biography of vikram sarabhai in english

• History & Society
• Science & Tech
• Biographies
• Animals & Nature
• Geography & Travel
• Arts & Culture
• Games & Quizzes
• On This Day
• One Good Fact
• New Articles
• Lifestyles & Social Issues
• Philosophy & Religion
• Politics, Law & Government
• World History
• Health & Medicine
• Browse Biographies
• Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
• Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
• Environment
• Fossils & Geologic Time
• Entertainment & Pop Culture
• Sports & Recreation
• Visual Arts
• Demystified
• Image Galleries
• Infographics
• Top Questions
• Britannica Kids
• Saving Earth
• Space Next 50
• Student Center

• Is mathematics a physical science?
• Why does physics work in SI units?

Vikram Sarabhai

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• Indian Institute of Science - Dr. Vikram Sarabhai’s 100th Birth Anniversary
• Government of India - Master Control facility - Department of Space - Biography of Vikram Sarabhai
• MapsofIndia.com - Who is Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai?
• Indian Space Research Organization, Department of Space - Dr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai (1963-1971)
• IndiaNetzone - Biography of Vikram Sarabhai
• Indian Institute of Governance (IIG) - Vikram Sarabhai

Recent News

Vikram Sarabhai (born August 12, 1919, Ahmadabad, India—died December 30, 1971, Kovalam) was an Indian physicist and industrialist who initiated space research and helped develop nuclear power in India .

Sarabhai was born into a family of industrialists. He attended Gujarat College, Ahmadabad , but later shifted to the University of Cambridge , England, where he took his tripos in natural sciences in 1940. World War II forced him to return to India, where he undertook research in cosmic rays under physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman at the Indian Institute of Science , Bangalore (Bengaluru). In 1945 he returned to Cambridge to pursue a doctorate and wrote a thesis, “Cosmic Ray Investigations in Tropical Latitudes,” in 1947. He founded the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmadabad on his return to India.

The range and breadth of Sarabhai’s interests were remarkable. In spite of his intense involvement with scientific research, he took active interest in industry, business, and development issues. Sarabhai founded the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association in 1947 and looked after its affairs until 1956. Realizing the need for professional management education in India, Sarabhai was instrumental in setting up the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmadabad in 1962.

Establishing the Indian National Committee for Space Research in 1962, which was later renamed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Sarabhai also set up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in southern India. After the death of physicist Homi Bhabha in 1966, Sarabhai was appointed chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India. Carrying forward Bhabha’s work in the field of nuclear research, Sarabhai was largely responsible for the establishment and development of India’s nuclear power plants. He laid the foundations for the indigenous development of nuclear technology for defense purposes.

Dedicated to the use of all aspects of science and technology in general and to space applications in particular as “levers of development,” Sarabhai initiated programs to take education to remote villages through satellite communication and called for the development of satellite-based remote sensing of natural resources.

Sarabhai was awarded two of India’s highest honours, the Padma Bhushan (1966) and the Padma Vibhushan (awarded posthumously in 1972).

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• Vikram Sarabhai Biography

Who is Vikram Sarabhai?

On August 12, 1919, Vikram Sarabhai was born in Ahmedabad, India. His full name is Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai and he was the son of Ambalal Sarabhai who was a Gujarati industrialist. Dr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was an Indian physicist and an astronomer who started the space research organization and initiated the nuclear power plant in India. Because of his achievement, he is regarded as the Father of the Indian space program. He was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1972. Vikram Sarabhai passed away on December 30, 1971, in Kovalam. 

In this article on Vikram Sarabhai biography, we are going to discuss who is Vikram Sarabhai, Vikram Sarabhai education, and the achievements he accomplished throughout his life. 

Vikram Sarabhai Information

Full Name : Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai

Date of Birth: August 12, 1919

Death Date: December 30, 1971

Cause of Death: Cardiac arrest 

Age(at the time of death): 52  

Information about Vikram Sarabhai

Vikram Sarabhai was born on August 12, 1919, in a Gujarati industrial family. His father’s name was Ambalal Sarabhai who was an industrialist, a philanthropist, and the founder of the Sarabhai group of companies. His mother’s name was Sarla Devi and he was the Eighth son of Ambalal Sarabhai. In 1942, Vikram Sarabhai married Mrinalini who was a classical dancer by profession. The couple had two children. His daughter’s name is Mallika, who went on and became an actress and an activist. His son’s name is Kartikeya who is one of the world’s leading environmentalist educators and a dedicated community builder, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2012. During his lifetime, Vikram Sarabhai practised Jainism and had dedicated his life to building the Indian space program and that is why he is called the Father of the Indian space program. 

Vikram Sarabhai Education

Vikram Sarabhai came from the famous Sarabhai family who was a major industrialist committed to the Indian Independence movement. V ikram Sarabhai attended the Gujarati college in Ahmedabad to complete his higher studies and after doing so he then took admission to the University of Cambridge in England where in 1940, he gave his final honour exam in the Natural Sciences.

Sarbhai returned to Cambridge post world war 2 to pursue his doctorate and in 1945 he submitted a thesis on “Cosmic Ray Investigation in Tropical Latitudes”.

Vikram Sarabhai Achievements 

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai is considered the father of the Indian space program. He was a great institution builder and helped in establishing a large number of institutions in diverse fields. After returning from Cambridge in 1947, he requested his friends and family members to help him in opening a research institution near his home in Ahmedabad, thus at the age of only 28, he founded the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad on November 11, 1947.

The Physical Research Laboratory was the first of many institutions which Vikram Sarabhai created and cultivated. He served in the Physical Research Laboratory from 1966 to 1971. 

Vikram Sarabhai was also very active in his family’s industry and the business which it had. After Independence in 1947, Vikram Sarabhai founded the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association and then actively looked after it until 1956. Seeing the immediate need for management professionals in the country, Vikram Sarabhai also helped in setting up the Indian Institute of Management at Ahmedabad in 1962. 

The Indian National Committee for  Space Research (INCOSPAR) which was later renamed the Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO) was established by Vikram Sarabhai in 1962.

After the death of t he beloved physicist Homi Bhabha in 1966, Vikram Sarabhai was appointed as the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India. He is also credited for setting up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in Southern India. Vikram Sarabhai also helped in developing indigenous nuclear technology for defence. 

Vikram Sarabhai Discoveries

Vikram Sarabhai helped in setting up many institutions all around the country and here are some of the well-known institutions established by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. 

In 1947, Vikram Sarabhai established the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad. PRL is a National Research Institute for space and allied sciences. 

Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad founded on 11 December 1961 is considered to be the best institute of management in the country. 

Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), Jaduguda, Bihar was founded in 1967, under the department of atomic energy. 

Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC) or the Community science centre was established in 1960 at Ahmedabad. VASCSC is working towards popularizing science and mathematics education among students, teachers, and the public. Its main objective is to improve and find innovative methods of scientific education.

Darpan Academy for Performing Arts, Ahmedabad was founded in 1949 along with his wife and now directed by his daughter Mallika Sarabhai for the last three decades. 

Faster Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), Kalpakkam was founded in 1985 and it is the testbed for fast fuel reactors and materials.

Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad was founded in 1967 to create a strong indigenous base in electronics. 

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram founded on 21 November 1963, is a major space research centre of the ISRO which mainly focuses on rocket and space vehicles for the Indian satellite program. 

Space Applications Centre( SAC), Ahmedabad was founded in 1972. The Space Applications Centre has played an important role in realizing the vision and the mission of ISRO. 

Variable Energy Cyclotron Project or the VECC is located in Calcutta and was founded in 1972. VECC performs research in basic and applied nuclear sciences and the development of the nuclear particle accelerator. 

Vikram Sarabhai Inventions/Indian Space Research Organization

The establishment of the Indian space research organization by Vikram Sarabhai is considered to be his greatest achievement. When he returned to India after completing his Doctorate from Cambridge University in London in 1947, he was able to convince the newly formed independent Indian government of the importance of a space program for a developing country like India. Dr. Sarabhai was also supported by Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha who is widely regarded as the father of the Indian nuclear science program. He supported Dr. Sarabhai in setting the first rocket launch station in India. At Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram on the coast of the Arabian sea, the first rocket launch centre was established

The inaugural flight was launched on November 21, 1963, with sodium vapour payload after a remarkable effort in setting up the infrastructure, personnel, communication links, and launch pads. 

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was constantly in negotiations with the other leading country’s space organization such as NASA and because of his efforts, the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) was launched during July 1975 - July 1976.

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was very much interested in science education and founded the Community Science Centre at Ahmedabad in 1956. It is also called Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC). He also started a project for the fabrication and the launch of an Indian satellite.

Vikram Sarabhai worked very passionately to ignite India’s first satellite, Aryabhatta but unfortunately, he passed away four years before the launch of the satellite. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1966 and Padma Vibhushan in 1972 to remember and celebrate his life and the legacy he left behind. 

FAQs on Vikram Sarabhai Biography

Q1: When Did Vikram Sarabhai Die?

Ans: Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was a gem of India and he passed away on 30 December 1971 due to cardiac arrest at Halcyon Castle, Kovalam, Kerala.

Q2: What is Dr. Vikram Sarbhai known for?

Ans: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai is called the father of the Indian space organization and he is also known for laying the foundation stone for many institutes in India like the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.

Q3: Who was the First Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO)?

Ans: Dr. Vikram Sarbhai was the first chairman of the Indian space research organization.

Vikram Sarabhai Biography

Birthday: August 12 , 1919 ( Leo )

Born In: Ahmedabad, India

Recommended For You

Indian Celebrities Born In August

Died At Age: 52

Spouse/Ex-: Mrinalini Sarabhai

father: Ambalal Sarabhai

mother: Sarla Devi

children: Kartikeya Sarabhai, Mallika Sarabhai

Physicists Indian Men

Died on: December 30 , 1971

place of death: Halcyon Castle, Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

City: Ahmedabad, India

awards: Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (1962) Padma Bhushan (1966) Padma Vibhushan posthumous (after-death) (1972)

You wanted to know

What is vikram sarabhai known for.

Vikram Sarabhai is known as the father of the Indian space program.

Which organization did Vikram Sarabhai establish in 1963?

Vikram Sarabhai established the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1963.

What was the name of the first Indian satellite launched under Vikram Sarabhai's guidance?

The first Indian satellite, Aryabhata, was launched in 1975 under Vikram Sarabhai's guidance.

How did Vikram Sarabhai contribute to the establishment of the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)?

Vikram Sarabhai played a key role in establishing the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, which is a premier research institution in India.

What was Vikram Sarabhai's vision for the Indian space program?

Vikram Sarabhai envisioned the Indian space program as a way to harness space technology for the benefit of India's development and progress.

Recommended Lists:

Vikram Sarabhai was not only a brilliant scientist but also a lover of the arts. He was deeply interested in classical music and dance, and often attended performances to support artists.

Despite his busy schedule, Sarabhai always made time for his family. He was known to be a loving husband and father, and would prioritize spending quality time with his loved ones.

In addition to his scientific pursuits, Sarabhai was passionate about education and believed in the power of knowledge to bring about positive change in society. He established several educational institutions to promote learning and research.

