Famous astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar passes away at 87

Astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar.
| Photograph Credit score: The Hindu

Eminent astrophysicist, science communicator, and Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr Jayant Vishnu Narlikar handed away in Pune on Tuesday (Could 20, 2025), household sources stated. He was 87.

A towering determine in Indian science, Dr Narlikar was extensively recognized for his pioneering contributions to cosmology, his efforts to popularise science, and for organising premier analysis establishments within the nation.

In keeping with household sources, Dr Narlikar died in his sleep early Tuesday (Could 20, 2025) morning.

He had lately undergone hip surgical procedure in a city-based hospital. He’s survived by three daughters.

Born on July 19, 1938, Dr Narlikar accomplished his early schooling on the campus of Banaras Hindu College (BHU), the place his father, Vishnu Vasudeva Narlikar, was a professor and Head of the Arithmetic Division, and he went to Cambridge for greater research, changing into a Wrangler and Tyson Medallist within the Mathematical Tripos.

He returned to India to affix the Tata Institute of Basic Analysis (1972-1989), the place, beneath his cost, the Theoretical Astrophysics Group expanded and purchased worldwide standing.

In 1988, the College Grants Fee invited Dr Narlikar to arrange the proposed Inter-College Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) as its Founder Director.

He held the directorship of IUCAA till his retirement in 2003. Underneath his course, IUCAA has acquired a worldwide popularity as a centre for excellence in educating and analysis in astronomy and astrophysics. He was an Emeritus Professor at IUCAA.

In 2012, the Third World Academy of Sciences awarded Dr Narlikar their prize for organising a centre for excellence in science.

Apart from his scientific analysis, Dr Narlikar was well-known as a science communicator by his books, articles, and radio/TV programmes.

He’s additionally recognized for his science fiction tales.

For all these efforts, he was honoured by UNESCO in 1996 with the Kalinga Award for standard science works.

Dr Narlikar was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1965 on the younger age of 26.

In 2004, he was awarded Padma Vibhushan, and the Maharashtra authorities honoured him with the state’s highest civilian award, Maharashtra Bhushan, in 2011.

In 2014, the Sahitya Akademi, the premiere literary physique in India, chosen his autobiography for its highest prize in regional language (Marathi) writing.