Who Is K. Subrahmanyam? Age, Biography and Wiki
K. Subrahmanyam was born on January 19, 1929, and passed away in 2011, making him 82 years old at the time of his death. He played a significant role as a civil servant in India and was well-known for his contributions to the Indian defense and strategic community. As the chief of the Indian government's defense think tank, he influenced policy-making in India and was celebrated for his intellect and dedication to public service. His insights into national security and strategic affairs have left a lasting impact on India's defense policies.
| Occupation | Journalist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 19, 1929 |
| Age | 82 Years |
| Birth Place | Tiruchirapalli, Madras Presidency, British India |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 2 February, 2011 |
| Died Place | New Delhi, Delhi, India |
Popularity
K. Subrahmanyam's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
K. Subrahmanyam was not primarily known for his physical statistics, as his legacy lies in his intellectual contributions. However, records indicate he had an average height of about 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) and maintained an average build throughout his life. His focus was primarily on his work and influence rather than on any superficial measures.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
K. Subrahmanyam was married and had a supportive family that played a significant role in his personal and professional life. Details about his marriage and relationships are relatively private; however, it is known that he had children who have continued to honor his legacy. His dedication to his family was balanced with his commitment to his career.
At an early age, he was married to Sulochana, a lady of his own community and similar family background, in a match arranged by their parents. They had three sons; IAS officer S Vijay Kumar, Indian diplomat and Foreign Minister (from 2019) S Jaishankar, historian Sanjay Subrahmanyam, and a daughter, Sudha Subrahmanyam.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, K. Subrahmanyam’s net worth was estimated to be substantial for a civil servant, reflecting his high-profile positions within government service. His salary as a senior bureaucrat contributed to his financial stability, but specific figures regarding his annual earnings have not been publicly disclosed. His wealth was built over decades of service and dedicated work in government roles.
During the final year of his MSc studies at University of Madras, Subrahmanyam appeared for the IAS Exam (Civil Services Exam) held by the UPSC in 1950 and stood first among those who opted for the Indian Administrative Service. He was duly appointed to the Indian Administrative Service in the batch of 1951.
He was allotted to the administrative cadre of Madras Presidency and was transferred to the Tamil Nadu cadre when that state was created in 1956.
During the course of his career in the civil service, he served in several remote districts of undivided Madras precinct and Tamil Nadu, as well as in various capacities in New Delhi, including as chairman, Joint Intelligence Committee, as Member, Board of Revenue, Government of Tamil Nadu; Home Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu; as Additional Se
cretary, Cabinet Secretariat, New Delhi, and as Secretary for Defence Production in the Ministry of Defence.
Career, Business and Investments
K. Subrahmanyam’s career was primarily focused on public service. He held many prominent positions, notably as the Secretary of the Defense Production in India. He was instrumental in shaping India's defense production policies and fostering indigenous defense capabilities. Additionally, he served as a member of the National Security Advisory Board, where he advised on crucial decisions regarding national security.
While K. Subrahmanyam was primarily a civil servant, he also consulted on various strategic and defense-related projects. His thoughts on international relations and security have been published in various formats, helping to build a solid intellectual legacy.
In 1965–66, he sought mid-career study leave, and was selected as a Rockefeller fellow in Strategic Studies at the London School of Economics in 1966. On returning to India, he was appointed Director of the newly created Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) in New Delhi, a position he held until 1975.
He then went on to hold a number of senior positions in the Government before returning as Director of IDSA in 1980. In 1987, he returned to England as a Visiting Professor and Nehru Fellow at St John's College, Cambridge.
Between 1974 and 1986, Subrahmanyam served on a number of UN and other multilateral study groups, on issues such as Indian Ocean affairs, disarmament and nuclear deterrence; he also participated at various Pugwash conferences as a senior member. Subrahmanyam is the author or co-author of fourteen books.
These include The Liberation War (1972) with Mohammed Ayoob about the Bangladesh Liberation War, nuclear Myths and Realities (1980), India and the nuclear Challenge (1986), The Second Cold War (1983) and Superpower Rivalry in the Indian Ocean (1989) with Selig S Harrison.
Social Network
K. Subrahmanyam was not directly associated with social media during his lifetime, as platforms like Facebook and Twitter gained prominence after his passing. However, his legacy continues to be discussed on various academic and governmental forums dedicated to defense and strategic studies. Various organizations and publications that collect and share his work help keep his contributions to public knowledge.
The so-called 'Subrahmanyam Formula' was widely used, especially in the mid-1960s and throughout the 1970s, to support India's entry into the nuclear club, despite the country's non-violent Gandhian origins and foreign policy roots in Nehruvian pacifism.
The formula did not see any contradiction between striving for socio-economic progress and considering large-scale military development for a developing nation like India.
Indeed, strategic deterrence, in which a small but effective indigenous nuclear arsenal would play a key part, was seen as vital to balancing things out in an unequal world carved up by Cold War geopolitics.
This ingenious and apparently paradoxical stand has been adversely commented upon, being dubbed 'moral exceptionalism' on non-proliferation by several commentators. Significantly, Subrahmanyam also argued that Pakistan too should look to develop a limited nuclear programme of its own – to establish its own deterrent against conflict.
This was met with great suspicion in Pakistani circles, and seen variously as an insult or a challenge. He also concluded in the 90's that India needed only 150-odd warheads to achieve minimum deterrence. And that this had been achieved by 1990, a point noted by many as a good reference to India's nuclear stockpile.
Education
K. Subrahmanyam received his education at some of the finest institutions in India. He was a strong advocate for education and intellectual pursuit, reflecting his belief that knowledge is the foundation of progress in any society. His educational background provided him with the critical skillset to navigate his roles in public service effectively.
In conclusion, K. Subrahmanyam's life and career shaped significant aspects of India’s strategic policy and defense framework. His contributions remain influential, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations of civil servants and strategic thinkers in India.
In November 2005, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appointed Subrahmanyam to head a special government task force to study 'Global Strategic Developments' over the next decade. The Task Force examined various aspects of global trends in strategic affairs and submitted its report to the Prime Minister in 2006.
The report has not yet been released in the public domain and is presumed to have been categorised a classified document.