Sarabhai had a keen interest in sports, particularly cricket. He would often engage in friendly matches with colleagues and friends, showcasing his competitive spirit and love for the game.

See the events in life of Vikram Sarabhai in Chronological Order

How To Cite

People Also Viewed

Also Listed In

© Famous People All Rights Reserved

Sign Up Today

Start your 14 day free trial today

History Hit Story of England: Making of a Nation

• 20th Century

Vikram Sarabhai: Father of the Indian Space Program

Peta Stamper

18 jul 2022.

Referred to as the Father of the Indian Space Program, Vikram Sarabhai was an astronomer and physicist who pioneered India’s space research.

Not only a renowned scientist, Sarabhai was an industrialist, an institution builder, a social reformer and visionary whose fierce commitment to Indian independence fuelled his work to sky-rocket India into the 20th century.

From India to England, the stars and beyond, here’s the story of Vikram Sarabhai.

An industrious beginning

Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was born on 12 August 1919 into the well-known Sarabhai family. The Sarabhai’s were major industrialists committed to securing India’s independence from British colonial rule , encouraging Vikram to study science at Gujarat College in Ahmedabad.

Sarabhai’s study then took him to the University of Cambridge in England, where he sat his final exams in natural sciences in 1940. By this time, war had engulfed Europe, Britain and its colonies, including India. Sarabhai returned to his homeland where he began researching cosmic rays.

With the end of war in 1945, Sarabhai returned to Cambridge to complete a doctorate, writing the thesis ‘Cosmic Ray Investigations in Tropical Latitudes’ in 1947.

Vikram and Mrinalini Sarabhai (1948)

Image Credit: Jigneshnat, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Father of the Indian Space Program

Back in India again, Sarabhai founded the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad. The lab came to be known as the ‘cradle of space sciences’ in India, and initially focused its research on cosmic rays and the upper atmosphere. This research soon expanded to include theoretical and radio physics, funded by the Atomic Energy Commission.

He established the Indian National Committee for Space Research in 1962 (renamed the Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO), as well as the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station. Both institutions remain in operation today.

What else should Sarabhai be remembered for?

Sarabhai’s interests were not limited to space. He was committed to developing industry, business and other socio-economic issues India faced.

Alongside managing his family’s business group, Sarabhai founded numerous non-profit organisations such as the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association, which he managed between 1947 and 1956. From this experience, he saw the need for professional management education in India.

Under British colonial rule , management positions had commonly been assumed by British colonists. Sarabhai therefore played a large role in setting up the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad in 1962.

Sarabhai had married Mrinalini Sarabhai, a classical Indian dancer from a prominent family committed to Indian independence in 1940. Despite a troublesome marriage, together they founded the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts to promote traditional Indian crafts culture in Ahmedabad.

Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai, (left) and Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator

Image Credit: NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

After the death of India’s leading physicist Homi Bhabha in 1966, Sarabhai was appointed chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India. He avidly continued Bhabha’s work in nuclear research, establishing India’s nuclear power plants and even taking the first steps towards India’s development of nuclear defence technology in the uncertain Cold War climate.

He devised programs to take education to remote villages using satellite communication and called for satellites to be used in searching for natural resources.

Ultimately, Sarabhai passionately believed all aspects of science and technology, especially anything related to space , were “levers of development”. Through science, Sarabhai would propel a decolonising India into a new age.

What was Vikram Sarabhai’s legacy?

One evening in December 1971, Sarabhai was reviewing a design while getting ready to head to Bombay that night. After a brief conversation with fellow space researcher Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (who would later be President of India), Sarabhai died of a heart attack aged 52.

For his service to independent India, Sarabhai was awarded two of the country’s highest honours: the Padma Bhushan in 1966, and the Padma Vibhushan, awarded posthumously in 1972.

His contribution to science has been recognised in the years since his death in a variety of ways: one of the Indian Space Research Organisations buildings was named after him; the Vikram Sarabhai Journalism award was created in his name; and the Indian Postal Department released a commemorative stamp on the first anniversary of his death.

Undoubtedly, Sarabhai’s legacy remains the huge leaps made by Indian space and nuclear science in the years following independence, earning India a place among the world’s leading space-faring countries and Sarabhai international renown as Father of the Indian Space Program.

You May Also Like

Do you know who built Petra?

The Dark History of Bearded Ladies

Did this Document Legitimise the Yorkists Claim to the Throne?

The Strange Sport of Pedestrianism Got Victorians Hooked on Coca

Puzzle Over These Ancient Greek Paradoxes

In Ancient Rome, Gladiators Rarely Fought to the Death

Archaeologists Uncover Two Roman Wells on a British Road

Young Stalin Made His Name as a Bank Robber

3 Things We Learned from Meet the Normans with Eleanor Janega

Reintroducing ‘Dan Snow’s History Hit’ Podcast with a Rebrand and Refresh

Don’t Try This Tudor Health Hack: Bathing in Distilled Puppy Juice

Coming to History Hit in August

Vikram Sarabhai Biography, Birth Anniversary, Invention, Awards & Honors

Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was an Indian physicist and astronomer who initiated space research and helped develop nuclear power in India. Read all about Vikram Sarabhai in this article.

Table of Contents

Vikram Sarabhai

Vikram Sarabhai, an eminent scientist, visionary, and the founding father of the Indian space program, left an indelible mark on the world of science and technology. His unwavering dedication, pioneering vision, and relentless efforts have played a pivotal role in shaping India’s journey into space exploration. This article explores the life, achievements, and legacy of Vikram Sarabhai, highlighting his contributions to space research and technology.

Who is Vikram Sarabhai?

Vikram Sarabhai (12 August 1919 – 30 December 1971) was one of the greatest scientists in India. He is renowned as the Father of the Indian space program, encompassing roles of a scientist, innovator, industrialist, and visionary. His contributions extended to establishing the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) and chairing the Atomic Energy Commission.

Alongside fellow Ahmedabad-based industrialists, he was pivotal in founding the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. A prolific institution builder, he founded or aided in creating an impressive 42 institutes spanning fields like Science, Industry, Management, and Education. Instrumental in forming the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), his legacy resonates through his multifaceted accomplishments.

Read about: Sarojini Naidu

Vikram Sarabhai Education and Early Life

Vikram Sarabhai emerged into the world as one of eight siblings in a privileged family of forward-thinking industrialists. His early schooling transpired within the nurturing corridors of “Retreat,” a private Montessori institution founded and guided by his parents. Set against the backdrop of a politically charged environment, he grew up amid India’s elite, instrumental in securing the nation’s independence and subsequently orchestrating its inaugural governments. This immersive upbringing acquainted him with notable figures, including interactions with Congress Party stalwarts like Jawaharlal Nehru. His familial network extended to spirited activism—his mother, Sarladevi, championed social causes and Montessori education, while his sister ventured into political activism. His aunt, Ansuyaken, emerged as a leader in the national labor movement.

Having completed his studies at Gujarat College in Ahmedabad in 1937, Vikram embarked on a journey to England for advanced education. He matriculated at the venerable St. John’s College, University of Cambridge, culminating in the attainment of the Tripos in Natural Sciences in 1939. As the shadows of World War II loomed, he returned to India, enrolling at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. Under the sagacious guidance of the esteemed scientist C.V. Raman, he delved into pioneering research on cosmic rays, ultimately authoring his inaugural scientific publication, “Time Distribution of Cosmic Rays,” in 1942.

In 1942, he entered into matrimonial union with the renowned classical dancer, Mrinalini. Their partnership flourished, yielding two offspring who, in time, would carve their own niches in the world of prominence. Noteworthy among them, his daughter Mallika and son Karthikeya emerged as accomplished individuals in their own right. Intriguingly, his spouse, Mrinalini Sarabhai, bore a kinship with India’s freedom fighter and revolutionary, Dr. Laxmi Sahgal. The Sarabhai clan’s leisure pursuits often led them to the tranquil embrace of the Himalayas. Here, Vikram astutely recognized the fertile grounds high altitudes provided for the study of cosmic rays, a realization that led to his strategic deployment of cosmic ray counters during these sojourns.

It was amidst the sublime landscapes of Gulmarg, near Alpathari Lake, in 1943 that Vikram’s aspirations coalesced into a visionary concept—a dedicated laboratory focused on cosmic and atmospheric physics. A return to Cambridge in 1945 further honed his expertise in cosmic ray investigations, culminating in the conferment of his doctoral degree for his scholarly dissertation, “Cosmic Ray Investigations in Tropical Latitudes.”

His influence radiated across geographical boundaries. During a visit to Thiruvananthapuram, he participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Thumba railway station, a critical component supporting the newly established Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station.

Read about: Bhagat Singh

Vikram Sarabhai Birth Anniversary and Legacy

Every year on August 12th, India celebrates the birth anniversary of Vikram Sarabhai as National Science Day. This day serves as a reminder of his enduring legacy and his significant role in propelling India’s technological advancement. Sarabhai’s unparalleled vision prompted the establishment of several research institutions, with the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) being a standout accomplishment.

Read about: Subhash Chandra Bose

Vikram Sarabhai: Contributions and Inventions

Upon his return to India in the post-independence era, Vikram Sarabhai keenly perceived the dearth of robust scientific infrastructure. Harnessing the influence of the charitable trusts under his family’s stewardship, he orchestrated the establishment of pivotal institutions that would redefine India’s scientific landscape.

Notably, in November 1947, Sarabhai played a pivotal role in birthing the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad. With atmospheric scientist K.R. Ramanathan as its founding director, PRL evolved into a distinguished research institution specializing in cosmic rays and space sciences. The foundation was laid within the confines of M.G. Science Institute, an educational bastion his parents had founded. Bolstered by support from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Atomic Energy, PRL burgeoned into a scientific powerhouse.

The pivotal juncture of 1957-1958 marked the International Geophysical Year (IGY), a turning point that exposed Sarabhai to the uncharted domain of space science following the launch of Sputnik-I. Galvanized by this, the Indian National Committee for Space Research emerged, with Vikram Sarabhai at its helm. His strategic initiatives extended to education, notably as the founding director of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, which he co-pioneered with businessman Kasturbhai Lalbhai in 1961. Another pioneering endeavor was the creation of the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University (CEPT University) in 1962, enriching disciplines such as architecture, planning, and technology.

The 1960s were marked by the establishment of key institutions driven by Sarabhai’s vision. The Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC) was forged to ignite scientific and mathematical interest among students and the public. Meanwhile, the Nehru Foundation for Development (NFD), established in 1965, was dedicated to probing societal and individual development concerns.

An invaluable collaborator was Dr. Homi Bhabha, a luminary in nuclear research. Together, they propelled the launch of India’s first Rocket Launching station (TERLS) at Thumba, strategically located near the equator on the Arabian Coast. The inaugural rocket, bearing a sodium vapor payload, soared on November 21, 1963. Recognition soon followed, with the UN General Assembly acknowledging TERLS as an international facility.

