Former ISRO Chief K Kasturirangan passes away at 84

Bengaluru

Eminent space scientist and former ISRO chairman Dr. K Kasturirangan passed away at his residence in Bengaluru on Friday. He was 84 and had been ailing due to age-related issues for the past few months. He is survived by his two sons.

"He left for heavenly abode this morning at his residence in Bengaluru. His body will be kept at Raman Research Institute (RRI) for paying last respects on April 27," officials confirmed.

Dr. Kasturirangan made significant contributions to India's space and education sectors. He led the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for nine years, stepping down in August 2003. The Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats submitted in 2013 proposed to identify 37 per cent of the Western Ghats as environmentally sensitive. The Kasturirangan Committee, which drafted the NEP 2020 had proposed several key changes to the education system, with focus on access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability.

Apart from ISRO, he served as chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission, a Rajya Sabha member (2003–09), and a member of the Planning Commission. From 2004 to 2009, he was the Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

Born on October 24, 1940, in Ernakulam, Kerala, to C M Krishnaswamy Iyer and Visalakshi, Dr. Kasturirangan came from a family rooted in Tamil Nadu, later settled in Thrissur district.

For his remarkable work in space science, he was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 2000. His contributions have left a lasting impact on India’s scientific and academic communities.