India's Participation in the SKA Observatory
The SKA Observatory (SKAO) is a next-generation radio astronomy-driven Big Data facility that will revolutionise our understanding of the Universe and the laws of fundamental physics. Enabled by cutting-edge technology, it promises to have a major impact on society, in science and beyond.
It is an intergovernmental organisation uniting nations worldwide with a mission to build and operate state-of-the-art radio telescopes. The observatory comprises the SKAO Global Headquarters in the UK, two telescopes at radio-quiet sites in South Africa and Australia, and associated facilities to support telescope operations. Once operational, SKAO will function as a single global observatory, managing two telescopes across three continents on behalf of its member States and partners.
For more details, please visit the SKAO website.
India has a rich tradition in radio astronomy research, making it a natural and active participant in the SKA endeavour since its inception. In the early 1990s, the radio astronomy group in India, led by Prof. Govind Swarup, proposed one of the first concepts for a large radio observatory comparable to the SKA. This initiative underscored India's commitment to contributing to the development of next-generation radio astronomy facilities.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Indian researchers actively engaged in refining the SKA science case and advancing early technological developments. When the SKA Organisation was established in 2012, India joined as an Associate Member and subsequently became a Full Member in October 2015.
Between 2015 and 2016, the Government of India participated in negotiating the SKA Observatory Convention and was actively involved in the preparatory activities that led to the formation of the SKAO as an intergovernmental organisation in early 2021. In early 2022, India moved closer to full membership in the SKAO by signing a cooperation arrangement.
In January 2024, the Government of India approved the country's participation in the construction of the SKA telescopes, paving the way for India to become a full member of the SKAO.
India formally joined the SKAO Council as a member in July 2024, upon signing and ratifying the founding document, the Convention Establishing the SKAO. An event was held in Pune in November 2024 to celebrate this joining.