K Kasturirangan, architect of the National Education Policy, passes away at 84

NEW DELHI: Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman and the architect of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, K Kasturirangan passed away on Friday, in Bengaluru. He was 84.

Kasturiranagan was the chairman of the drafting committee of the NEP. In 2021 he also headed the steering committee, which drafted the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), following the implementation of NEP in the country. Both roles put him at the forefront of education reform under the Narendra Modi-led government.

He was the ISRO chairman from 1994 to 2003 and also remained a Rajya Sabha member between 2003-2009. He has also been awarded with three major civilian awards --the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.

‘A towering figure,’ says PM Modi

Following the announcement of his demise, PM Modi took to X to express his condolences and shared his picture with Kasturirangan.

“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 served ISRO with great diligence, steering India’s space programme to new heights, for which he also received global recognition. His leadership also witnessed ambitious satellite launches and focused on innovation,” said PM Modi.

Talking about his contribution in the education sector, Modi said, “India will always be grateful to Dr. Kasturirangan for his efforts during the drafting of NEP and in ensuring that learning in India become more holistic and forward looking. He was also an outstanding mentor to many young scientists and researchers.”

Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan described Kasturirangan’s demise a “personal loss” to him.

“To me, he was far more than a mentor-he was a guiding light, a wellspring of wisdom, compassion and quiet strength. He 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 said.