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.
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- 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. |
Key Facts to Remember: Renowned Physicist Dr. Jayant Narlikar Passes Away
- 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.
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 — Renowned Physicist Dr. Jayant Narlikar Passes Away
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.
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