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Indian Astrophysicist Receives COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026 in Florence

Professor Annpurni Subramaniam, director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, has been awarded the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026 in Florence, Italy. This prestigious recognition honors her significant contributions to space research in developing countries. She is the first female scientist from India to receive this accolade, joining the ranks of notable Indian scientists previously honored with the medal. Discover more about her groundbreaking work and the significance of this award in the field of astrophysics.
By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 4, 2026, 16:29 IST

Recognition for Contributions to Space Research

Bengaluru, August 4 - Professor Annpurni Subramaniam, an esteemed astrophysicist, has been awarded the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026 in Florence, Italy. Currently serving as the director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru, she has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to space research in developing nations, as stated in a release from IIA on Tuesday.


The statement elaborated that this medal is awarded biannually by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in collaboration with the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) in honor of the renowned scientist Vikram Sarabhai. Professor Subramaniam received this accolade for her work on stellar population classification in the Milky Way, blue straggler stars—unusually hot, blue, and bright stars found in older star clusters—and her contributions to future telescopes like UVIIT/AstroSat and HDSR. The award was presented during the 46th COSPAR General Assembly held in Florence on Monday.


Expressing her joy on social media platform X, Professor Subramaniam remarked, 'I am thrilled to receive the Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026 in Florence.' She is the fourth Indian and the first female scientist from the country to receive this honor.


Previous Indian recipients of this medal include former ISRO chairman U.R. Rao (1996), renowned physicist Gurbakhsh Singh Lakhina for his work in space plasma and weather (2014), and Professor Anil Bhardwaj, director of the Physical Research Laboratory (2024).