Launch of the Dr Kasturirangan Trust

The Dr Kasturirangan Trust was formally launched at an inaugural ceremony in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on October 25, 2026. The Trust is a non‑profit, non‑political public charitable trust created to honour the legacy of Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan (1940–2025), whose six‑decade career shaped India’s space programme, science and technology policy, and education reforms. The Trust’s stated mission is to support research, encourage innovative ideas, and develop practical solutions to societal challenges.

Focus Areas

The Trust will operate across four thematic pillars:

  • Space and Technology
  • Education
  • Sustainability
  • Public Policy

These pillars guide the Trust’s activities, which include fellowships, scholarships, research grants, conferences, book‑writing support, scientific curation, and collaborations with Indian and international institutions.

Governance Structure

The Trust is governed by three bodies:

  • Board of Trustees
  • Advisory Board
  • Executive Council

The trustees pictured at the launch include Anurag Behar, Dr. Sanjay Rangan, Dr. Mukund Kasursrinivas Rao, and other distinguished members.

First Initiative – Dr Kasturirangan 2027 Fellowship

The Trust’s inaugural programme, the Dr Kasturirangan 2027 Fellowship, will support six PhD or post‑doctoral researchers whose work spans at least two of the Trust’s focus areas and demonstrates real‑world applicability. Each fellow receives a one‑time award of Rs 4 lakh to cover research costs, mentorship, and participation in two annual workshops where they present their work. Fellows also gain membership in a growing peer community.

Eligibility and Timeline

  • Candidates must have submitted their PhD thesis between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2026.
  • For the first year, nominations must be made by a group of eminent individuals who knew Dr. Kasturirangan or by leading universities; an open call for applications is planned for later years.
  • Nomination window: 27 October 2026 – 31 December 2026.
  • Announcement of the first cohort: 25 April 2027.

Quote from Trustee

Dr. Sanjay Rangan, Trustee of the Dr Kasturirangan Trust, stated: “Dr. Kasturirangan believed in the power of knowledge and research to address the challenges facing our country. Through this Trust, we hope to carry forward his vision by bringing people and institutions together to find solutions that benefit society and support future leaders.”

Background on Dr. K. Kasturirangan

Dr. K. Kasturirangan was a pioneering space scientist who served as Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 1994 to 2003. He later contributed to national science and education policy as a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), a Member of the Planning Commission, and Chairman of the committee that drafted the National Education Policy 2020. He was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 2000.