Obituary of Dr. K. C. Pillai

Dr. K. C. Pillai, an expert Radio Chemist, Environmental Radiological Scientist and Former Head, Health Physics Division died peacefully on December 12, 2025 in Mumbai. Dr. K. C. Pillai was born in Kerala state and did his graduation from Maharajas College, Cochin, and completed his postgraduation and Ph.D from Mumbai University. Dr. Pillai is survived by his wife Santha, son Sreekumar, and daughter Sreelatha. Dr. K. C. Pillai joined BARC, then AEET, in 1957 and worked with the stalwarts of the atomic energy program in the old military barrack sheds at Colaba, presently the TIFR building compound. He was part of the team to initiate Environmental Surveillance at Trombay and experiments on tidal movements in the landlocked Mumbai Harbour Bay and Thana Creek to assess the impact of possible radioactivity releases. Na-24 tracer prepared in the 1 MW Apsara reactor was used in the experiments, which resulted in the evaluation of permissible discharge limits to the marine environment. He went on to set the protocols for the establishment of Environmental Survey Laboratories and pre-operational studies at every nuclear facility in the country. He was an expert radiochemist with specialization for estimation of ultra-trace quantities of plutonium in environmental matrices. His immense contributions to the departmental programs will always be remembered. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray to the Almighty to provide them sufficient strength to bear this irreparable loss.