate entrepreneur on a mission to make our world better through maps and location technologies. He has significant experience as an industry leader in the digital mapping, geospatial technologies and automotive mobility technologies sectors. In 2004 while still an undergraduate at Stanford University, the then 19 year old Rohan created India's first interactive internet mapping portal, MapmyIndia.com. And on July 26, 2007 he joined the MapmyIndia board as a full time Director and thus began a period of high growth for the company and sustained value creation for the stakeholders. But his finest hour came in December 2021 when MapmyIndia was recognized as a 'Unicorn'' post the company's blockbuster IPO that was oversubscribed by more than 154 times and the stock listed with an opening day premium of 65% despite uncertain market conditions.

Rohan has had experience in geospatial industry at various stages of its evolution, he has focused on bringing significant benefits of maps and location technologies to individuals, businesses and governments. He has previously worked with leading technology and consulting giants like Microsoft Corporation in Washington, USA and with McKinsey & Co. and Intel Corporation in California, USA. This experience has proved invaluable in the discharge of his current responsibilities as CEO and Executive Director, at MapmyIndia, where he drives corporate strategy/growth, sales/marketing, product and technology/innovation. Rohan has global ambitions for MapmyIndia. And work has already begun in earnest to take company's products and solutions global, under the brand 'Mappls'. A technocrat at heart Rohan believes that there is a limitless potential to make the lives of millions of people better. A meritorious student, Rohan has been the recipient of the prestigious President's Award for Academic Excellence at Stanford University, USA from where he pursued Electrical Engineering. He also holds a master's degree in Business Administration with Distinction from the London Business School (2015). And here too he distinguished himself by earning the Dean's List Award.

Being a tech evangelist with rich entrepreneurial experience, Rohan is sought after by leading industry bodies and companies. He is a member of the CII National Committee on Space and represents MapmyIndia as a Founder Member in the Indian Space Association. He is part of the Governing Council - IAMAI (Internet and Mobile Association of India). He is co-chair of the FICCI Committee on Space & Geospatial Applications and a member of the FICCI National Executive Committee. He sits on the Board of the publicly listed Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company, the financial services arm of Murugappa Group, with a loan book of INR 50,000+ crores, where he advises the company on how to leverage technology and phygital innovations for future growth and success.

Dr. Pankaj kumar Dalela holds Ph.D. and M.Tech. degree in Microwave Engineering from IIT BHU Varanasi, India in 2008 and 1996. He obtained B.Tech (Electronics Engineering) from H.B.T.I., Kanpur in 1993. He is employed with C-DOT since Aug'1996 and presently holds post of Director (Board Member) at C-DOT, Delhi. He worked in HCL Hewlett Packard since 1993 to 1994. His Research interests are in the area of ICT in Disaster Management, IoT, Telecomm network planning, design of Geo-Intelligence algorithms for different ITU-T engines and mobile radio channel characterization. Dr. Dalela received URSI Young Scientist award in 2005, Aegis Graham Bell award for "Innovative Managed Services" in 2016 and Elcina award of Excellence in 2017 respectively. He has published more than 50 Research papers in different National, International conferences and peer reviewed reputed journals e.g. IEEE, Springer, Annals etc. He has 4 patents granted from US, Canada, China and India.

Dr Rituraj Kumar, Sc 'H'/OS, is an alumnus of St Stephens College Delhi, IIT Delhi and IISc Bangalore. He joined DRDO as a trainee in the Electronics Fellowship Course of DRDO in 1993, and was subsequently posted to LRDE from 1994 till 2002 and then in CAIR from 2002 till date. He has assumed charge of Director CAIR on the 28th July 2023. During his career, he has been involved in the development of technologies and systems in the areas of Net-Centric Command & Control, Cyber Security, Military Communications and Networking, and Large Software System Integration. His research has been published in peer reviewed international journals and presented in international conferences, and he also has patents to his name. He has been part of various national committees related to cyber technologies and systems. He has also been an invited instructor to military training establishments. He has been a recipient of various awards like Laboratory Scientist of the Year, National Science Day Commendation Certificate, DRDO Award for Performance Excellence, National Technology Day Commendation Certificate, and DRDO Scientist of the Year. He has been an avid sports and adventure enthusiast. He was part of the playing five in the basketball nationals in 1983 as a shooting guard, and later in life formed the basketball team of CAIR. He has ground colours in cross country running awarded by Delhi University and continues to run marathons. He has done mountaineering courses and many high-altitude expeditions till date. He is also a former NCC cadet.