PK Menon obtained his DSc (1948) from University of Madras in mathematics. He served as the Director, Joint Cipher Bureau (1958-77), Ministry of Defence, New Delhi; Honorary Professor, Indian Statistical Institute, New Delhi.

Academic and Research Achievements: A mathematician of international repute, Menon did commendable work on: (i) multiplicative functions in number theory as well as other number theoretic problems with a bearing on special functions such as theta and zeta functions and problems in modern algebra with number theoretic bias: (ii) theory of finite groups with application of combinatorial problems and number theory; and (iii) problems in set theory relating to certain special measurable sets. His work on ciphers for the Defence Department of India is recorded in the archives.

Other Contributions: Menon served on the Advisory Committee for Mathematics of Atomic energy Commission and served on the editorial boards of: Mathematics Student and Journal of Indian Mathematical Society. He was the First editor of Cryoscript.

Awards and Honours: Menon was a Fellow, National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad and Member, Indian Mathematical Society (Council Member). The University of Calicut has instituted Dr P Kesava Menon Memorial Lecture at its Department of Mathematics.