Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep condolences on the passing of Dr. Jayant Narlikar, one of India’s most distinguished astrophysicists.
In a heartfelt post on X, the Prime Minister 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.”
Dr. Narlikar passed away on Tuesday at the age of 86. According to close associates, he had undergone surgery for a hip fracture a fortnight ago and was recuperating at home.
A legendary figure in the field of theoretical astrophysics, Dr. Narlikar was best known for proposing an alternative to the Big Bang theory—the steady state model—alongside Sir Fred Hoyle. His contributions brought international recognition to Indian science.
He played a key role in the establishment of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, where he mentored generations of young scientists and helped shape India’s modern astrophysics landscape.
An alumnus of Banaras Hindu University and Cambridge University, Dr. Narlikar also worked with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). Beyond his academic achievements, he gained prominence as a science communicator, striving to make complex scientific ideas accessible to the general public through books and lectures in English and regional languages.
