Union Budget: FM reaches for the stars, boosts astronomy research –

Pune/Bengaluru: Pune/Bengaluru: India’s increasing contributions to astronomy research appear to have prompted a major policy and funding push from the Centre, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing support for four key projects in Sunday’s Budget.The initiatives — the National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), the National Large Infrared Optical Telescope (NLOT), the modernization of the Chandra Himalayan Telescope (HCT), and the COSMOS-2 Planetarium — aim to enhance research capacity and science outreach.

In her speech, Sitharaman said that the center will upgrade or establish these facilities “to enhance astrophysics and astronomy through immersive experiences.”

While individual allocations are not detailed, the budget provides Rs 1,623.8 crore to assist autonomous bodies, including the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru. Professor Annapurni Subramaniam, director of IIA, told TOI that the institute will implement the projects.Scientists from the Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) and the National Center for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) said the announcement could significantly enhance India’s ability to conduct frontline research domestically, reducing dependence on external observatories.

Improving access to world-class facilities would encourage students to pursue advanced research in India, while attracting global collaboration and retaining young talent, they said.The NLST will be located near Pangong Lake in Ladakh, which the IIA has identified as an ideal high-altitude location. Designed as a 2-meter-class optical and near-infrared instrument, it will study the Sun’s magnetic fields and the processes that cause solar flares and coronal mass ejections.The NLOT, as outlined by the IIA, will be a larger 10-12 meter facility in Hanle, Ladakh. Hanle has emerged as a major astronomy site in India and the budget proposes to upgrade HCT to expand its capabilities.