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{{Short description|Indian physicist (1926–2017)}}
{{for|the revolutionary and author|Yashpal}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox scientist
| name = Yash Pal
| image = Prof. Yash Pal.jpg
| image_size = 220px
| caption = Prof. Yash Pal at the inauguration of the IUCAA Girawali Observatory in 2006
| birth_name = Yash Pal
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1926|11|26}}
| birth_place = [[Jhang]], [[British India]] (now in [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], Pakistan)
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2017|07|24|1926|11|26|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Noida]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], India
| citizenship = Indian
| fields = [[Physics]], [[Astrophysics]]
| workplaces = [[TIFR, Mumbai]], [[Space Applications Centre]], Ahmedabad, [[University Grants Commission (India)]]
| alma_mater =
* [[University of the Punjab]]
* [[Panjab University, Chandigarh]]
* [[MIT]]
| doctoral_advisor = [[Bruno Rossi]]
| academic_advisors =
| doctoral_students =
| notable_students =
| known_for = Space science, Education, Television anchor, Public Outreach
| awards = [[Padma Vibhushan]] {{small|(2013)}} [[Padma Bhushan]] {{small|(1976)}} [[Marconi Prize]] {{small|(1980)}} [[Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award]] [[Kalinga Prize|Kalinga Award]] {{small|(2009)}}
| signature =
| footnotes = 
| religion =
}}
'''Yash Pal ''' (26 November 1926 – 24 July 2017) was an Indian scientist, educator and educationist. He was known for his contributions to the study of cosmic rays, as well as for being an institution-builder. In his later years, he became one of the leading science communicators of the country.

Starting his career at [[Tata Institute of Fundamental Research]] (TIFR), he later remained Chairman of the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]] from 1986 to 1991. In 2013, he was awarded India's second highest civilian honour, the [[Padma Vibhushan]].

== Early life ==
Yash Pal was born in 1926 in [[Jhang]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province]], [[British India]], now in [[Pakistan]].<ref name=eis.iita>{{cite web|title=Prof. Yash Pal|url=http://eis.iiita.ac.in/profile/profyashpal.pdf|access-date=2 April 2013}}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
The town Jhang was also the place of birth of Yash Pal's contemporary, [[Abdus Salam]], the renowned [[theoretical physicist]] and the only Pakistani Physics [[Nobel laureate]].<ref name="frontline_201708">{{Cite news|url=http://www.frontline.in/other/obituary/for-the-love-of-science/article9796443.ece|title=For the love of science|last=JAYAN|first=T. V.|date=2017-08-02|work=Frontline|access-date=2017-11-28|language=en}}</ref>
He had a peaceful life in the town of [[Quetta]] with his parents until the disastrous [[1935 Quetta earthquake]] (the deadliest earthquake in South Asia until 2005 with over 60,000 casualties) when young Yash Pal and his siblings (a brother and a sister) were rescued from beneath the remains of the buildings that were razed down to ground. Since the town was recovering and being rebuilt, he could not attend school for a year.<ref name="frontline_201708" /><ref name="indiatoday_201707">{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/yash-pal-dies-scientist-educationist-cosmic-rays-space-research-doordarshan-show-1026158-2017-07-25|title=RIP Yash Pal, the scientist who brought science to the masses|last=Web Desk|first=India Today|date=2017-07-25|work=India Today|access-date=2020-06-16|language=en}}</ref>
He was raised in [[Kaithal district]], [[Haryana]].<ref name="indiatoday_201707" />

===Education===
During 1945–1947, he studied for BSc Honours in Physics at the [[Lahore]] campus of the undivided [[University of the Punjab]], where he also participated in the Students Union at Lahore as a [[student activist]]. As he was entering the final year of BSc in 1947, his studies were disrupted once again due to [[Partition of India|partition]]. He was then visiting Delhi due to his father's job transfer and could not return to Lahore to resume his studies due to the riots that broke out after partition. Eventually, a group of students including Yash Pal and their teachers who had all migrated from Lahore, were able to convert some obsolete [[WW2]] army barracks in Delhi into operational classrooms, supported by [[Daulat Singh Kothari|Prof. D.S. Kothari]] (a professor of physics at [[Delhi University]]) among others.<ref name="frontline_201708"/>

