Astrophysicist and Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) Director Annapurni Subramaniam has become the first Indian woman scientist to receive the prestigious COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal-2026. She was presented the honour on Monday during the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Florence, Italy, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to space science and astronomy.
Subramaniam is widely known for her work in stellar physics, particularly on star clusters and nearby galaxies. She also holds additional charge as Director of the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS). In 2024, she received the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, Vigyan Shri in the Space Science and Technology category for her contributions to scientific research.
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Major Contributions to India’s Space Missions
The COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal is jointly awarded by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), an international scientific body affiliated with the International Science Council and the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS), along with ISRO. Subramaniam is the fourth Indian to receive the honour. She served as the calibration scientist for the Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) aboard AstroSat, India’s first space-based observatory launched in 2015. She has also contributed to the international Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT) project, in which India is a partner.
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Milestone for Indian Women in Science
The award marks a significant milestone for Indian women in astronomy and space science. Beyond her research, Subramaniam has played an important role in advancing astronomical instrumentation and international scientific collaboration. A Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences and a member of the International Astronomical Union, her recognition further strengthens India’s growing presence in global space research and scientific innovation.
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