Sixty-eight-year old Kalam, who was conferred `Bharat Ratna' last year, was in the rank of a Secretary to the Government of India prior to his new assignment.

Described as the ``Father of India's indigenous missile programme', Kalam had contributed to a large extent for the development of Satellite Launch Vehicle III which injected the Rohini satellite into orbit.

In his new capacity, he will advise on overall scientific development in the country on issues relating to scientific and technical policy in different sectors, an official spokesman said.

Kalam will also advise on matters relating to achieving technological self-reliance and foreign collaboration, he said.

Born on October 15, 1931, Kalam, who has been heading Defence Research and Development Organisation, specialised in aeronauticalengineering from Madras Institute of Technology and joined DRDO in 1958.

He shifted to Indian Space Research Organisation in 1963 and worked for the SLV III programme. Kalam rejoined DRDO in 1982 which has been spearheading India's indigenous missile programme comprising `Agni' (ballistic), `Prithvi' (surface-to-surface), `Trishul' and `Akash' (surface-to-air) and `Nag' (anti-tank) missiles.

As director of Hyderabad-based Defence Research Laboratory, Kalam had conceived the integrated guided missile development programme.

`Mission full of challenge'
NEW DELHI: DR A P J Abdul Kalam, who was today appointed Principal Scientific Advisor to the government with cabinet rank, said he was delighted at the new assignment and it would be a new mission full of challenge. ``I always like challenges. The new partnership of multiple institutions will be the prime focus of the mission,'' Dr Kalam said.

Defence Minister George Fernandes while complimenting Dr Kalam on his new appointment, said ``it is arecognition of his talent, ability and fast expression.'' Dr Kalam's new assignment would be more challenging and the nation as a whole would benefit from his immense knowledge, experience and expertise, the Defence Minister said.