Jayant Narlikar Indian Astrophysicist Dies at 87

Jayant Narlikar Indian Astrophysicist Dies At 87

Alright, space fans, here’s some real news from the stars. Jayant Narlikar, one of India’s most brilliant astrophysicists, has died at 87. No cosmic mystery here — he peacefully passed away in Pune after a brief illness, according to NDTV.

Narlikar was no ordinary scientist. He co-created the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity, which tried to remix Einstein’s ideas by factoring in the whole universe’s influence on inertia. It didn’t topple the Big Bang like a cosmic rebel, but it sparked some solid scientific chatter.

He wasn’t just about equations and blackboards either. He founded the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Pune, turning it into a powerhouse for space research in India. Plus, he ran the Theoretical Astrophysics Group at TIFR for years — that’s some serious brainpower leadership.

And get this — he wrote science books and even science fiction in multiple languages. Talk about a man who wanted everyone to get star-struck by science. The guy also helped craft school textbooks, so kids could get their cosmic dose early on.

The man’s awards shelf was impressive, too. Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Akademi — the full deal. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called his passing a “monumental loss.” We’d say that’s putting it mildly.

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

Jayant Narlikar’s legacy? A blend of brainy brilliance and genuine passion for bringing the universe closer to us all. He showed that looking up can lead to big ideas and bigger dreams.