Tragedy struck in 1966 with the untimely demise of Homi Bhabha, leading to Sarabhai’s appointment as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. Yet, his most enduring contribution materialized in 1969—the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). This entity, born of his vision, aimed to advance space technology for national betterment. Sarabhai’s multifaceted impact extended to sectors beyond science, with initiatives such as the Ahmadabad Textiles Industrial Research Association (ATIRA), empowering the textiles industry. He continued this legacy of empowerment through endeavors like the Blind Men Association (BMA), providing essential support to the visually challenged.

Moreover, in tandem with his wife, Mrinalini Sarabhai, he seeded the inception of the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts. The imprint of his visionary prowess extended to institutions of note including the Faster Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), Variable Energy Cyclotron Project, Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), and Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL).

The culmination of his dialogue with NASA in 1966 was the launch of the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) in 1975-1976, a legacy that persisted even after his passing.

Read about: Maharana Pratap

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, founded in 1963, stands as a testament to Sarabhai’s dedication to advancing space technology in India. Located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, VSSC has been instrumental in developing indigenous rockets and launch vehicles. Under his leadership, India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, was launched in 1975, marking a historic milestone in the country’s space endeavors.

Incorporating state-of-the-art facilities and a cadre of brilliant minds, VSSC nurtures a culture of innovation and exploration. Its endeavours encompass conceptualizing, designing, and validating space systems, all of which form the bedrock of India’s space accomplishments. Significantly, VSSC has been a key player in the design and advancement of launch vehicles such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). These achievements have empowered India to effectively launch satellites dedicated to communication, navigation, earth observation, and scientific investigation.

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai’s indomitable spirit is woven into the very fabric of VSSC, infusing it with a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to serving national and global interests through space exploration. As a beacon of scientific innovation, VSSC continues to shape India’s space journey, ever-advancing the frontiers of human knowledge and technology, and exemplifying the profound impact of visionary leadership and dedicated pursuit of the unknown.

Read about: Chandra Shekhar Azad

Vikram Sarabhai: Awards & Achievements

• President, Physics Section, Indian Science Congress (1962): Showcased his stature in the scientific community and commitment to advancing knowledge.
• Vice-President, Fourth U.N. Conference on ‘Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy’ (1971): Exhibited his global influence in peaceful nuclear technology.
• President, General Conference of the I.A.E.A., Vienna (1970): Underlined his significant contributions to global atomic energy cooperation.
• Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC): A tribute to his role in shaping India’s space program, this center remains a hub for pioneering rocket propulsion research.
• Sarabhai Crater: Honored by the International Astronomical Union with a crater on the moon, cementing his legacy in space exploration.
• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (1962): Recognized for his pioneering cosmic ray research and space science contributions.
• Padma Bhushan (1966): One of India’s highest civilian honors, acknowledging his multidimensional impact on science, education, and society.
• Posthumous Padma Vibhushan (1972): Enshrined him as a visionary leader and scientific luminary in India’s history.

Read about: Mangal Pandey

Vikram Sarabhai: Passing and Legacy

Tragically, Vikram Sarabhai’s journey was prematurely curtailed as he breathed his last on December 30, 1971, at the age of 52, succumbing to a cardiac attack. His sudden departure was an irreplaceable void in the scientific realm, yet his enduring legacy persevered through the institutions he founded and the frameworks he set in motion. His pioneering notion of leveraging space technology for societal progress continues to illuminate ISRO’s path, propelling India into a commanding stature within the international space domain.

Information about Vikram Sarabhai

Dr. Sarabhai, who is regarded as the founder of the Indian space programme, was a brilliant institution-builder who founded or assisted in the establishment of numerous institutions across a wide range of areas. After returning from Cambridge to an independent India in 1947, he encouraged philanthropic trusts run by his family and friends to endow a research facility close to home in Ahmedabad, which is how the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) came to be.

Thus, Vikram Sarabhai founded the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad on November 11, 1947. He was only 28 at that time. Sarabhai was a creator and cultivator of institutions and PRL was the first step in that direction. Vikram Sarabhai served of PRL from 1966-1971.

Read about: Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Vikram Sarabhai UPSC

Vikram Sarabhai’s life and work continue to inspire generations of scientists, researchers, and visionaries. His pioneering efforts, coupled with his dedication to using science and technology for the betterment of society, have left an indelible mark on India’s space program. Through his visionary leadership, he ignited the spark that has propelled India’s journey into space exploration, turning his dreams into reality and laying the foundation for a brighter technological future.

Read about: APJ Abdul Kalam

Sharing is caring!

Vikram Sarabhai FAQs

Did abdul kalam worked with vikram sarabhai.

Yes, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam worked with Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who is often regarded as the father of India's space program. Kalam was mentored by Sarabhai and played a significant role in India's space and missile development programs.

What did Vikram Sarabhai died?

Vikram Sarabhai died on December 30, 1971, due to a sudden heart attack. He was a pioneering Indian scientist and the driving force behind India's space program.

What is the difference between ISRO and VSSC?

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) is the national space agency of India responsible for space research and exploration. VSSC (Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre) is a major ISRO facility focused on the development of launch vehicles and associated technologies, named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the pioneer of India's space program.

What is the role of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre?

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) plays a pivotal role within ISRO by designing and developing launch vehicle technology, conducting research and testing related to space propulsion, aerodynamics, and materials, contributing significantly to India's space exploration and satellite launch capabilities.

Which is the greatest achievement of Vikram Sarabhai?

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai's greatest achievement was establishing the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962, which later evolved into the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). His visionary leadership and efforts laid the foundation for India's successful space program, contributing to numerous space missions, satellite launches, and technological advancements.

What is the important information about Vikram Sarabhai?

Vikram Sarabhai founded the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad on November 11, 1947. He was only 28 at that time. Sarabhai was a creator and cultivator of institutions and PRL was the first step in that direction. Vikram Sarabhai served of PRL from 1966-1971.

I, Sakshi Gupta, am a content writer to empower students aiming for UPSC, PSC, and other competitive exams. My objective is to provide clear, concise, and informative content that caters to your exam preparation needs. I strive to make my content not only informative but also engaging, keeping you motivated throughout your journey!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Trending Event

• TNPSC Group 2 Hall Ticket 2024
• RPSC RAS Notification 2024
• TNPSC Group 1 Result 2024
• CDS 2 Answer Key 2024
• NDA 2 Answer Key 2024
• SSC CGL Tier 1 Admit Card 2024
• TNPSC Group 4 Result 2024

Recent Posts

UPSC Exam 2024

• UPSC Online Coaching
• UPSC Syllabus 2024
• UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2024
• UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024
• UPSC Exam Pattern 2024
• UPSC Age Limit 2024
• UPSC Calendar 2025
• UPSC Syllabus in Hindi
• UPSC Full Form
• UPPSC Exam 2024
• UPPSC Calendar
• UPPSC Syllabus 2024
• UPPSC Exam Pattern 2024
• UPPSC Application Form 2024
• UPPSC Eligibility Criteria 2024
• UPPSC Admit card 2024
• UPPSC Salary And Posts
• UPPSC Cut Off
• UPPSC Previous Year Paper

BPSC Exam 2024

• BPSC 70th Notification
• BPSC 69th Exam Analysis
• BPSC Admit Card
• BPSC Syllabus
• BPSC Exam Pattern
• BPSC Cut Off
• BPSC Question Papers

SSC CGL 2024

• SSC CGL Exam 2024
• SSC CGL Syllabus 2024
• SSC CGL Cut off
• SSC CGL Apply Online
• SSC CGL Salary
• SSC CGL Previous Year Question Paper
• SSC CGL Admit Card 2024
• SSC MTS 2024
• SSC MTS Apply Online 2024
• SSC MTS Syllabus 2024
• SSC MTS Salary 2024
• SSC MTS Eligibility Criteria 2024
• SSC MTS Previous Year Paper

SSC Stenographer 2024

• SSC Stenographer Notification 2024
• SSC Stenographer Apply Online 2024
• SSC Stenographer Syllabus 2024
• SSC Stenographer Salary 2024
• SSC Stenographer Eligibility Criteria 2024

SSC GD Constable 2025

• SSC GD Salary 2025
• SSC GD Constable Syllabus 2025
• SSC GD Eligibility Criteria 2025

IMPORTANT EXAMS

• Terms & Conditions
• Return & Refund Policy
• Privacy Policy

• All Research Areas
• Agricultural Sciences
• Astronomy & Space Sciences
• Chemical Sciences
• Cognitive Sciences and Psychology
• Computer Sciences and IT
• COVID-19 Research
• Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences
• Energy Sciences
• Engineering Sciences
• Life Sciences & Biotechnology
• Mathematical Sciences
• Material Sciences
• Medical Sciences
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Traditional Knowledge
• Other Areas
• Institutional
• International
• Grants for Seminar and Conferences
• Startup Grants
• Ministries & Departments
• Centres of Excellence
• Thematic Centres
• Centres of Higher Learning
• National Academies
• Statewise S&T Organisations
• Industry Related Associations
• Laboratories
• International Organisations
• Civil Societies
• Science Centres & Planetaria
• All Programmes & Schemes
• Research and Development
• Human Resource and Development
• Women Schemes
• International Programmes
• Societal Development
• Academia Industry Partnerships
• School Students
• Graduate Students
• Post Graduate Students
• PhD Scholars
• Post Doctoral Fellowships
• Scholarships for Women
• Faculty and Scientists
• National Fellows
• Grassroot Innovations
• Industrial Innovations
• All Technologies
• Agricultural Technology
• COVID-19 Technology
• Earth, Atmosphere & Env. Sciences
• Rural Technologies

Featured Science

Remembering vikram sarabhai: the father of indian space programme.

India’s achievement in the field of space science makes one inevitably think of one extraordinary figure —Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai — popularly called Vikram Sarabhai and widely known as ‘father of Indian space programme’, the man who placed India on the international map in the field of space research. Had it not been the Sarabhai’s vision and pioneering contribution, India would not have achieved the heights it did in the field of space science.

Born on August 12, 1919 in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad in a wealthy Jain business family his father Ambalal Sarabhai was a renowned businessman and owned many mills in Gujarat. Being a physicist and an astronomer he initiated space research and helped develop nuclear power in India. He was considered the Father of the Indian space program. Being a great institution builder, he helped establish many institutions in diverse fields.

He was a creative genius, a successful and forward looking industrialists, an innovator and a great institution builder. Establishment of India Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was one of his greatest achievements as he was the person who convinced the Government about the significance of a space programme for a developing country like India.

However, the most important thing is that besides being all that he was a very warm human being with tremendous compassion for others. He was a man who could charm and win the hearts of all those who came in contact with him. He could instantly establish a personal rapport with those with whom he interacted. This was possible because he could convey a sense of respect and trustfulness to them and also a sense of his own trustworthiness.

He had an uncanny ability to gauge the capability of a person just by talking to him for a few minutes. In fact he used to frequently say that he could judge a person from the sparkle in his/her eyes. He believed in systematically developing people. At times he will go out of the way to give a person full opportunity of developing himself/herself. He had a pleasant personality. It is said that by his mere smile he was able to transmit a great deal of inspiration to all those who worked with him.

