Jayant Narlikar passes away at 87, who was the celebrated astrophysicist, Padma Vibhushan awardee?

Time of India

20-05-2025

Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, the celebrated
astrophysicist
, science communicator, and founding director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (
IUCAA
), passed away in his sleep in Pune on Tuesday. He was 87.
Narlikar, who had recently undergone hip surgery, leaves behind a towering legacy in Indian science, education, and public outreach. He is survived by his three daughters — Geeta, Girija, and Leelavati — all of whom are engaged in scientific research.
Dr. Narlikar was globally respected for his contributions to
cosmology
, particularly for proposing alternatives to the Big Bang theory. In
India
, he played a foundational role in creating world-class institutions for research in astronomy and astrophysics.
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A scholar of rare distinction
Born on July 19, 1938, in Kolhapur, Narlikar was raised in an intellectually vibrant environment. His father, Vishnu Vasudeva Narlikar, was a noted mathematician and head of the Mathematics Department at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where Jayant completed his early education.
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He later went on to Cambridge University for higher studies, becoming a Wrangler and earning the Tyson Medal in the Mathematical Tripos — a mark of top academic distinction.
Upon returning to India, he joined the
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
(TIFR), serving there from 1972 to 1989. It was during this time that he laid the groundwork for what would become one of India's foremost astronomy institutions — the IUCAA in Pune, established in 1988 under his leadership. Narlikar remained its director until his retirement in 2003 and continued as Emeritus Professor thereafter. His vision turned IUCAA into a globally respected hub for astrophysics education and research.
For his pioneering efforts, he received multiple national and international honours — including the
Padma Bhushan
in 1965 at just 26 years old, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2004. In 2011, the Maharashtra government awarded him the Maharashtra Bhushan, its highest civilian honour.
Popularising science beyond academia
Dr. Narlikar was not just a scientist but also a passionate science communicator. He authored numerous popular science books and articles, and appeared frequently on radio and television to explain complex scientific ideas in simple terms. In 1996, UNESCO honoured him with the
Kalinga Prize
for the popularisation of science.
His work in science fiction, particularly for young readers, further cemented his role as a public intellectual and mentor.
In 2014, his Marathi-language autobiography earned the Sahitya Akademi award, reflecting his ability to reach and inspire audiences beyond the lab and lecture hall. He has also been awarded the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Maharashtra Bhushan, and several others.
His wife, Mangala Narlikar — a mathematician in her own right — passed away in 2023. Together, they were a rare academic couple who fostered a legacy of intellectual excellence.