Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, a distinguished Indian astrophysicist, science communicator, and Padma Vibhushan awardee, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 20, 2025, in Pune at the age of 87. Born on July 19, 1938, Narlikar's death marks the end of an era for Indian science and literature. He had recently undergone hip surgery but was not suffering from any prolonged illness, though his health had declined with age. He is survived by his three daughters, all of whom are involved in scientific research.
Narlikar was renowned for his significant contributions to cosmology, particularly his work with Sir Fred Hoyle on the conformal gravity theory, also known as the Hoyle-Narlikar theory, which synthesized Einstein's theory of relativity and Mach's principle. He was also known for proposing alternatives to the Big Bang theory. His academic journey included degrees from Banaras Hindu University and Cambridge University, where he was a Senior Wrangler and Tyson Medallist. He held positions at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and served as the Founder Director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) from 1988 to 2003, transforming it into a globally recognized center for astrophysics education and research.
Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Narlikar was a dedicated science communicator, authoring numerous popular science books, articles, and appearing on radio and television to explain complex scientific concepts in an accessible manner. He was also known for his science fiction writing, which inspired many, especially young readers. His contributions to popularizing science were recognized internationally, including the Kalinga Prize from UNESCO in 1996.
Dr. Narlikar received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Padma Bhushan (1965), Padma Vibhushan (2004), and the Maharashtra Bhushan (2011). In 2014, his Marathi-language autobiography received the Sahitya Akademi Award. He is remembered not only as a scientist of global repute but also as a passionate educator who brought the wonders of space closer to the common person. His wife, mathematician Mangala Narlikar, passed away in 2023.
Narlikar was renowned for his significant contributions to cosmology, particularly his work with Sir Fred Hoyle on the conformal gravity theory, also known as the Hoyle-Narlikar theory, which synthesized Einstein's theory of relativity and Mach's principle. He was also known for proposing alternatives to the Big Bang theory. His academic journey included degrees from Banaras Hindu University and Cambridge University, where he was a Senior Wrangler and Tyson Medallist. He held positions at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and served as the Founder Director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) from 1988 to 2003, transforming it into a globally recognized center for astrophysics education and research.
Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Narlikar was a dedicated science communicator, authoring numerous popular science books, articles, and appearing on radio and television to explain complex scientific concepts in an accessible manner. He was also known for his science fiction writing, which inspired many, especially young readers. His contributions to popularizing science were recognized internationally, including the Kalinga Prize from UNESCO in 1996.
Dr. Narlikar received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Padma Bhushan (1965), Padma Vibhushan (2004), and the Maharashtra Bhushan (2011). In 2014, his Marathi-language autobiography received the Sahitya Akademi Award. He is remembered not only as a scientist of global repute but also as a passionate educator who brought the wonders of space closer to the common person. His wife, mathematician Mangala Narlikar, passed away in 2023.