After completing his Intermediate Science examination from Gujrat College, he shifted to Cambridge, UK in 1937 where he obtained his Tripos in Natural Sciences in 1940. At the outbreak of the Second World War he returned to India and joined the Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore where he took up research in cosmic rays under the supervision of C.V. Raman. He published his first research paper entitled “Time Distribution of Cosmic Rays” in the Proceedings of Indian Academy of Sciences.

Sarabhai’s work on cosmic rays during the period 1940-45 included the study of the time variations of cosmic rays with Geiger-Muller counters at Bangalore and at the high level station in the Kashmir Himalayas. After the war he returned to Cambridge to work for his PhD is cosmic ray physics. In 1947, he was awarded PhD by the Cambridge University for his thesis ‘Cosmic Ray investigation in Tropical Latitudes’.

After he returned from Cambridge to an independent India in 1947, he persuaded charitable trusts controlled by his family and friends to endow a research institution near his Ahmedabad home. He founded the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad on November 11, 1947, at the age of just 28.

After the death Homi J Bhabha in January 1966, Sarabhai was asked to assume the responsibilities of the office of the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission. At that time he was deeply involved in three major areas. In his own words (what he wrote to the Prime Minister accepting the offer):

“Currently I have substantive responsibilities in three areas. Firstly, at the Physical Research Laboratory as Director and Professor of Cosmic Ray Physics, where I continue my research and the supervision of doctoral candidates. Second, as Chairman of the Indian National Committee for Space Research Programme as well as the project for the development of rockets and space technology. Thirdly, I have been concerned with policy making, operations, research planning and evaluation of a significant segment of the family business interests, particularly centered around chemicals and pharmaceuticals”. He had also regular association with the Laboratory of Nuclear Science of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. But all these did not deter Sarabhai from assuming the new responsibility in the interest of the country. He had to disassociate himself from the family business. He was at the helm of both atomic energy and space research programmes in India from May 1996 till his death.

Sarabhai had realised the enormous potentialities inherent in space science and technology for a wide range of social and economic development activities – communication, meterology/weather forecasting, and exploration for natural resources, to name only a few. The Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, established by Sarabhai pioneered research in space sciences and subsequently in space technology. Sarabhai also spearheaded the country’s rocket technology. He played a pioneering role in the development of satellite TV broadcasting in India.

Sarabhai was also a pioneer of the pharmaceutical industry in India. He was among the very few in the pharmaceutical industy who recognised that the highest standards of quality should be established and maintained at any cost. It was Sarabhai who first implemented Electronic Data Processing and Operations Research Techniques in the pharmaceutical industry. He played an important role in making India’s pharmaceutical industry self-reliant and self-manufacture of many drugs and equipment in the country.

Sarabhai died on 30 December 1971 at Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. In 1974, the International Astronomical Union at Sydney decided that a Moon Crater BESSEL in the Sea of Serenity will be known as the Sarabhai Crater. His body was cremated in Ahmedabad. He was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) in 1972.

The various institutions established and looked after by Sarabhai benefitted from each other’s experience and techniques to their mutual advantage. Some of the most well-known institutions established by Sarabhai are:-

Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad

Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad

Community Science Centre, Ahmedabad

Darpan Academy for Performing Arts, Ahmedabad

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram

Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad (This institution came into existence after merging six institutions/centres established by Sarabhai)

Faster Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), Kalpakkam

Variable Energy Cyclotron Project, Calcutta

Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad

Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), Jaduguda, Bihar

भारत सरकार    Government Of India

Skip to main content

हिन्दी (HINDI)

मुख्य नियंत्रण सुविधा

भारतीय अंतरिक्ष अनुसंधान संगठन, अंतरिक्ष विभाग

MASTER CONTROL FACILITY

Indian Space Research Organization, Department Of Space

Government Of India

Indian Space Research Organization

Department Of Space

• Vision and Mission
• Present Director
• Former Directors
• Functions of MCF
• Organization Structure
• Web Information Manager
• Vigilance Officer
• Communication Satellites
• Navigation Satellites
• Earth Observation Satellites
• Transfer Orbit Services
• New Services
• Right to Information

Dr Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai

Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was one of the greatest scientists of India. He is widely regarded as the father of the Indian space programme. In fact he was a rare combination of a scientist, an innovator, industrialist and a visionary.

Vikram Sarabhai was born on August 12, 1919 at Ahmedabad in an affluent family of progressive industrialists. He was one of the eight children of Ambalal and Sarla Devi. He had his early education in a private school, 'Retreat', run by his parents on Montessori lines. Some of the great personalities like Gurudev Rabindranath, J Krishna Murthi, Motilal Nehru, VS Shrinivasa Shastri, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, Maulana Azad, CF Andrews, C V Raman et al used to stay with the Sarabhai family when they visited Ahmedabad. Mahatma Gandhi also once stayed at their house while recovering from an illness. Visits by such great personalities greatly influenced Vikram Sarabhai.

After his matriculation, Vikram Sarabhai proceeded to Cambridge for his college education and took the tripos in Natural Sciences from St. John's College in 1940. With the beginning of World War II, he returned home and joined as a research scholar under Sir CV Raman at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. His interest in solar physics and cosmic ray led him to set up many observation stations around the country. He built the necessary equipment and took measurements at Bangalore, Pune and the Himalayas. He returned to Cambridge in 1945 and completed his PhD in 1947.

Back home, he became instrumental in establishing the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad in November 1947. The laboratory was established in a few rooms in the MG Science Institute of the Ahmedabad Education Society, which was founded by his parents. Subsequently, it got support from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Atomic Energy.

The research that Vikram Sarabhai did on the time variations of cosmic rays concluded that meteorological effects could not entirely affect the observed daily variations of cosmic rays; Further, the residual variations were wide and global and these were related to variations in solar activity. Vikram Sarabhai visualised a new field of research opening up in solar and interplanetary physics.

The year 1957-1958 was designated as International Geo-physical year (IGY). The Indian programme for the IGY had been one of the most significant ventures of Sarabhai. This gave him exposure to new vistas of space science with the launching of Sputnik-I in 1957. Subsequently, the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was formed, under his chairmanship.

Knowing the unique feature of Thumba on account of its proximity to the geomagnetic equator, Vikram Sarabhai chose this fishing village near Thiruvananthapuram on the Arabian Coast to set up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching station (TERLS), the first rocket launching station in the country. In this venture he got active support from Homi Bhabha, who was then the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. The first rocket with sodium vapour payload was launched on November 21, 1963. In 1965, the UN General Assembly gave recognition to TERLS as an international facility.

After the sudden demise of Homi Bhabha in an air crash, Vikram Sarabhai took over as Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission in May 1966. He always longed that the practical application of science should reach the common man. He worked towards acquiring competence in advance technology for the solution of country's problems based on technical and economic evaluation of its real resources. He initiated India's space programme, which today is renowned all over the world.

Dr Vikram Sarabhai received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Medal in 1962. The nation honoured him awarding Padma Bhushan in 1966 and Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) in 1972.

Vikram Sarabhai passed away in his sleep on December 31, 1971.

• India Today
• Business Today
• Harper's Bazaar
• Brides Today
• Cosmopolitan
• India Today Hindi
• Reader’s Digest
• Aaj Tak Campus

Download App

Get 37% off on an annual Print +Digital subscription of India Today Magazine

From the archives (2008) | vikram sarabhai: the man who initiated india's space programme, remembering vikram sarabhai, one of india's most dynamic and endearing visionaries who headed the country's nuclear mission in the '60s, on his birthday (august 12).

Listen to Story

It is an odd bit of daredevilry to associate with a man credited with writing 80-odd scientific papers, setting up almost 40 institutions, initiating India’s space programme and heading its nuclear energy programme in the ’60s. On the other hand, in that boyhood act of heroism one can probably find the key, the essential mix of daring, skill and audacity that made his life extraordinary.

The seeds of this remarkable life were probably sown in early childhood and fostered by his unusual upbringing. Sarabhai came from a prosperous Jain family of textile mill owners in Ahmedabad. The Sarabhais, in addition to being wealthy, were close to Mahatma Gandhi and were known for their strong sense of social responsibility: Vikram’s aunt, Ansuya, founded the city’s first trade union of textile workers and his sister Mridula was actively involved in the freedom movement and went to jail many times.

Vikram and his seven siblings were educated in a private experimental school on the family’s 21-acre property, an education that included a range of extra-curricular activities as well as an exposure to distinguished visitors such as Rabindranath Tagore, Jawaharlal Nehru and Rukmini Devi Arundale. He went on to pursue physics at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore—where he studied under Nobel laureate C.V. Raman and struck a friendship with Homi Bhabha, who later set up India’s atomic energy programme—and later at Cambridge.

In the fervently idealistic post-Independence era, Sarabhai established several institutions such as the Physical Research Laboratory; the Darpana Dance Academy, which he co-founded with his wife, Mrinalini; the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA), India’s first textile research cooperative; the country’s first market research agency, the Operations Research Group; the Indian Institute of Management (Ahmedabad) and helped in setting up the National Institute of Design. The range of activities reveals the astonishing diversity of his interests and also the consistency of his approach which involved the use of scientific methods, sound financial plan and a clear nationalistic purpose.

All these features were evident in his conceptualisation of the space programme. In the early ’60s when space technology was being used for military purposes and one-upmanship between the superpowers, the idea of a poor struggling nation aspiring to a space programme of its own seemed a fairly unthinkable one. Sarabhai made it seem not only feasible but essential by setting targets for the development of technology and mapping out a range of applications—communications, weather forecasting and mineral prospecting—that could answer the needs of a developing nation.

All his projects, whether it was the satellite instructional television experiment which in 1975-76 used a NASA satellite to beam educational content to 2,400 of India’s poorest villages, or his plan for building agricultural complexes serviced by atomic power and desalinated sea water, were fired with an imaginative zeal. He worked 18-20 hours every day using both charm and persuasion to convince others, including his seniors like Bhabha, and industrialist Kasturbhai Lalbhai, who collaborated in many of his ventures, and his subordinates to share his dreams. He did have his share of critics. There were some who found his ideas wildly impractical. And others who did not appreciate his complex and highly nuanced approach to the sensitive issue of nuclear weapons. It is hard to dispute though, that when he passed away, on December 30, 1971, at the age of 52, India lost one of her most dynamic and endearing visionaries.

—The author has written Sarabhai’s biography, Vikram Sarabhai: A Life

QUICK TAKES

Q: Under which scholar did Vikram Sarabhai do research on cosmic rays? A: C.V. Raman

Q: Which was one of the first institutions he formed? A: The Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad in 1947

Q: Where did he set up the first rocket launching station? A: At Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram

Q: When was he appointed chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission? A: In May 1966

Q: Where did he receive his early education? A: In Retreat, an experimental school run by his parents in Ahmedabad

(The article was published in the INDIA TODAY edition dated April 21, 2008)

Subscribe to India Today Magazine

Dr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai (1963-1971) Home /About /Former chairman /Dr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai

Some of the most well-known institutions established by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai are:

  Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad

  Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad

  Community Science Centre, Ahmedabad

  Darpan Academy for Performing Arts, Ahmedabad (along with his wife)

   Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuramm

  Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad (This institution came into existence after merging six institutions/centres established by Vikram Sarabhai)

   Faster Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), Kalpakkam

   Varaiable Energy Cyclotron Project, Calcutta

   Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad

   Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), Jaduguda, Bihar

Indian Space Program The establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was one of his greatest achievements. He successfully convinced the government of the importance of a space programme for a developing country like India after the Russian Sputnik launch. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai emphasized the importance of a space program in his quote:

"There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space-flight. But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society."

Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha, widely regarded as the father of India's nuclear science program, supported Dr. Sarabhai in setting up the first rocket launching station in India. This center was established at Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram on the coast of the Arabian Sea, primarily because of its proximity to the equator. After a remarkable effort in setting up the infrastructure, personnel, communication links, and launch pads, the inaugural flight was launched on November 21, 1963 with a sodium vapour payload. As a result of Dr Vikram A Sarabhai's dialogue with NASA in 1966, the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) was launched during July 1975 - July 1976 (when Dr.Vikram Sarabhai was no more). Dr. Sarabhai started a project for the fabrication and launch of an Indian Satellite. As a result, the first Indian satellite, Aryabhata, was put in orbit in 1975 from a Russian Cosmodrome. Dr.Sarabhai was very interested in science education and founded a Community Science Centre at Ahmedabad in 1966. Today, the Centre is called the Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre Dr.Vikram Sarabhai was born on 12 August 1919 in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat State in western India. The Sarabhai family was an important and rich Jain business family. His father Ambalal Sarabhai was an affluent industrialist and owned many mills in Gujarat. Vikram Sarabhai was one of the eight children of Ambalal and Sarla Devi. Sarabhai matriculated from the Gujarat College in Ahmedabad after passing the Intermediate Science examination. After that he moved to England and joined the St. John's College, University of Cambridge. He received the Tripos in Natural Sciences from Cambridge in 1940. With the escalation of the Second World War, Sarabhai returned to India and joined the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore and began research in cosmic rays under the guidance of Sir C. V. Raman, a Nobel Prize winner. He returned to Cambridge after the war in 1945 and was awarded a PhD degree in 1947 for his thesis titled Cosmic Ray investigation in Tropical Latitudes. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai died on 30 December 1971 at Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

  Shanti SwarupBhatnagar Award (1962)

  Padma Bhushan (1966)

  Padma Vibhushan, posthumous (after-death) (1972)

Distinguished Position

  President of the Physics section, Indian Science Congress (1962)

  President of the General Conference of the I.A.E.A., Vienna (1970)

  Vice-President, Fourth U.N. Conference on 'Peaceful uses of Atomic Energy' (1971)

  The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, (VSSC), a research institute specialising in solid and liquid propellants for rockets located in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), capital of Kerala state, is named in his memory.

  In 1974, the International Astronomical Union at Sydney decided that a Moon Crater BESSEL in the Sea of Serenity will be known as the Sarabhai Crater.

• general knowledge

Vikram Sarabhai: All you need to know about Indian physicist, scientist, industrialist and an astronomer on his 101 anniversary

Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was an Indian physicist, scientist, industrialist and an astronomer who helped in developing nuclear power in India. He also initiated the space research in the country. Today is the 101 birth anniversary of Vikram Sarabhai. 

Vikram Sarabhai: Birth, Early Life, Education

Vikram sarabhai: career .

In 1947, PRL (Physical Research Laboratory) was founded by Vikram Sarabhai to research on cosmic rays. On November 11, 1947, the institute was formally established at M.G. Science Institute, Ahmedabad with the help from the Karmkshetra Educational Foundation. Kalpathi Ramakrishna Ramanathan, the Professor of Ahmedabad Education Society became the first Director of the Institute. 

Vikram Sarabhai led his family business and set up the Operations Research Group (ORG). This was the first research organization in the country. He also set up various institutes such as the Nehru Foundation for Development in Ahmedabad, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), the Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research Association (ATIRA) and the (CEPT).

Vikram Sarabhai: Personal Life

Vikram sarabhai: death, vikram sarabhai: positions held.

1- In the year 1962, he served as the President of the Physics section in Indian Science Congress. 

2- In 1970, he held the position of President of the General Conference of the I.A.E.A., Vienna. 

3- During 1966-1971, Vikram Sarabhai served as the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India. 

4- In 1971, he served as the Vice-President in the Fourth UN Conference on 'Peaceful uses of Atomic Energy'. 

Vikram Sarabhai: Legacy

1- The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is named after him. It is India's leading Space Research Organization for vehicle development in Kerala.

2- Vikram Sarabhai along with other industrialists played a major role in setting up the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad. 

3- On December 30, 1972, on his first death anniversary, a commemorative Postal Stamp was released by Indian Postal Department. 

4- A lunar crater in the Sea of Serenity is named after him as Sarabhai Crater by International Astronomical Union in the year 1973. 

5- On September 20, 2019, Chandrayaan-2, the lander on India's moon mission is named after him. 

6- Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC) is named after him and is located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. 

Vikram Sarabhai: Interesting Facts

1- Once Vikram Sarabhai said, 'I pay more than Rs 4 crore in taxes, you can assume that my money, paid as tax, is being used for the space programme'. This statement came after a professor asked Sarabhai that why he was spending taxpayers money on space science, which was barely known in India.

2- He was famously known as the 'Cradle of Space Sciences' in India. 

3- Former ISRO Chairman, DR Kasturirangan in his address fondly recalled his interaction with the ISRO founder, Vikram Sarabhai. Kasturirangan was interviewed by Vikram Sarabhai himself for a job at PRL and his journey from PRL to ISRO. He stated, 'Dr Sarabhai had a way of testing people’s resolve by asking specific questions and not glossing over the subject. After he understood the candidate, he would spell out his vision and explain his ideas. He would make even those who are very junior to him feel at ease by establishing a personal connect'. 

Vikram Sarabhai: Awards

1- In the year 1966, Vikram Sarabhai was honoured with Padma Bhushan-- India's third-highest civilian award. 

2- In the year 1972, he was honoured posthumously with Padma Vibhushan-- India's second-highest civilian award. 

Get here current GK and GK quiz questions in English and Hindi for India , World, Sports and Competitive exam preparation. Download the Jagran Josh Current Affairs App .

• September Important Days 2024
• Teacher's Day Wishes
• Happy Teachers Day
• Teacher's Day Quiz Question
• Paralympics 2024 Medal Tally India
• Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Quotes
• How to Use Meta AI
• India PM List 2024
• Nirmala Sitharaman
• Finance Ministers List 2024

Latest Education News

SSC GD Recruitment Notification 2025 Live: Online Application Link Today at ssc.gov.in, Check Constable Exam Details

Unified Pension Scheme: लाभ, पात्रता, न्यूनतम पेंशन राशि, पेंशन कैलकुलेटर सहित सभी डिटेल्स यहां देखें

Paris Paralympics 2024 India Medals list: हरविंदर सिंह पैरालंपिक में स्वर्ण पदक जीतने वाले पहले भारतीय तीरंदाज बने

Jasdeep Singh Gill Story: कौन हैं जसदीप सिंह गिल? केमिकल इंजीनियर से धार्मिक गुरु बनने तक की कहानी

Who is Harvinder Singh? India's First Archer To Win Gold Medal At Paralympics

Teacher's Day 2024: ये हैं देश के सर्वश्रेष्ठ शिक्षक, जिन्हें Shikshak Divas पर मिला राष्ट्रीय पुरस्कार

Teacher's Day 2024 Quiz in Hindi: छात्र Shikshak Diwas पर 15 विशेष प्रश्न और उनके उत्तर यहां पढ़ें

Genius IQ Test: Find the poisonous milk bottle in 10 seconds!

SSC CGL Admit Card 2024 Out at ssc.gov.in: Direct Link to Download Region Wise Tier 1 Hall Ticket PDF Here

SSC SR CGL Admit Card 2024 OUT at sscsr.gov.in: Download Hall Ticket Link Here

Teacher’s Day 2024 Shayari: शिक्षक दिवस पर इन शायरी से शिक्षकों को दें शुभकामनाएं

Teacher’s Day 2024: 50+ Images, Photos, Pictures to Share with your Favorite School and Coaching Teacher

RUHS B.Sc Nursing 2024 Result Declared, Download Marksheet at bscnursing2024.com

Happy Teacher’s Day 2024 Wishes, Quotes in Hindi: शिक्षक दिवस पर इन संदेशों के साथ भेजें शुभकामनाएं

Happy Teachers Day 2024: 70+ Quotes, Wishes, Greeting Messages to Share with your Teacher and Mentor

10 Amazing Ideas to Celebrate Teachers’ Day 2024

अयोध्या राम मंदिर पर हिंदी में निबंध, Essay on Ram Mandir in Hindi

DRDO ITR Recruitment 2024: Apply for 54 Graduate and Technician Diploma Apprentice Posts, Check Eligibility

MPBSE Class 9 Marathi Syllabus 2024-25: Download MP Board Marking Scheme PDF

RRB NTPC Recruitment 2024 Notification at rrbapply.gov.in for 11558 Vacancies: Check Salary, Eligibility & Exam Details

Vikram Sarabhai Biography

Table of Contents

Vikram Sarabhai was born on August 12, 1919, in Ahmedabad, India. His full name was Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai , and his dad, Ambalal Sarabhai, was a big businessman in Gujarat. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was a famous Indian scientist who did a lot of work in space and nuclear power. He started the space research organization and also began the nuclear power plant in India. Because of his great work, people call him the Father of the Indian space program. In 1966, he got the Padma Bhushan award, and in 1972, he got the Padma Vibhushan award. Vikram Sarabhai died on December 30, 1971, in Kovalam.

Fill Out the Form for Expert Academic Guidance!

Please indicate your interest Live Classes Books Test Series Self Learning

Verify OTP Code (required)

I agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy .

Fill complete details

Target Exam ---

Vikram Sarabhai

Vikram Sarabhai was a famous Indian scientist born on August 12, 1919, in Ahmedabad, India. He is known for his significant contributions to space research and nuclear power in India. Vikram Sarabhai’s full name was Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai, and his father, Ambalal Sarabhai, was a successful Gujarati industrialist.

Dr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai played a vital role in starting India’s space research program. He is often called the “ Father of the Indian Space Program ” because of his pioneering work in this field. He also initiated the development of nuclear power plants in India.

Throughout his career, Vikram Sarabhai received several honors for his outstanding contributions. In 1966, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan award, and in 1972, he received the Padma Vibhushan , one of India’s highest civilian honors.

Tragically, Vikram Sarabhai death occured on December 30, 1971, in Kovalam, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the fields of space research and nuclear energy in India. His work continues to inspire scientists and researchers around the world.

Vikram Sarabhai Education

Vikram Sarabhai’s educational journey was impressive. He studied at some of the best institutions in the world. First, he went to Cambridge University in England. There, he studied natural sciences, which included physics. This helped him build a strong foundation in science.

After that, he went to the United States and attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). At MIT, he studied further and earned his doctorate (Ph.D.) in the field of cosmic rays. Cosmic rays are high-energy particles from space, and studying them was a big deal in science.

