Astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar, founding director of IUCAA, passes away in Pune
Astrophysicist Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, founding director of IUCAA Pune and co-developer of the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity, passed away in his sleep at his Pune residence on 20 May 2025, aged 86.
Summary
Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, one of India's best-known astrophysicists, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his residence in Pune on 20 May 2025. Born on 19 July 1938 in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, he was 86. With his Cambridge PhD guide Fred Hoyle he co-developed the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity and championed the steady-state and later quasi-steady-state models of the universe, alternatives to the Big Bang model. After working at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (1972–1989), he was invited by the University Grants Commission in 1988 to set up the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune, as its founding director, and led it until 2003. A noted science communicator and science-fiction writer, he received UNESCO's Kalinga Prize (1996), the Padma Bhushan (1965) and the Padma Vibhushan (2004). Prime Minister Narendra Modi called his passing a monumental loss to the scientific community.
Key facts
- Died
- 20 May 2025, at his residence in Pune (Maharashtra)
- Born
- 19 July 1938, Kolhapur
- Known for
- Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity (with Fred Hoyle); quasi-steady-state cosmology
- Institution
- Founding director, IUCAA Pune (1988–2003)
- Honours
- Padma Bhushan 1965; Padma Vibhushan 2004; UNESCO Kalinga Prize 1996
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar, who passed away on 20 May 2025, was the founding director of which institution?
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Correct answer: D — Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics
In 1988 the UGC invited Narlikar to set up IUCAA, Pune, as its founding director; he led it until 2003. He had earlier worked at TIFR (1972–1989) and studied at BHU.
Consider the following statements about Jayant Narlikar (1938–2025): 1. With Fred Hoyle, he co-developed the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity. 2. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2004. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. He co-developed the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity with his Cambridge guide Fred Hoyle, and received the Padma Vibhushan in 2004 (Padma Bhushan in 1965).