Pune: Eminent astrophysicist and science communicator Dr Jayant Vishnu Narlikar passed away on Tuesday early morning in Pune, family sources said. He was 87 and is survived by three daughters. Recently, he underwent hip surgery in a city-based hospital.
A towering figure of Indian science and a Padma awardee, Dr Narlikar was widely known for his pioneering contributions to cosmology, his efforts to popularise science and for setting up premier research institutions.
Born on July 19, 1938, Dr Narlikar completed his early education on the campus of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where his father, Vishnu Vasudeva Narlikar, was a professor and Head of the Mathematics Department, and he went to Cambridge for higher studies, becoming a Wrangler and Tyson Medallist in the Mathematical Tripos.
He returned to India to join the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (1972-1989), where, under his charge, the Theoretical Astrophysics Group expanded and acquired international standing. In 1988, the University Grants Commission invited Dr Narlikar to set up the proposed Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) as its Founder Director.
He held the directorship of IUCAA until his retirement in 2003. Under his direction, IUCAA has acquired a worldwide reputation as a centre for excellence in teaching and research 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 setting up a centre for excellence in science.
Besides his scientific research, Dr Narlikar was well-known as a science communicator through his books, articles, and radio/TV programmes. He is also known for his science fiction stories. For all these efforts, he was honoured by UNESCO in 1996 with the Kalinga Award for popular science works. Dr Narlikar was awarded Padmabhushan in 1965 at the young age of 26.
In 2004, he was awarded Padmavibhushan, and the Maharashtra government honoured him with the state's highest civilian award, Maharashtra Bhushan, in 2011. In 2014, the Sahitya Akademi, the premier literary body in India, selected his autobiography for its highest prize in regional language (Marathi) writing.
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…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the demise of Narlikar, calling it a monumental loss to the scientific community. In a post on X, Modi wrote, "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 (sic)." he added.
🌌
— Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) (@ONGC_) May 20, 2025
Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, Padma Bhushan (1938–2025)
The man who looked at the stars and rewrote the story of the cosmos.
Today, we bid farewell to a cosmic rebel. Not just a scientist, but a storyteller of the universe.
Prof. #JayantNarlikar did not just question the… pic.twitter.com/4o1ElNt5PB
ONGC paid a humble tribute to Narlikar on X. "Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, Padma Bhushan (1938–2025) The man who looked at the stars and rewrote the story of the cosmos. Today, we bid farewell to a cosmic rebel. Not just a scientist, but a storyteller of the universe. Prof. #JayantNarlikar did not just question the #BigBang, he offered the world a new lens to look at space and time with the Hoyle–Narlikar theory. He made #Einstein meet Indian #philosophy. He made science fiction before it was trending. He made the universe relatable in Marathi, Hindi, and English. Because to him, #science was never a gate—it was a bridge. From black holes to bold ideas, from textbooks to TV screens, he made the universe a feeling, not just a formula. He taught us: You don’t need a spaceship to reach the stars. Just wonder. And courage. A supernova has faded from our skies, but its light will echo across generations," it wrote on X.
ज्येष्ठ खगोल शास्त्रज्ञ आणि विज्ञान लेखक, महाराष्ट्र भूषण जयंत नारळीकर यांच्या निधनाचे वृत्त अतिशय दुःखद आहे.
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) May 20, 2025
वैज्ञानिक विषयात साहित्य निर्मिती करून विज्ञानाचा प्रसार करण्यात त्याची अत्यंत मोलाची भूमिका राहिली. त्यासाठी जागतिक पातळीवर त्यांना पुरस्कारांनी गौरवण्यात आले. खगोल… pic.twitter.com/1Tws7nMaVR
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed condolences on the passing away of Narlikar. "The news of the passing of senior astrophysicist and science writer, Maharashtra Bhushan Jayant Narlikar, is deeply saddening. His invaluable contribution was in spreading science by creating literature on scientific subjects. For this, he was honoured with awards at the global level. He conducted research in the field of astrophysics for many decades," he shared on X.
