India’s space visionary Dr. K Kasturirangan passes away

Dr. K. Kasturirangan, former ISRO chairman and a key architect behind India’s New Education Policy (NEP), passed away in Bengaluru on Friday.

While Dr. Kasturirangan built an illustrious career in India’s space programme, his most enduring legacy in recent years lies in the field of education. He chaired the committee that drafted the National Education Policy 2020, a landmark reform designed to make India’s education system more holistic, flexible, and multidisciplinary.

As the chief architect of the NEP, Dr. Kasturirangan championed initiatives that emphasized early childhood education, flexible curricula, critical thinking, vocational training, and the promotion of regional languages. His vision steered Indian education towards global standards while remaining firmly rooted in the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Beyond his pivotal role in shaping the NEP, he also served as the Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and chaired the Karnataka Knowledge Commission, where he worked tirelessly to enhance higher education and research excellence.

A distinguished astrophysicist, Dr. Kasturirangan made significant contributions to high-energy X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy, as well as optical astronomy. Over his career, he authored more than 200 research papers in prestigious national and international journals and edited six books, enriching the scientific community's understanding of space science and its applications.

Dr. Kasturirangan also served as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha (2003–2009) and was a member of India’s Planning Commission, influencing key national policies.

In recognition of his remarkable contributions to science, education, and public service, he was honored with several of India’s highest civilian awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.