Meet Annapurni Subramaniam, the Indian astrophysicist who became the first Indian woman to win the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal
Astrophysicist Annapurni Subramaniam has become the first Indian woman to receive the prestigious COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal. The award recognizes her significant contributions to space research and her leadership at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.
Why it matters
This achievement highlights India's growing influence in global space science and recognizes the contributions of women in STEM.
India’s space science community is celebrating a big event as Professor Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, has been awarded the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal for 2026. It is among the most prestigious international honours recognising outstanding contributions to space research in developing countries. Also, she became the first Indian woman to win this award during the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Florence, Italy, in August 2026.A significant honourIt’s a particularly significant honour for India because Subramaniam is the first Indian woman to receive the medal and only the fourth Indian overall. Before her, the Indian recipients wereU.R. Rao in 1996: Former ISRO chairmanGurbax Singh Lakhina in 2014: Space physicistAnil Bhardwaj in 2024: Physical Research Laboratory directorAbout COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai MedalThe COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal was established in 1958 to promote international scientific cooperation in space research.
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