Indian astrophysicist Professor Annapurni Subramaniam has become the first Indian woman to receive the prestigious COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal. She received the 2026 honour during the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Florence, Italy.
The medal, awarded jointly by COSPAR and ISRO, recognises outstanding contributions to space research in developing countries. Subramaniam is the Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bengaluru and is the fourth Indian to receive the honour.
Her research focuses on stellar populations, star clusters, galaxies and ultraviolet astronomy. She also played a key role as calibration scientist for the Ultra-violet Imaging Telescope aboard India’s AstroSat mission.
The recognition adds another milestone to her career and highlights India’s growing contribution to global space science and astrophysics.
