Dr Kasturirangan, the mind behind the New Education Policy, used to head India’s space agency

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BI India BureauAug 7, 2020, 16:41 IST
Dr Kasturirangan, the mind behind the New Education Policy, used to head India’s space agency

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  • Kasturirangan, who is the head of the drafting committee on NEP, strongly believes in the need for diversity in education.
  • Kasturirangan is also an eminent scientist who steered the Indian space programme as chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for nine years.
  • He pursued Bachelor of Science with Honours and Master of Science degrees in Physics from Bombay University.

The Indian government has revamped its education policy after three-long-decades. And a big part of the credit goes to Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan — who along with his team drafted the policy. The new education policy includes a whole host of changes, including the new 5+3+3+4 structure, flexible examinations, and opening up vocational education training at younger levels.

Kasturirangan, who is the head of the drafting committee, strongly believes in the need for diversity in education. “Education cannot be in watertight compartments anymore. A chartered accountant cannot just study finance. The panel felt that the various aspects and stages in a child’s education must be interconnected, like school to college to university education. There must be coherence for holistic learning. We can no more afford to be straight-jacketed,” Dr K Kasturirangan told Live Mint.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the New Education Policy, saying that this will lay the foundation for 21st century India.

Kasturirangan is an eminent scientist who chaired the Indian Space Research Organisation for nine years. He steered the Indian space program and oversaw some of the vital developments, including Indian National Satellite (INSAT-2) and Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS-1A & 1B).

Let’s take a quick look at the Dr Kasturirangan’s journey so far —

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​Kasturirangan is currently the Chancellor of Central University of Rajasthan and NIIT University. He has also served as the chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University and the chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission.

​Kasturirangan is currently the Chancellor of Central University of Rajasthan and NIIT University. He has also served as the chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University and the chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission.
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He pursued a Bachelor of Science with Honours and Master of Science degrees in Physics from Bombay University. In 1971, he completed his Doctorate Degree in Experimental High Energy Astronomy.

​During his time at ISRO, he was a part of several successful launches, including the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.

​During his time at ISRO, he was a part of several successful launches, including the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.
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He left ISRO in 2003 — the same year when India was attempting its ambitious mission to mars Mangalyaan. Later that year, he became a Member of Parliament.

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​In 2004, he became the director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies Bangalore and served this position for five years. He has played a crucial role in shaping education policies for years now and is a member of several scientific academies. ​

​In 2004, he became the director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies Bangalore and served this position for five years. He has played a crucial role in shaping education policies for years now and is a member of several scientific academies. ​
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He is also a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy, National Academy of Sciences of India, Indian National Academy of Engineering, Astronautical Society of India, National Telematics Forum, The Indian Meteorological Society and The Third World Academy of Sciences.

He is also a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy, National Academy of Sciences of India, Indian National Academy of Engineering, Astronautical Society of India, National Telematics Forum, The Indian Meteorological Society and The Third World Academy of Sciences.
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​He is the recipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.

​He is the recipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.
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He has also conferred with many other awards — Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in Engineering, Shri Hari Om Ashram Dr.Vikram Sarabhai Prerit Award in Aerospace, M.P.Birla Memorial Award in Astronomy, Shri M.M.Chugani Memorial Award in Applied Science, H.K.Firodia Award in Science Technology, Rathindra Puraskar by Visvabharati, Santiniketan, Dr.M.N.Saha Birth Centenary Medal.

He has written more than 200 papers — both in international and national journals in the areas of astronomy, space science, space applications — and has edited six books

He has written more than 200 papers — both in international and national journals in the areas of astronomy, space science, space applications — and has edited six books
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