Vikram Sarabhai Wife

Vikram Sarabhai’s wife was named Mrinalini Sarabhai. She was a well-known Indian classical dancer and a prominent figure in the world of Indian dance. Mrinalini Sarabhai was born on May 11, 1918, and she married Vikram Sarabhai, the famous scientist, in 1942.

Mrinalini Sarabhai was not only a dancer but also a choreographer and a teacher. She was a pioneer in promoting various forms of Indian classical dance, including Bharatanatyam and Kathakali, both in India and internationally. She established the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad, which became a renowned institution for dance and performing arts.

In addition to her contributions to dance and the arts, Mrinalini Sarabhai was a social activist who used her art to address social issues. She received several awards and honors during her lifetime, including the Padma Bhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship.

Together, Vikram Sarabhai and Mrinalini Sarabhai made significant contributions to their respective fields, with Vikram excelling in science and space research, while Mrinalini achieved greatness in the world of Indian classical dance and cultural preservation. Their combined legacy continues to inspire and influence generations in India and beyond.

Vikram Sarabhai Organizations

Vikram Sarabhai was a brilliant scientist who made significant contributions to the field of space research and nuclear power in India. He played a key role in setting up several important organizations.

• Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO): Vikram Sarabhai is often referred to as the Father of the Indian space program. He was instrumental in establishing ISRO, which is responsible for India’s space exploration efforts. ISRO has launched numerous satellites and missions, including Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan.
• Physical Research Laboratory (PRL): Vikram Sarabhai also founded the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, India. This institution focuses on scientific research in various areas, including space and planetary sciences.
• Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC): This center, located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is dedicated to space research and rocket launching. It is named after Vikram Sarabhai and continues his work in the field of space technology.
• Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Space Science Exhibition (VSMSE): This exhibition serves as a tribute to Vikram Sarabhai’s contributions to space science. It showcases various aspects of space research and aims to educate the public.
• Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC): This center promotes scientific education and awareness among students and the community. It encourages young minds to pursue careers in science and technology.
• Vikram Sarabhai Foundation: This foundation may refer to various initiatives and scholarships established in memory of Vikram Sarabhai to support research and education in science and technology.
• International Space Research Organizations: While Vikram Sarabhai primarily worked in India, his contributions and ideas have had a global impact on space research and technology development. Various international space organizations collaborate with ISRO and draw inspiration from his work.

By establishing these organizations and making significant advancements in space and nuclear research, Vikram Sarabhai left an indelible mark on the world of science and technology. His legacy continues to inspire future generations to explore the cosmos and push the boundaries of human knowledge.

Vikram Sarabhai Inventions

Vikram Sarabhai’s most significant achievement was starting the Indian space research organization. After finishing his studies in London in 1947, he convinced India’s new government that having a space program was essential for a developing country like India. He got support from Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha , who’s known as the father of India’s nuclear science program. Together, they set up India’s first rocket launch station in Thumba, near Thiruvananthapuram, on the Arabian Sea coast.

The first rocket took off on November 21, 1963, carrying sodium vapor. This was a big deal because they had to build everything from scratch – the launch site, the team, the communication, and the launch pads. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai also talked to other countries’ space organizations, like NASA , and this led to the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) in 1975-76.

He was really into science education and started the Community Science Centre in Ahmedabad in 1956, also known as Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC). He even started a project to make and launch an Indian satellite.

He worked really hard on India’s first satellite, Aryabhatta , but sadly, he passed away four years before it was launched. In recognition of his remarkable life and work, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai received the Padma Bhushan Award in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1972. His legacy continues to inspire us today.

Vikram Sarabhai Achievements

Vikram Sarabhai achieved many important things during his life. He was a brilliant scientist from India. One of his biggest achievements was starting the Indian space research program. This means he helped India learn about space and send satellites into space.

He also helped India get into nuclear power. Nuclear power is a special way to make electricity, and Vikram Sarabhai played a big part in starting it in India. Because of all these amazing things he did, people call him the “ Father of the Indian Space Program. ” That’s a big title because he made India a leader in space and science.

He got two important awards for his work, the Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1972. These are like medals for doing great things. Sadly, he passed away on December 30, 1971. But his work and achievements are still remembered and admired by many people in India and around the world today.

FAQs on Vikram Sarabhai Biography

When did vikram sarabhai die.

Vikram Sarabhai died on December 30, 1971.

What is Dr. Vikram Sarbhai known for?

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai is known for his significant contributions to space research and for initiating India's space program.

Who was the First Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO)?

The first Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was Dr. Vikram Sarabhai himself.

Where was Vikram Sarabhai found dead?

Vikram Sarabhai was found dead in Kovalam, India.

Is Vikram Sarabhai founder of ISRO?

Yes, Vikram Sarabhai is often referred to as the founder of ISRO due to his pioneering efforts in establishing the organization.

What is the full history of Vikram Sarabhai?

Vikram Sarabhai was an accomplished Indian scientist known for his pioneering work in space research and nuclear power. He played a crucial role in starting India's space program, making significant contributions to space science and technology. His efforts led to the establishment of ISRO, and he received several prestigious awards for his contributions to science and space exploration, including the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. Tragically, he passed away on December 30, 1971, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Indian science and space exploration.

Related content

Get access to free Mock Test and Master Class

Register to Get Free Mock Test and Study Material

Offer Ends in 5:00

Select your Course

Please select class.

• Vikram Sarabhai

Views: 9458

• Add a Profile
• Upload Photos
• Upload Videos

Category: Science

Vikram Sarabhai Profile

• August 12, 1919
• December 30, 1971
• Born / Home Town:
• Profession / Known For:
• Scientist , Technologist
• Mrinalini Sarabhai

Padma Vibhushan

Padma Bhushan

Vikram Sarabhai Biography

Vikram Sarabhai was an Indian physicist better known as "Father of Indian space program”. The establishment of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was one of his greatest achievements. He has been honoured with Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan (posthumous) by Indian government. He has also received Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (1962). Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, (VSSC), Indian Space Research Organization's lead facility for launch vehicle development located in Thumpa, Thiruvananthapuram has been named in his memory.

Dr.Vikram Sarabhai was born on 12 August 1919 in Ahmedabad , Gujarat . He was born in a rich business family. His father Ambalal Sarabhai was an industrialist who owned many textile mills in Gujarat. After completing matriculation in Gujarat, Vikram flew aboard for future studies. He joined the St. John's College, University of Cambridge and achieved Tripos in Natural Sciences from Cambridge in 1940. He returned back to India and his marriage with famous classical dancer, Mrinalini Sarabhai happened during Quit India Movement in 1942. As the marriage was conducted at Chennai , Vikram’s family couldn’t attend the function due to Quit India Movement. But it resulted in a troubled married life and he had a relationship with Dr.Kamala Choudhary. His daughter Mallika Sarabhai is a celebrated classical dancer, who received Padma Bhushan in 2010 and son Kartikeya Sarabhai has received Padma Shri for Environmental Education.

Sarabhai returned to an independent India in 1947. With the help of friends and charitable trusts, he founded a research institution near home in Ahmedabad, Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) on November 11, 1947. Establishment of ISRO is regarded as his best contribution to Indian Space researches.  After the Russian Sputnik launch he was able to convince the government about the importance of space programs for India and quite succeeded too. Homi Jehangir Bhabha also supported him to set up the first rocket launching station in India. This center was established at Thumba of Kerala near Arabian Sea.

Sarabhai has also established many institutes which are of international repute. Nehru Foundation for Development in Ahmedabad and Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad are among those. Faster Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) in Kalpakkam, Center for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) and Variable Energy Cyclotron Project in Calcutta also need special mention.

Published: N/A

Updated: October 02, 2017

Science: Most Liked People

Narayan Sadashiv Hosmane

Views: 18012

Views: 8349

S. R. Ramanan

Views: 32032

M. S. Swaminathan

Views: 29635

Srinivasa Ramanujan

Views: 22027

Raghunath Anant Mashelkar

Views: 27657

Jagadish Chandra Bose

Views: 27210

Varahamihira

Views: 28561

Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman

Views: 13844

Homi J. Bhabha

Views: 38792

Science: Most Recent People

T. A. Sarasvati Amma

M. C. Nambudiripad

Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath

M. R. S. Rao

Vashishtha Narayan Singh

B. Umadathan

Sudhir M. Parikh

Raj Pathria

E. A. Siddiq

Khem Singh Gill

Famous people: by category.

• Administration
• Environment
• News Makers
• Social Work
• Sports & Games

Famous People: By Profession

• Academician
• Action Choreographer
• Administrator
• Agriculturist
• Animal Rights Activist
• Archeologist
• Art Curator
• Art Director
• Bodybuilder
• Casting Director
• Celebrity Chef
• Chief Minister
• Child Actor
• Choreographer
• Cinematographer
• Civil Servant
• Classical Dancer
• Climatologist
• Conservationist
• Costume Designer
• Disc Jockey (DJ)
• Discus Throw
• Dubbing Artist
• Educationist
• Elocutionist
• Entrepreneur
• Environmentalist
• Fashion Designer
• Film Actress
• Film Director
• Film Editing
• Film Producer
• Financial Expert
• Folk Singer
• Formula One
• Freedom Fighter
• Hair Stylist
• Industrialist
• Intelligence
• Interior Designer
• Law Enforcement
• Make-up Artist
• Mathematician
• Meteorologist
• Mountaineer
• Music Director
• News Reader
• Ornithologist
• Philanthropist
• Philosopher
• Photographer
• Play Director
• Police Officer
• Prime Minister
• Production Designer
• Psychologist
• Public Servant
• Public Speaker
• Racing Driver
• Radio Jockey (RJ)
• Rationalist
• Religious Priest
• Screenwriter
• Social Activist
• Social Reformer
• Sound Designer
• Sound Editor
• Spiritual Leader
• Stage Actor
• Stunt Co-ordinator
• Table Tennis
• Technologist
• Television Actor
• Television Actress
• Underworld Don
• Venture Capitalist
• Vice President
• Video Jockey (VJ)
• Visual Effects
• Voice Actor
• Weightlifter
• Yoga Instructor

Famous People: By State

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Andhra Pradesh
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Chhattisgarh
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli
• Daman and Diu
• Himachal Pradesh
• Jammu and Kashmir
• Lakshadweep
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Uttar Pradesh
• Uttarakhand
• West Bengal

Suggest Khem Singh Gill profile update

Update (Maximum 4000 characters)

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to secondary sidebar

Indiaonlinepages.com - All about India!

Vikram Sarabhai Biography: Age, Birth, Education, Career, Achievements, Death Story and Other Details

Vikram Sarabhai was born on 12 August 1919 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat state in western India, and he passed away on 30 December 1971, at 52 years of age.

Vikram Sarabhai is a name that Indians will always have immense respect for.

In today’s age, we enjoy cricket matches from the comfort of our homes, get regular weather updates, get information on upcoming cyclones, enjoy ISRO’s achievements, or sit comfortably because our borders are protected.

All of this is possible via satellites, and this is where Vikram Sarabhai’s contribution to India can never be forgotten.

In today’s post, we will go through the biography of India’s pioneer, Vikram Sarabhai and discuss details about his education, career, achievements, inventions, family, death, etc.