During 1947–1949, he continued his studies in the [[Delhi]] campus of the newly carved up [[Panjab University]]. He received the MSc degree in Physics from [[Panjab University, Chandigarh|Panjab University]] in 1949.
Later on, he moved to [[Boston]], [[United States]] to pursue doctoral studies and obtained the [[PhD]] degree in [[Physics]] from the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] in 1958.<ref name="CV">''iiasa.ac.at'', [http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Admin/YSP/yssp2006/lecture-bgfiles/CV_Yash_Pal_18nov05.pdf "Yash Pal, CV"], 18 November 2005, retrieved 5 July 2008</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Distinguished Alumni| work = Panjab University Chandigarh| url = http://alumni.puchd.ac.in/distinguished-alumni.php| access-date = 2015-09-08| archive-date = 4 October 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111004174538/http://alumni.puchd.ac.in/distinguished-alumni.php| url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="ind_express_article_201707">{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/yash-pal-dies-at-90-a-philosopher-of-science-he-excelled-in-several-roles-4767269/|title=Yash Pal dies at 90: 'A philosopher of science, he excelled in several roles'|date=2017-07-26|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-11-28|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="frontline_201708"/>

== Career ==
Yash Pal started his career at the [[Tata Institute of Fundamental Research]] (TIFR), [[Bombay]] (now Mumbai), as a member of the Cosmic Rays group. He went to [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] for his [[PhD]] and returned to TIFR, where he remained until 1983.

In 1972, the Government of India set up its [[Department of Space]] and embarked on an independent space programme. Yash Pal took charge as the first Director of the newly set up [[Space Applications Centre]], Ahmedabad, in 1973. At the same time, he continued to be on the faculty of TIFR.

Yash Pal's administrative assignments at the government-level and beyond began with his appointment as the Secretary General of the Second United Nations Conference on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (1981–82). He held the posts of Chief Consultant, [[Planning Commission (India)|Planning Commission]] (1983–84) and Secretary, [[Department of Science and Technology (India)|Department of Science and Technology]] (1984–1986), after which he was appointed chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC) (1986–91).<ref>{{cite news |title=Create new global awareness: Yashpal |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/66226.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023021805/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/66226.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 October 2012 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=20 February 2006 |access-date=14 September 2011 }}</ref> During his tenure as UGC chairman, he advocated the setting up of Inter-University Centres funded by the UGC, on the model of the Nuclear Science Centre (now Inter-University Accelerator Centre), New Delhi. Institutions such as the [[Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics]] (IUCAA) emerged from this vision.

Pal was a member of UN Advisory Committee on Science and Technology for Development, Scientific Council, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste and Executive Committee and United Nations University,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/who-is-professor-yash-pal-4765885/|title=Who is Professor Yash Pal?|date=2017-07-25|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-07-25|language=en-US}}</ref> and he was Vice President of International Union of Pure and Applied Physics Indian National Science Academy in the year 1980–1981.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://insaindia.res.in/detail/N77-0891|title=INSA :: Indian Fellow Detail|website=insaindia.res.in|access-date=2017-07-25|archive-date=20 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220040503/https://insaindia.res.in/detail/N77-0891|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He was the Chancellor of [[Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi|Jawaharlal Nehru University]] (2007-2012).<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/renowned-scientist-yash-pal-passes-away/article19357340.ece|title=Renowned scientist Yash Pal passes away|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-07-25|language=en}}</ref>

=== Education ===
==== School education ====
Pal's involvement in school education dates back to the early 1970s, with the pathbreaking Hoshangabad Science Teaching Programme.<ref name=hstp>{{cite web|title=HSTP|url=http://eklavya.in/go/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=12&id=52&Itemid=74|publisher=NGO for Children – Eklavya|access-date=28 March 2013|archive-date=7 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707172128/https://eklavya.in/go/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=12&id=52&Itemid=74|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1993, the [[Ministry of Human Resource Development (India)|Ministry of Human Resource Development]] (MHRD), Government of India, set up a National Advisory Committee, with Yash Pal as chairman, to go into the issue of overburdening of school children. The report of the committee, entitled "Learning without Burden", is now regarded as a seminal document in Indian education.

