Varanasi: The Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, has posthumously conferred the prestigious Vigyan Ratna on Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, one of India’s most distinguished astrophysicists and an illustrious alumnus of Banaras Hindu University (BHU). The honour recognises his exceptional and lifelong contributions to the field of science, particularly in cosmology and astrophysics.
President Droupadi Murmu confers Vigyan Ratna to Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar (Posthumously). He was a renowned Indian astrophysicist and cosmologist known for his ground-breaking work in cosmology and developed the Hoyle–Narlikar theory to unify gravitation and matter creation,… pic.twitter.com/wOkVFG33jH
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 23, 2025
Prof. Narlikar was internationally acclaimed for his groundbreaking work in theoretical cosmology. He is best known for developing the Hoyle–Narlikar theory, which attempted to unify gravitation with matter creation and offered an alternative framework to explain a steady-state universe. His research significantly influenced global scientific thought and expanded understanding of the universe.
Apart from his academic contributions, Prof. Narlikar played a transformative role in strengthening scientific research infrastructure in India. As the Founder Director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune, he was instrumental in building the institution into a world-class centre for advanced research, education and collaboration in astronomy and astrophysics. Under his leadership, IUCAA emerged as a hub for nurturing young scientific talent and promoting international-level research.
Banaras Hindu University has expressed immense pride in the posthumous recognition of one of its most eminent alumni. The BHU fraternity has remembered Prof. Narlikar for his extraordinary achievements, intellectual brilliance and unwavering commitment to scientific excellence. His work continues to inspire generations of students, researchers and scholars across the country.
The conferment of the Vigyan Ratna stands as a fitting tribute to Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar’s enduring legacy. His life and contributions remain a guiding light in the pursuit of scientific inquiry, innovation and excellence in India and beyond.