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Eminent Astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar Passes Away at 87

Dr. Narlikar, a pioneer in cosmology and science communication, was known for his alternative theories to the Big Bang and for founding IUCAA, a leading astronomy research institute in India.

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File photo of Jayant Vishnu Narlikar | Commons
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Overview

  • Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar died peacefully in his sleep on May 20, 2025, in Pune, following recent hip surgery.
  • He co-developed the Hoyle–Narlikar theory, an alternative to the Big Bang model, and championed the steady-state cosmological perspective.
  • Narlikar was instrumental in establishing the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in 1988, serving as its first director until 2003.
  • A renowned science communicator, he authored books, essays, and science fiction to make complex scientific ideas accessible to the public.
  • His last rites will be conducted with full state honors, as announced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.