India Mourns Dr. K. Kasturirangan: Architect of NEP 2020, NCF, and Space Reforms Passes Away

Former Chairman of ISRO, a recipient of the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan—India’s highest civilian honors—along with honorary doctorates from 27 universities, Dr. Kasturirangan’s legacy extends far beyond his scientific achievements.

India is grieving the loss of Padma Vibhushan Dr. K. Kasturirangan, an eminent space scientist, academic, and policy visionary, who passed away recently. His passing has left a void in the scientific, educational, and policy-making communities, with tributes pouring in from across the nation.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared a heartfelt tribute on X, reflecting on the profound personal and national impact of Dr. Kasturirangan’s contributions.

Dr. Kasturirangan, born on October 24, 1940, in Ernakulam, was a towering figure in India’s space and education sectors. He served as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 1994 to 2003, steering the organization through a transformative phase with missions that solidified India’s position in global space research. A recipient of the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan—India’s highest civilian honors—along with honorary doctorates from 27 universities, Dr. Kasturirangan’s legacy extends far beyond his scientific achievements.

His contributions to India’s education system are particularly noteworthy. Dr. Kasturirangan chaired several high-level government panels that shaped the country’s educational and scientific policies. In 2017, he was appointed to lead a nine-member committee to draft the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, superseding the earlier T.S.R. Subramanian committee.

The Kasturirangan-led panel submitted the draft NEP in 2019 to then-Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’. The policy, approved in 2020, introduced groundbreaking reforms, including the 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, emphasizing early childhood education, vocational training, and multidisciplinary learning. The panel recommended reducing the curriculum load to focus on critical thinking, introducing mother tongue or regional languages as the medium of instruction up to at least Grade 5, and establishing a National Education Commission to oversee the implementation of the policy. These suggestions aimed to create a more inclusive, flexible, and holistic education system for India’s diverse population.

In 2021, Dr. Kasturirangan was appointed to head a 12-member steering committee tasked with developing the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), a follow-up to the NEP 2020. This committee, with a three-year tenure, was responsible for revising school textbooks and creating four frameworks for school education, teacher education, early childhood education, and adult education. The panel’s recommendations included integrating the implications of crises like the COVID-19 pandemic into the curriculum, ensuring education systems are resilient to future disruptions. They also emphasized the need for experiential learning, the inclusion of socio-emotional learning, and the development of teachers as a professional cadre akin to engineers, blending science, engineering, social sciences, and humanities into the educational framework. The committee’s work aimed to align India’s education system with global standards while addressing local needs.

Beyond education, Dr. Kasturirangan was a member of the Rajya Sabha (2003–2009) and the now-defunct Planning Commission of India, where he contributed to shaping national development strategies. He also served as the Chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission, where he advocated for leveraging technology and innovation to enhance educational access and quality in the state. His suggestions included establishing knowledge hubs, promoting digital literacy, and fostering public-private partnerships to drive educational innovation.

During his tenure at ISRO, Dr. Kasturirangan initiated India’s most ambitious space-based high-energy astronomy observatory, a milestone in space research. His work as an astrophysicist focused on high-energy X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy, contributing significantly to the understanding of cosmic X-ray and gamma-ray sources and their effects on the lower atmosphere.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who worked closely with Dr. Kasturirangan on education reforms, shared a deeply personal tribute on X. Here is the full text of the minister’s tribute: “I am deeply heartbroken by the passing of Padma Vibhushan Dr. K. Kasturirangan ji. His loss is not only a profound one for the global scientific and academic community, but an intensely personal one for me. To me, he was far more than a mentor — he was a guiding light, a wellspring of wisdom, compassion, and quiet strength. I consider myself truly fortunate to have received his affection, blessings, and guidance over the years. Dr. Kasturirangan ji was an intellectual titan and a true karmayogi — a visionary whose contributions shaped the very architecture of modern India’s scientific, educational, and policy landscape. He was not merely a brilliant scientist or a celebrated policy architect; he was a nation-builder in every sense of the word. His pivotal role in crafting the National Education Policy 2020 stands as a lasting testament to his far-sightedness, a transformative gift for generations yet to come. My deepest condolences to his family, his colleagues, and to the countless students, scholars, and admirers whose lives were enriched by his presence. India will forever remain indebted to his towering intellect, his quiet yet resolute leadership, and his selfless service to the nation. India mourns the loss of a stalwart of ISRO and a guiding light in our education reforms. His legacy will continue to shape young minds and future scientists. Heartfelt tributes. Om Shanti.”

Dr. Kasturirangan’s personal journey was as remarkable as his professional one. With roots in Tamil Nadu, his family later settled in Kerala—his maternal forefathers in Nallepalli Agraharam, Palakkad, and paternal forefathers in Chalakudy, Thrissur. His maternal grandfather, Sri Ananthanarayana Iyer, a sanitary inspector in Ernakulam, instilled in him values of discipline and integrity that defined his career.

The academic and scientific communities have hailed Dr. Kasturirangan as a mentor and visionary. His roles as Chancellor of the Central University of Rajasthan and NIIT University, and as Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore (2004–2009), further showcased his commitment to education and research.

As India mourns this irreplaceable loss, Dr. K. Kasturirangan’s legacy will continue to inspire through the policies he shaped, the scientific advancements he pioneered, and the countless lives he touched. His vision for a knowledge-driven, inclusive India will guide the nation for generations to come.

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