When the [[National Council of Educational Research and Training]] embarked on the exercise of drawing up the [[National Curriculum Framework (NCF 2005)|National Curriculum Framework]], Pal was asked to chair its steering committee.<ref name=ncf>{{cite web|title=National Curriculum Framework 2005|url=http://www.ncert.nic.in/rightside/links/pdf/framework/english/nf2005.pdf|access-date=8 April 2013}}</ref> The Executive Summary of the NCF 2005 document states that the curriculum review exercise was undertaken "in the light of the report, ''Learning Without Burden'' (1993)".<ref name=ncf />

==== Higher education ====
Pal's role as UGC chairman has already been described above.

In 2009, the MHRD set up a Committee on Higher Education with Pal as the chairman, for examining reform of higher education in India.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yashpal committee suggests new apex body for higher education |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/18/stories/2009061855391100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622073243/http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/18/stories/2009061855391100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 June 2009 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=18 June 2009 |access-date=14 September 2011 }}</ref> In its report, the Committee laid emphasis on the idea of a university, and advocated a number of major structural changes. However, it is not clear whether the Government intends to take any action on the basis of the report.<ref name=TOI2012>{{cite news|last=Singh|first=Binay|title=Prof Yashpal laments non-implementation of report on higher education|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Prof-Yashpal-laments-non-implementation-of-report-on-higher-education/articleshow/16274363.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104085156/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-06/varanasi/33648940_1_education-sector-universities-higher-education|url-status=live|archive-date=4 November 2013|access-date=3 April 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=6 September 2012}}</ref>

He submitted a report on "Renovation and Rejuvenation of Higher Education in India" to the Ministry of Human Resource Development on 24 June 2009. He filed the case, ''Prof. Yashpal & Anr vs State of Chhattisgarh & Ors'' in the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] against a law, ''Chhattisgarh Niji Kshetra Vishwavidyalaya (Sthapana Aur Viniyaman) Adhiniyam, 2002'' which is used to establish universities without regulatory approvals and necessary infrastructure. He won the case in February 2005 and 112 private universities formed under the said law in Chhattisgarh had to be closed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/564368/|title=Prof. Yashpal & Anr vs State Of Chhattisgarh & Ors on 11 February, 2005|website=indiankanoon.org|access-date=2017-07-25}}{{PD-notice}}</ref>

====Science communication====
Yash Pal is known for regular appearances on the science programme ''[[Turning Point (Doordarshan)|Turning Point]]'' telecast on ''[[Doordarshan]]'' and for explaining scientific concepts in layman's language,<ref>''vigyanprasar.gov.in'', [http://www.vigyanprasar.gov.in/Publication/newarrivals.asp Vigyan Praser Publications – New Arrivals"] (synopsis of a short biography), retrieved 5 July 2008</ref> along with participation on advisory boards for televised science programmes such as ''Bharat ki Chaap''.<ref name="CV"/>

For the English daily ''[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]'', he answered readers' science-related questions.

==Death==
He died due to old age related illnesses on 24 July 2017 in [[Noida]], [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Renowned Indian scientist Professor Yash Pal dead|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-scientist-professor-yash-pal-dead-4765884/|access-date=25 July 2017|work=The Indian Express|date=25 July 2017}}</ref>

==Views==
He was an atheist, and opposed belief in deities, astrology and religious rituals, dismissing them as unscientific.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://researchmatters.in/shots/fond-memory-those-we-lost-2017-dr-yash-pal|title=In fond memory of those we lost in 2017 : Dr. Yash Pal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312122428/https://researchmatters.in/shots/fond-memory-those-we-lost-2017-dr-yash-pal|archive-date=12 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Astrology-is-a-science-Bombay-HC/articleshow/7418795.cms|title=Astrology is a science: Bombay HC}}</ref>

