Born to an intellectual family in Kolhapur, India on July 19, 1938, Jayant Vishnu Narlikar had a Mathematician for a father in Prof. Vishnu Vasudev Narlikar and a Sanskrit scholar for a mother in Sumati Narlikar. He did his entire schooling in Varanasi. Little did he know as a kid who was so interested in mathematics, that his father was a mathematician! The interest developed naturally in him.
He got his Bachelor of Science degree from Banaras Hindu University in 1957 and went on to study in Cambridge University. He received his B.A in mathematics from there in 1959 and was the Senior Wrangler, meaning the one who secured the highest overall marks in the final year exams in mathematics.
He had the opportunity of being awarded the PhD in 1963 under the watchful eyes of Fred Hoyle. Narlikar is known across the world for his work in cosmology. The main topic being researching for models which explain the development of the universe differently than the big bang model.
In 1988, the Indian University Grants Commission set up the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, and Narlikar became the Founder-Director of IUCAA. He can still be reached at the IUCAA, where he is now an Emeritus Professor with never ending enthusiasm.
Being awarded a plethora of awards and doctorates in India as well as worldwide, this gem of India has also left beautiful marks in the literary world. He has authored science fictions, novels, and short stories in English, Hindi, and Marathi. Narlikar is recognized for his efforts of creating scientific awareness among people through his books, articles, and radio & television.