Scientific Adviser to the Minister of Defense (instead of “Founder of DRDO”)

On 12 July 1948 he took charge as the first ScientificAdviser to the Minister of Defense. The scale of payfor the post was fixed at Rs 2000-100-2500 (at par withthepayscaleoftheDirectorsoftheNationalLaboratories). But Professor Kothari would agree totake only Rs 1250/- as salary, which was the amount hewas getting as a Professor. He also continued to residein the university campus and never missed his teachingclasses in the university. He rejoined Delhi Universityon 12 July 1952, but was specially requested by theDefense Ministry to continue as Honorary ScientificAdviser,apostthatheheldtillMarch1961.AsHonorary Scientific Adviser, he was drawing just a token pay of one Rupeea month (because it if he were to exercisethe enormous financial powers vested in the Scientific Adviser, he hadto getsomesalaryfromthegovernment).