Vikram Sarabhai Biography

Vikram Sarabhai Age, Birth, Parents and Childhood

Vikram Sarabhai was born on 12 August 1919 at the conclusion of the 1st world war. Vikram was born into an affluent family in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

This was a time when India was in the grip of British rule, and most of the families in India did not have access to basic amenities, let alone proper educational infrastructure.

However, Vikram’s family was influential across India, as his father, Mr. Ambalal Sarabhai, was one of the richest businessmen in Ahmedabad, and his mother was Mrs. Saraladevi Sarabhai.

Mr. Ambalal Sarabhai owned many mills in Gujarat and was also an active part of India’s independence movement.

Vikram was one of the eight children of his parents, and also the youngest. A lot of credit for Vikram’s success goes to his parents, who could identify the talent in Vikram’s early years.

Vikram’s schooling was very different from the rest of the Indian kids, as his father introduced a different and unique style of education for him, also known as Montessori education.

This style of education focuses mainly on children’s natural interests and activities rather than formal teaching methods.

When Vikram was only 6 years old, he used to assemble parts of railway engines, bogies, signals, and stations.

To take his passion to the next level, Vikram’s parents help him set up a mechanical workshop, along with the instructors and 2 engineers.

At a very early age, Vikram with the help of two engineers made a miniature steam engine with tracks. Today, this piece of art is preserved at the Community Science Centre in Ahmedabad.

In a way, Vikram Sarabhai was also influenced by a lot of famous personalities of that time, such as Gurudev Rabindranath, Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, Maulana Azad, etc.

Due to his parents’ involvement in India’s independence movement, a lot of these people used to visit Vikram’s house in Ahmedabad.

As a matter of fact, Mahatma Gandhi also once stayed at their house while recovering from an illness.

Vikram Sarabhai Education

Vikram Sarabhai at the end of his Montessori education at home took up the matriculation, Class 10th examination as an external candidate from RC High School, Ahmedabad.

Although his favourite subject was Science, he practiced and mastered other subjects as well, such as mathematics and arts.

To complete Class 12, Vikram took the examination at Gujarat College under Bombay University. He was also the top scorer amongst his peers in Physics as well as Chemistry.

Impressed by Vikram’s academic proficiency, the famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore even wrote a letter of recommendation to Cambridge University, stating:

“ Vikram is a young man with a keen interest in Science. He comes from a wealthy cultured family, he is a fit and proper person for admission to the university “

As a result, Vikram got accepted and moved to England to pursue Tripos in Natural Sciences, for which he was awarded a degree in 1940.

However, that was also the time when World War 2 was in full action, and a lot of Jewish scientists in Europe were moving to the US because of the execution of Jews all over Europe.

Due to all this, Vikram’s father, Ambalal got worried and insisted Vikram to come to India immediately.

Since Vikram was a bright student, he was allowed by Cambridge University to continue his PhD under the guidance of Sir C.V. Raman, a Nobel laureate, at Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Bangalore.

Soon after this, Vikram started his research studies on cosmic rays from space in 1940 and in 1943, he went to Kashmir to measure cosmic rays at high altitude.

During this time, he got married to Mrinalini Swaminathan, a famous Bharatanatyam dancer in August 1942.

As soon as the second world war ended in 1945, Vikram along with his wife Mrinalini went back to England to complete his PhD studies.

He was finally given a PhD degree in 1947 by Patrick Blackett, a Nobel laureate in Nuclear Physics and cosmic radiation.

Vikram Sarabhai Family (Wife and Children)

While Vikram was doing his research at IISC, he became interested in art, music and dance. It was during this time he met famous Bharatanatyam dancer Mrinalini Swaminathan.

Mrinalini was born on 11 May 1918 in Chennai, and she was older than Vikram by a small margin.

Mrinalini was not just a dancer, but she was also a social activist, who used her art to address current social issues.

Eventually, Vikram and Mrinalini got married in August, 1942.

By that time, the ‘Quit India’ movement had already started and Vikram’s sister Mridula was arrested, due to which his family could not attend the wedding, except for his driver, Lala.

On 27 November 1947, the couple had their first child, Kartikeya Sarabhai and on 9 May 1953, Mrinalini gave birth to a daughter, Mallika Sarabhai.

Both their children were able to take the legacy of their parents to the next level as Mallika became an actress and an activist.

Kartikeya is one of the world’s leading environmental educators, and he was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2012.

Vikram Sarabhai Career and Achievements

Vikram Sarabhai’s career is an undisputed example of determination and perseverance. In the 21st century, life of people cannot progress without the use of information and information is available via satellites.

There are 195 countries in the world, and not every country has a footprint in space. The credit for India’s success in space research goes to Vikram Sarabhai.

Homi Jehangir Bhabha, who is also known as the Father of India’s nuclear power program graduated from Cambridge University 10 years before Sarabhai.

When Vikram was studying at IISc, Homi Bhabha was working as a reader there.

This was merely a coincidence, since these two formed a strong partnership to take India to the next level in the field of science, nuclear power and technology.

When Vikram came back to India after getting his PhD degree, he formed Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad on November 11, 1947 with the help of his friends and family members.

During the same year (1947), Vikram also formed Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA).

Even though Vikram had no formal idea about how textile industries work, it was the need of the hour in young India at that time.

In 1949, Vikram along with his wife Mrinalini established an art institution called “Darpana Academy of Performing Arts” in Ahmedabad. This was an ideal platform for young Indians to get trained in various arts like music, dance, drama etc.

Interestingly, Vikram Sarabhai was involved in the renaissance of the pharmaceutical industry in India. He believed from the start, that this industry should have the highest quality standards.

To achieve this, he collaborated with European and American countries and started the manufacturing of medicines like vitamins, penicillin, etc. in 1956, which are essential for the masses in any country.

Due to this reason, India has now become self-reliant in the pharmaceutical industry.

There was a time when Vikram Sarabhai was leading multiple industries and was working almost 20 hours a day along with a lot of travelling.

During the years 1955-1962, Vikram also used to travel to the US to teach students at MIT, Boston.

This gave him an opportunity to collaborate with the Government of India, esteemed businessman Kasturbhai Lalbhai of Ahmedabad, The Harvard Business School to establish Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad in 1961.

Vikram Sarabhai Contribution to ISRO and Space

The idea for India’s space adventure seeded when the USSR launched a satellite into space for the first time in the world on 4th Oct 1957.

This gave Vikram Sarabhai an opportunity to speak to the PM of India Jawaharlal Nehru and convince the government of India to have their own space program.

According to Vikram Sarabhai, “if India is to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society.”

In this initiative, Vikram was well supported by Homi Bhabha.

As a result, INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee on Space Research) was launched under DAE (Department of Atomic Energy) in 1962.

The aim of this organization was to set up India’s first rocket launching station at Thumba in Kerala.

To facilitate this project, many young engineers were sent for training at NASA. One of those young scientists was APJ Abdul Kalam.

After six months of hard work and dedication, the first sounding rocket of India was launched on 21 November 1963 from “Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS)”.

It is even reported that Vikram Sarabhai worked for a token salary of one rupee in view of his personal wealth.

On 1 January 1965, Sarabhai set up the Space Science and Technology Center (SSTC), which was later renamed as Vikram Sarabhai Space Center – VSSC.

However, on 24 Jan 1966, Homi Jehangir Bhabha died in a plane crash, which meant Vikram Sarabhai had to take overall responsibility of Indian nuclear energy research as the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy.

In the year 1969, INCOSPAR became the Indian Space Research Organisation. This was the time when Vikram Sarabhai started a project to launch an Indian satellite to provide Television for five lakh villages of India (Aryabhata).

In the coming years, Dr Sarabhai was in constant touch with NASA and the European space agency to exchange information, so India could send their own satellite.

Unfortunately, Vikram Sarabhai passed away on 30 December 1971 due to a cardiac arrest.

However, his efforts did not go to vain, as India was eventually able to put their own satellite Aryabhata into orbit on 19 April 1975 with the help of a Russian Cosmodrome.

Vikram Sarabhai Organizations Founded

Vikram sarabhai awards.

As an Indian, one of the highest awards one could receive is a Padma Bhushan. Vikram Sarabhai was given a Padma Bhushan in 1966 due to his contributions to the country.

After his death, Vikram Sarabhai was also awarded with Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) in 1972, which is the second-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna.

In addition to this, Vikram received several awards such as:

• President of the Physics section, Indian Science Congress (1962),
• Vice-President, Fourth U.N. Conference on ‘Peaceful uses of Atomic Energy’ (1971),
• President of the General Conference of the I.A.E.A., Vienna (1970),
• Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, (VSSC) named after him
• A crater on the moon ‘BESSEL A’ has been named the Sarabhai crater by the International Astronomical Union in 1973,
• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (1962)
• Chandrayaan-3 lander was named “Vikram” after Vikram Sarabhai

Vikram Sarabhai Death Cause and Place

Vikram Sarabhai passed away in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 30 Dec 1971, when he was only 52 years of age.

There are a lot of theories about how he died, the one that was reported was massive cardiac arrest.

Padmanabh Joshi, who was a close associate of the Sarabhai family, once revealed that the entire train compartment used to be empty, if Vikram was travelling by train.

In one of his quotes, Vikram also stated “he was being watched by Americans as well as Russians”.

In fact, the famous ISRO scientist Nambi Narayan quoted in his book “Ormakalude Bhramanapadham” that high ranked international personalities were involved in Vikram Sarabhai’s death.

The fact is Vikram Sarabhai’s contribution has changed and shaped the daily life of every Indian, whether we may see it or not.

He has pushed India to a stage, where India has become a global dominant power in the field of science, space and research.

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

• Famous Personalities /

Father of Indian Space Program- Dr. Vikram Sarabhai’s Education Journey

• Updated on  
• Mar 31, 2022

Known as the Father of the Indian Space Program, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was a renowned Indian physicist and astronomer who encouraged space research and played a vital role in developing nuclear power in India. He is a Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan. He died at the age of 52 in 1971. This blog gives you an insight into the educational journey of the Father of the Indian Space Program. 

This Blog Includes:

Who is dr. vikram sarabhai, life and education of dr. vikram sarabhai, father of the indian space program, major contributions of dr. vikram sarabhai, major achievements, innovations, and inventions by scientist vikram sarabhai, other honorable mentions about dr. vikram sarabhai, awards of dr. vikram sarabhai, vikram sarabhai’s legacy, dr. vikram sarabhai’s death.

Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai (August 12, 1919 – December 30, 1971) was an Indian physicist and astronomer who pioneered space exploration and contributed to the development of nuclear power in India. In 1966, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, and in 1972, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan (posthumously). He is known across the world as the “Father of India’s Space Program.”

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was born to a well-known Indian industrialist, philanthropist, institution builder, Ambalal Sarabhai. He married Mrinalini Sarabhai and the couple has two children, Mallika Sarabhai (Daughter) and Kartikeya Sarabhai (Son).

