: Mumbai, May 20, 2025

Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, an internationally renowned Indian astrophysicist, a visionary, and a passionate science communicator passed away at his residence in Pune today (May 20, 2025), at the age of 86 years.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today condoled the passing of Dr. Jayant Narlikar, a luminary in the field of astrophysics.

The Prime Minister wrote in a post on X:

“The passing of Dr. Jayant Narlikar is a monumental loss to the scientific community. He was a luminary, especially in the field of astrophysics. His pioneering works, especially key theoretical frameworks will be valued by generations of researchers. He made a mark as an institution builder, grooming centres of learning and innovation for young minds. His writings have also gone a long way in making science accessible to common citizens. Condolences to his family and friends in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.”

Over the course of a remarkable career, Dr. Narlikar made groundbreaking contributions to cosmology, challenged prevailing scientific orthodoxy, and dedicated himself to making science accessible to the broader public. Dr. Narlikar is best known for co-developing the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity—an alternative to Einstein’s general relativity—and for championing the steady-state theory of the universe, a bold counterpoint to the widely accepted Big Bang model.

Born on July 19, 1938, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Dr. Narlikar hailed from a family steeped in academia. Dr. Narlikar pursued his early education in Varanasi before moving to the University of Cambridge, where he completed his Ph.D. under the mentorship of Sir Fred Hoyle.

In 1988, he founded the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, served as its first director and shaped it into a premier institution for research and training in astronomy. His vision for the institute, dubbed the “Eightfold Way”, emphasized not only excellence in astronomy research but also outreach to University faculty, guidance to PhD students, and access to latest observational facilities for Indian astronomers as well as science outreach and education for school children and the wider public.

Beyond his scientific endeavours, Dr. Narlikar was a prolific writer and communicator. He authored numerous books and articles in English, Hindi, and Marathi, aiming to make science accessible to the general public. His works ranged from advanced scientific treatises to science fiction, reflecting his commitment to fostering scientific temper across society.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Narlikar received numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan in 1965 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2004, India's third and second-highest civilian honors, respectively . He was also honored with the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the popularization of science in 1996 and the Prix Jules Janssen from the French Astronomical Society in 2004.

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SC/PM

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