Former ISRO Chief K Kasturirangan Dies (image:x.com/b_mattimadu)
Bengaluru, Karnataka: Former ISRO Chief Dr K. Kasturirangan died in Bengaluru on Friday, April 25. He was 84. As per the reports, he had been unwell for a while.
“Dr. K. Kasturirangan has left for heavenly abode this morning at 10. 43 am at his residence in Bengaluru. His body will be kept at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru for paying last respects on Sunday April 27th from 1000- 1200 hrs,” the statement from ISRO read.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolence over the death of Kasturirangan. Taking to X, he wrote: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. K. Kasturirangan, a towering figure in India’s scientific and educational journey. His visionary leadership and selfless contribution to the nation will always be remembered.” He also acknowledged his contributions in ISRO as well as in the drafting of National Education Policy (NEP).
India will always be grateful to Dr. Kasturirangan for his efforts during the drafting of the National Education Policy (NEP) and in ensuring that learning in India became more holistic and forward-looking. He was also an outstanding mentor to many young scientists and…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 25, 2025
Dr. Kasturirangan helmed the ISRO between 1994-2003, and also served as the Secretary, Department of Space for a period of over nine years. During his career with ISRO, the space agency has achieved many key milestones especially in its towards self-reliance, and partaking big missions.
It was under his leadership Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was launched and operationalised and flight testing of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) took place successfully.
Kasturirangan served as the project director of India’s first two experimental earth observation satellites BHASKARA-I & II. He navigated the first operational Indian Remote Sensing satellite IRS-1A.
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Later, he became a member of the Rajya Sabha, and served as a member of the Planning Commission during the UPA government. He was the author of the Kasturirangan Committee report on Western Ghats, with recommendations identifying ecologically sensitive zones in the landscape. He was served as the Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bangalore from April 2004 to 2009.
Recently, Kasturirangan has also chaired the drafting committee for the National Education Policy 2020.