He attended Gujarat College in Ahmedabad, India. In 1940, he moved to the University of Cambridge where he took his tripos in natural sciences. In 1945, he returned to Cambridge post-world war II  and pursued a PhD . In 1947, he wrote a thesis “Cosmic Ray Investigations in Tropical Latitudes” 

Also Read: Education of Nelson Mandela

Vikram Sarabhai, who pioneered India’s space program and assisted in the development of nuclear power, was a remarkable institution builder who built or assisted in the establishment of, a huge number of institutions in a variety of subjects. On November 11, 1947, Vikram Sarabhai established the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad. He was only 28 years old at the time. Sarabhai was an institution builder and nurturer, and PRL was the first step in that direction. From 1966 until 1971, Vikram Sarabhai was a member of the PRL. Between 1966 and 1971. Sarabhai’s interests were diverse, and he was important in establishing the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Ahmedabad in 1962, recognizing the need for professional management education in India. One of his most notable accomplishments was the founding of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). After the Russian Sputnik launch, Sarabhai was able to persuade the government of the significance of a space program for a developing country like India (a series of three artificial Earth satellites).

In 1947, Vikram Sarabhai founded the Physical Research Laboratory which started with research on cosmic rays. In the same year, the Institute was officially established at the M.G. Science Institute, Ahmedabad.

Sarabhai was responsible for setting up the Operations Research Group (ORG) i.e. the first market research organization in India. Other notable institutes set up by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai are

• Nehru Foundation for Development, Ahmedabad
• Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association
• Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
• Darpana Academy of Performing Arts
• Electronics Corporation of India Limited, Hyderabad
• Uranium Corporation of India Limited, Jharkhand 

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai started a project for the launch of the first Indian satellite, Aryabhata. The satellite was put in orbit in 1975 from a Russian cosmodrome. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was the founder of the Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO. 

• Sarabhai received his Ph.D. from Cambridge University in England. Following WWII, he relocated to India.
• At the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, he studied cosmic rays under physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman.
• He returned to Cambridge in 1945 to seek a doctorate, and in 1947 he completed his thesis, “Cosmic Ray Investigations in Tropical Latitudes.”
• On his return to India, he established the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad.
• In 1947, he founded the Ahmedabad Textile Industry Research Association.
• Sarabhai is also the founder of the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, which was founded in 1962.
• In 1962, he became the President of the Physics section, of the Indian Science Congress.
• In 1970, he became the President of the General Conference of the I.A.E.A., Vienna.
• From 1966 to 1971, he served as the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India.
• In 1971, he became the Vice-president of the Fourth UN Conference on ‘Peaceful uses of Atomic Energy.
• In 1972, he founded the Space Application Centre,  an institution of research in Ahmedabad under the support of the Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO. He served as the chairman of the same until 1971. 
• Awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1966.
• Posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972.

For his contributions to the area of space research, Vikram Sarabhai is known as the “Father of the Indian Space Program.” He received the Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in 1972, two of India’s highest distinctions. Vikram Sarabhai’s legacy carries on through the Indian space program and the nuclear program, both of which are centered on indigenous development, as he envisioned.

Vikram was the name of India’s Chandrayaan-2 lander, as well as the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), ISRO’s rocket development site in Thiruvananthapuram. The Sarabhai crater on the moon, located in Mare Serenitatis or Sea of Serenity and visible from Earth on the near side, is named after him.

At the age of 52, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai died due to cardiac arrest in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He was supposed to review the SLV design before his departure for Bombay the same night as his death. 

This was all about the Father of the Indian Space Program – Dr. Vikram Sarabhai’s education journey.  For more such exciting and educational reads, make sure to connect with Leverage Edu on Instagram , Facebook, YouTube , and LinkedIn .

Damanpreet Kaur Vohra

Daman is an author with profound expertise in writing engaging and informative content focused on EdTech and Study Abroad. With a keen understanding of these domains, Daman excels at creating complex concepts into accessible, reader-friendly material. With a proven track record of insightful articles, Daman stands as a reliable source for providing content for EdTech and Study Abroad.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

Leaving already?

8 Universities with higher ROI than IITs and IIMs

Grab this one-time opportunity to download this ebook

Connect With Us

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

September 2024

January 2025

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

• Photo Gallery
• World Records
• World History
• Indian Dance
• Indian Music

Kids Portal For Parents India Kids Network

Vikram A. Sarabhai Biography For Students

4to40.com August 11, 2019 Biographies for Kids 8,081 Views

One of the greatest scientists of India . As Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, he guided research of the greatest importance to the country. A born scientist and a beloved teacher. ~ P.S.V. Shetty

On his return from the United Kingdom with a Ph.D., he founded the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, an institution devoted to the study of cosmic rays and other space. In 1955, he set up a branch of the laboratory at Gulmarg in Kashmir. He also set up other branches in Trivandrum and Kodaikanal.

Vikram A. Sarabhai was born on August 12, 1919, and his wife was similar to Bhabha’s. He, too, belonged to a wealthy family. Had he wished, he could have become an industrialist, but his basic interest was in mathematics and physics? The purpose of the Physical Research Laboratory that he founded was similar to Bhabha’s creation, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. It provides the technology and scientists needed for the country’s space programmes, just as the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research provides these for its nuclear programme.

In fact, Sarabhai ushered in the space age in the country by expanding the Indian Space Research Organization. The credit for much of what India achieved in space technology must go to him, though he did not live to see many of the fruits of his labour. Among the projects he planned was the one under which India ‘s first satellite, Aryabhata , was launched in 1975. The Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) in 1975-76, which sought to bring education to five million people in 2,400 Indian villages, also owes much to Sarabhai.

In one respect Sarabhai went a step ahead of Bhabha. He built a variety of institutions-one devoted to modernization of the textile industry, another to development of management skills and yet another to popularizing science, apart from the Physical Research Laboratory and the Indian Space Research Institute.

Like Bhabha he died at an early age, when he was only 52. He received many honors and awards for his services to science and society. The International Astronomical Union named after him a crater on the moon in the Sea of Serenity.

• Stumbleupon

Tags Greatest Researchers of India Greatest Scientists of India India Famous Biographies India Famous Researchers Biography India Famous Scientists Biography India Images & Videos India Personalities Biography India Popular Researchers Biography India Popular Scientists Biography India Top 10 Researchers India Top 10 Scientists Indian Famous Personalities Life History of India Researchers Life History of India Scientists Life History of Researchers Life History of Scientists Researchers of India Scientists of India

Related Articles

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Biography For Children

3 hours ago

Dhyan Chand Biography For Students

Mother Teresa Biography For Students and Children

Tulsidas Biography For Students And Children

3 weeks ago

Sheikh Hasina Biography: Family, Education, Political Career, Quotes

4 weeks ago

Jyotirmoyee Sikdar Biography, Indian Athlete & Career in Politics

August 5, 2024

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Biography For Students and Children

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam – Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (born 15 October, 1931 …

• IAS Preparation
• This Day in History
• This Day In History Aug - 12

Birth of Eminent scientist Vikram Sarabhai - [August 12, 1919] This Day in History

Vikram Sarabhai, the ‘Father of Indian space programme’ was born on 12 August 1919 in Ahmedabad, Bombay Presidency. In this edition of This Day in History, you can read about the life and contribution of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai for the IAS exam .

Vikram Sarabhai Biography

Born into a Gujarati industrialist family, Dr Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was educated at Gujarat College and the University of Cambridge. His doctoral thesis at Cambridge was on ‘Cosmic Ray investigation in Tropical Latitudes’.

Dr Sarabhai understood the importance of having a space research programme for a developing country and convinced the government of it. He pioneered space research in India. He was instrumental in establishing the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969. He also set up India’s first rocket launching station at Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram with the help of Dr Homi Bhabha. Thus, he is widely regarded as the ‘Father of Indian space programme’ .

He was also the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (Founded on August 3, 1954 ) and played a major role in the establishment of many educational Institutes in India. His involvement in the development of India in terms of education and science was visible even after his death, based on his dialogue with NASA, The Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE), launched in 1976.

His contribution to the field of Indian Space Centre has been great in every respect. His contribution in launching the first Indian Satellite, Aryabhatta is also undeniable. Apart from Science and Space, he took an active interest in fields of business and industry. He was the founder of the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association and managed it till 1956.

Vikram Sarabhai, along with, The ‘Father of India’s Nuclear Science Program ‘, Homi Bhabha had set up the first rocket launching station in India. It was built in St Mary Magdalene Church near Thiruvananthapuram.

Candidates preparing for the upcoming UPSC 2023 exam must be aware of the life and achievements of Vikram Sarabhai.

He also established the Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC) in the 1960s to popularise science and maths among students and the public. He was given the position of Vice President in the fourth U.N.Conference on ‘Peaceful uses of Atomic Energy’.

After the death of Homi Bhabha , Vikram Sarabhai was largely responsible for the establishment and development of nuclear power plants in India. He was intensively involved in educating children in remote areas of the country through satellite communication and worked for the evolvement of satellite-based remote sensing of natural resources.

Given below is the list of Institutes established by Vikram Sarabhai along with the honours and awards he was presented with during his life:

Institutes established by Vikram Sarabhai

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA)
• Operations Research Group (ORG) – India’s first market research organization
• Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA)
• Center for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT)
• Faster Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam
• Blind Men Association (BMA)
• Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) at Hyderabad
• Variable Energy Cyclotron Project at Calcutta
• Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) at Jharkhand.
• Darpana Academy of Performing Arts (along with his wife, dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai)

Awards and honours conferred

• President of the Physics section, Indian Science Congress (1962)
• Vice-President, Fourth U.N. Conference on ‘Peaceful uses of Atomic Energy’ (1971)
• President of the General Conference of the I.A.E.A., Vienna (1970)
• The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, (VSSC) which conducts research in the field of rocket propellants in Thiruvananthapuram is named after him.
• A crater on the moon ‘BESSEL A’ has been named the Sarabhai crater by the International Astronomical Union in 1973.
• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (1962)
• Padma Bhushan (1966)
• Padma Vibhushan, posthumous (1972)

Dr Sarabhai died in December 1971 at Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram aged 52.

1765 : The East India Company conferred Diwani rights over Bengal, Bihar and Odisha by Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II which paved the way for British expansion into India. 1868 : Birth of Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India from 1916 to 1921. Chelmsford, along with Edwin Montague implemented the Montague-Chelmsford reforms that gave more autonomy to local representative bodies in India. 1991 : The Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (prevention) amendment bill (TADA) was passed by the Parliament.

See previous  ‘This Day in History’ here .

Multiple Choice Question

• The Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was established by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962 under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
• INCOSPAR set up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) at Thumba, near Thiruvananthapuram at India’s southern tip. TERLS is a spaceport used to launch rockets.
• ISRO has developed three types of launch vehicles (or rockets) namely, the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle), and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mark III or LVM).
• Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIS) is to map the surface composition and mineralogy of Mars. It was one of the payloads carried on India’s Mars Mission.

Choose the correct answer from the below-given options.

• Only Statements 1 and 2 are correct
• Only Statements 1 and 3 are correct
• Only Statements 2 and 3 are correct
• None of the above-given statements is false.

Also read the biographies of:

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

IAS 2024 - Your dream can come true!

Download the ultimate guide to upsc cse preparation, register with byju's & download free pdfs, register with byju's & watch live videos.