Prahlada is an Indian missile scientist, former vice chancellor of Defence Institute of Advanced Technology and a former director of Defence Research and Development Laboratory, the largest of the Defence Research and Development Organization laboratories in India, known for his contributions to Indian space programme. He was honoured by the Government of India in 2015 with Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award. He was bron on 5 February 1947 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Dr Prahlada is a Mechanical Engineer from University College of Engineering, Bengaluru. He got his Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, with specialisation in Rockets and Missile Systems and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad. Since 1971, he has served in various ISRO and DRDO establishments covering Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram; Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru; Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, and DRDO HQrs in Delhi. He is the member/fellow of various professional organisations like IISc Alumni Association; Management Association; Institute of Engineering; and other Aeronautical, Aerodynamics, and Electronic Institutions situated in various cities of India.