He explained a complex subject like astronomy in very simple words to the general reader. Alongside newspaper articles, he created a vast body of literary works. His writings in Marathi were a great treasure for Maharashtrian readers and the curious. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awards. He also worked with many international institutions. We have lost a great scientist and an equally great writer. I offer my heartfelt tribute to him. The state government has decided to perform his last rites with state honours. We all share in the grief of his family. Om Shanti," he wrote.
जगद्विख्यात खगोलशास्त्रज्ञ, माणूस, सृष्टी आणि विज्ञान यांच्यातील नात्याचा संवेदनशील धागा आणि संवेदनशील साहित्यिक-लेखक पद्मविभूषण डॉ.जयंत नारळीकर यांच्या निधनाने महाराष्ट्रातील कर्तृत्वसंपन्न पिढीतील एक मौल्यवान मोहरा हरपला आहे. आपल्या अनोख्या आणि सोप्या संवादशैलीतील लेखनातून… pic.twitter.com/7g8dFsUszq
— Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) May 20, 2025
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed grief over the demise. "The world-renowned astronomer, a sensitive thread connecting humanity, creation, and science, and a sensitive literary writer, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Jayant Narlikar, has passed away, leaving Maharashtra’s accomplished generation bereft of a priceless gem. Through his unique and simple communication style, Dr. Narlikar, who brought scientific knowledge to the common person, was an important exemplar of Maharashtra’s knowledge-science tradition. Driven. Driven by an unrelenting passion not only to explore the cosmos but also to share that knowledge with everyone, Dr. Narlikar dedicated his entire life to research," he wrote on X.
"As a self-evident guide in science and technology, his role in enriching Maharashtra’s educational landscape has greatly enriched the state. Through the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics he established in Pune, Maharashtra, has carved a niche for itself in the field of science. His contributions, dissemination of knowledge, and dedicated research spirit will forever remain an ideal for future generations. A humble tribute to the memory of Dr. Narlikar," he added.
जागतिक किर्तीचे ज्येष्ठ खगोलशास्त्रज्ञ डॉ. जयंत नारळीकर यांनी ज्ञान-विज्ञानाच्या क्षेत्रात देशाला नव्या उंचीवर नेलं. विज्ञानाची सूत्रे, विज्ञानवादी विचार, वैज्ञानिक दृष्टीकोन नव्या पिढीमध्ये रुजवण्यासाठी जीवनभर कार्य केलं. विज्ञानाची रहस्ये सहज-सोप्या भाषेत मुलांना समजावून… pic.twitter.com/3smdi09n8n
— Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) May 20, 2025
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also expressed his condolences. "Renowned astronomer Dr. Jayant Narlikar, of global fame, elevated the nation to new heights in the field of knowledge and science. He dedicated his life to instilling scientific principles, rational thinking, and a scientific perspective in the new generation. He explained the mysteries of science to children in simple and accessible language. With his passing, a radiant star in the nation’s scientific firmament, devoted to the dissemination of knowledge and science, has fallen. I offer my heartfelt tribute to him. Dr. Jayant Narlikar was a globally renowned scientist and a dynamic thinker who worked to embed rational thought in society," he wrote on X.
"The ‘IUCAA’ institution he established for the dissemination of physics and astronomy has become a treasure of the nation’s intellectual wealth. His research on the origin and evolving nature of the macrocosmos earned him a respected place among global scientists. His work on the ‘Quasi-Steady State Theory’ stands as a milestone. The scientific perspective he presented and his critique of superstitions during his presidential address at the All India Marathi Literary Conference will always be remembered. Honored with prestigious awards like ‘Maharashtra Bhushan,’ ‘Padma Bhushan,’ and ‘Padma Vibhushan,’ Dr. Jayant Narlikar’s passing is an irreparable loss to the nation. Continuing his mission of spreading science and fostering a scientific mindset in society, especially among future generations, will be the truest tribute to him," he posted.
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