Patna: Former ISRO Chairman and architect of India’s new National Education Policy (NEP), Dr. K Kasturirangan, passed away on Friday morning at his residence in Bengaluru. He was 84. Officials confirmed that the veteran scientist “left for his heavenly abode” peacefully at home.
Dr. Kasturirangan was a towering figure in India’s scientific and academic circles. He served as the chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 1994 to 2003, overseeing landmark missions including the operationalization of the PSLV and GSLV launch vehicles. His leadership helped propel India’s space ambitions to new heights.
In later years, he chaired the committee responsible for drafting the NEP 2020, aimed at transforming the Indian education system with a focus on holistic, multidisciplinary learning.
Condolences poured in from across the country, with leaders, scientists, and educators remembering him as a visionary who left an indelible mark on both space science and education in India. He is survived by his family.