==Awards and honours==
[[File:The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Vibhushan Award to Prof. Yash Pal at the Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on April 05, 2013.jpg|thumb|The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Vibhushan Award to Prof. Yash Pal at the Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on April 05, 2013]]
In 1976, the [[Government of India|Indian government]] awarded Pal the [[Padma Bhushan]] for his contribution to science and space technology.<ref name="CV"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Padma Awards Directory (1954–2013)|publisher=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]], Government of India|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf|pages=61, 168|quote=Prof. Yash Pal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf|archive-date=15 October 2015}} ()</ref> A fellow of [[Indian National Science Academy]],
Pal was made a [[Marconi Prize|Marconi Fellow]] in 1980 for his work at the [[Space Applications Centre]] in [[Ahmedabad, India|Ahmedabad]].<ref>''marconisociety.org'', [http://www.marconisociety.org/fellows_pal.html "The Marconi Fellows – Yash Pal"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613150933/http://marconisociety.org/fellows_pal.html |date=13 June 2008 }}, retrieved 5 July 2008</ref> In 2009, he received the Kalinga Prize, awarded by [[UNESCO]] for the popularisation of science.<ref name=hindu2009>{{cite news|title=Yash Pal selected for Kalinga Prize|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/04/stories/2009100453950300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105081334/http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/04/stories/2009100453950300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 November 2013|access-date=12 April 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=4 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Kalinga-winners: List of Laureates |work=UNESCO| url = http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/science-technology/sti-policy/global-focus/science-popularization/prizes/kalinga-prize/kalinga-winners/ | access-date = 2015-09-08 }}</ref> In October 2011 he was also awarded the [[Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award]] for excellence in public administration, academics and management.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/yash-pal-honoured-with-lal-bahadur-shastri-national-award/862643.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111018230031/http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/yash-pal-honoured-with-lal-bahadur-shastri-national-award/862643.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 18 October 2011 |title=Yash Pal honoured with Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award, IBN Live News |work=ibnlive.in.com |access-date=1 November 2011}}</ref>

He was the Chancellor of [[Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi|Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi]] from March 2007 to March 2012.

Pal was honoured with the [[Padma Bhushan]] (1976) and the [[Padma Vibhushan]] (2013), the third and second highest Indian civilian honours.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=91838|title= Padma Awards|publisher=pib|date= 29 January 2013 |access-date= 29 January 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2015 | access-date=21 July 2015 | archive-date=15 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Pal received the Indira Gandhi Prize for Popularization of Science (2000) and the Meghnad Saha Medal (2006) for his outstanding contribution to science.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://insaindia.res.in/recipients.php#abs|title=INSA :: Awards Recipients|website=insaindia.res.in|access-date=2017-07-25|archive-date=4 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804132620/http://insaindia.res.in/recipients.php#abs|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.teindia.nic.in/Files/Reports/CCR/Yash%20Pal_committe_report_lwb.pdf teindia.nic.in] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712192810/http://www.teindia.nic.in/Files/Reports/CCR/Yash%20Pal_committe_report_lwb.pdf |date=12 July 2017 }}

{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}
{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 1970–79}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pal, Yash}}
[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:2017 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian physicists]]
[[Category:People from Kaithal district]]
[[Category:Panjab University alumni]]
[[Category:MIT School of Science alumni]]
[[Category:Academic staff of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research]]
[[Category:Academic staff of Jawaharlal Nehru University]]
[[Category:Indian columnists]]
[[Category:Indian television presenters]]
[[Category:Space programme of India]]
[[Category:Indian space scientists]]
[[Category:Indian science communicators]]
[[Category:Indian technology writers]]
[[Category:Heads of universities and colleges in India]]
[[Category:Kalinga Prize recipients]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in science & engineering]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in science & engineering]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer in India]]
[[Category:University of the Punjab alumni]]

Yash Pal - Revision history

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