Archive · 16 Nov 2025
Col H S Shankar: From College Backbencher to EVM and Drone Pioneer
Imagine a man who was a bit of a prankster in college, always sitting at the back of the class.
One day, he decided to join the army, not really expecting much, but he ended up fighting in real wars!
After his time in the army, he used his smart engineering brain to help create machines that count votes, called EVMs, so elections could be fairer.
He even worked on making weapons like drones for the country.
Later, he started his own company that makes important defense equipment.
Now, he's 82 years old and still working, a true hero who served his country in many amazing ways.
Col. H S Shankar, an 82-year-old, transitioned from being a college backbencher to a decorated military officer and a pioneer in defense technology.
He fought in key Indian conflicts, including the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars and the 1969 Indo-China border conflict, earning the Vishisht Seva Medal.
Shankar was instrumental in the development and successful manufacturing of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), aiming to improve electoral fairness.
After retiring from military service, he co-founded Alpha Design Technologies, a private firm that produces advanced defense systems, including armed drones.
His company, Alpha Design Technologies, has grown significantly, competing with established defense companies and contributing to India's defense manufacturing capabilities.
- Who
- Col. H S Shankar, an 82-year-old retired Indian Army officer and engineer.
- What
- A narrative detailing his journey from a college backbencher to a decorated soldier, an innovator in defense technology, and a key figure in the development and manufacturing of India's Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and armed drones.
- When
- His career spans from the early 1960s to the present, with significant contributions in the 1960s and 1970s, the development of EVMs in the 1980s and 1990s, and establishing a defense firm post-2003.
- Where
- Bengaluru, India, and various battlefronts during his military service.
- Why
- Motivated by national service, a desire to innovate, and to address technological gaps in India's defense sector.
Supporters of EVMs
Skeptics of EVMs
Rigging Concerns
Supporters of EVMs
Col. Shankar vehemently denies the possibility of rigging, stating the EVMs are designed to be foolproof and challenging anyone to prove otherwise. He highlights that the software was modified to limit votes per minute to prevent rigging.
Skeptics of EVMs
Concerns persist among some about the credibility and tamper-proof nature of EVMs, particularly in the context of elections in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and other areas where armed men could potentially influence outcomes.
- Full Name
- H S Shankar
- Date of Birth
- March 8, 1943
- Education
- BE in Electrical Engineering, Master's degree from Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
- Military Service
- Fought in Indo-Pak wars (1965, 1971) and Indo-China conflict (1969); awarded Vishisht Seva Medal
- Key Contributions
- Helped develop Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), upgraded Tigercat missile system, led manufacturing of 150,000 EVMs
- Post-Retirement Venture
- Co-founded Alpha Design Technologies Private Limited, a defense manufacturing firm
- Current Role
- Chief Managing Director of Alpha Design Technologies