Renowned Physicist Dr. Jayant Narlikar Passes Away
Dr. Jayant Narlikar, the legendary Indian astrophysicist and proponent of the Steady State theory, passed away at the age of 87.
Key Points for Quick Revision
- Dr. Jayant Narlikar passed away on May 6, 2026, at age 87.
- He was the founding director of IUCAA, Pune.
- He co-developed the Hoyle-Narlikar theory of gravity.
- He was a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 4–8 | Basic science, space missions, ISRO launches, and defence technology are standard SSC GK topics. |
| UPSC / State PCS | Medium | 5–8 | UPSC tests Science & Technology through governance: space policy, biotech regulations, cyber security. |
| Railway (RRB NTPC / Group D) | Very High | 6–10 | Science and Technology is one of the largest GK sections in Railway papers. |
| State PCS / PSC | Medium | 3–5 | Space missions, defence acquisitions, and health research appear regularly. |
What to Memorize from This Topic
- ISRO missions: satellite name, purpose, launch date, orbit type
- Defence acquisitions: system name, origin country, inducted into which force
- COVID/health research: vaccine names, institutes involved, approval status
- Technology achievements: first-ever milestones, world records, India-specific achievements
- Scientific organizations: HQ, head, purpose (CSIR, DRDO, BARC, ICAR)
Practice Questions
Q1. Dr. Jayant Narlikar was the founding director of which institution?
- ISRO
- IUCAA
- TIFR
- DRDO
Explanation: Dr. Jayant Narlikar was the founding director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune.
Q2. Which theory of the universe did Dr. Jayant Narlikar famously advocate?
- Big Bang Theory
- Steady State Theory
- String Theory
- Multiverse Theory
Explanation: Dr. Narlikar was a prominent proponent of the Steady State theory, which suggests the universe has no beginning or end.
How to Prepare Science & Technology for Government Exams
For Railway exams, make flashcards for every major ISRO launch — name, payload, purpose, date. These repeat frequently.
For SSC, focus on defence acquisitions and their strategic significance rather than technical specs.
For UPSC, connect every scientific development to policy — climate targets, digital India, health policy.