Madhav Gadgil Age, Wiki and Bio

Madhav Gadgil

Quick Info

ProfessionEcologist
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth24/05/1942
Age83 years (died on 07, Jan, 2026)
BirthplacePune, Bombay Province, British India (now Pune, Maharashtra, India)
Date of Death07/01/2026

Bio/Wiki

Full NameMadhav Dhananjaya Gadgil

Physical Stats & More

Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorGrey

Educational Qualification(s)

Degrees
  • B.Sc. in Biology from Fergusson College
  • Master's degree in Zoology from the University of Mumbai
  • Ph.D. in Mathematical Ecology from Harvard University
Colleges/Universities
  • Fergusson College, Pune
  • University of Mumbai
  • Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Personal Life

HometownPune
Zodiac signGemini

Relationships & More

Marital StatusWidower

Family

FatherDhananjay Ramchandra Gadgil (economist, deceased)
MotherPramila (deceased)
Siblings2 Brothers (Ajit, Purshottam), 1 Sister (Sulabha)
SpouseSulochana Gadgil (meteorologist, passed away in 2025)
ChildrenSon - Siddhartha Gadgil (mathematician), Daughter - (Journalist cum Spanish teacher)
Grandchildren2 Granddaughters (Tara, Revati)

Career

OverviewGadgil made significant contributions to ecology, academic institutions, and environmental policy in India. After completing his education, he joined Harvard University, where his interests shifted towards ecology under influential lectures. Returning to India, he contributed for over three decades at the Indian Institute of Science and engaged in various significant ecological and scientific initiatives, including the establishment of biosphere reserves and contributing to environmental education.
Awards, Honours, Achievements
  • 1981: Padma Shri by the Government of India
  • 1983: Honoured with Rajyotsava Prashasti by the Government of Karnataka
  • 1984: Elected Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA)
  • 1986: Received Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for contributions to science and technology
  • 1990: Elected Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Sciences, India
  • 1991: Elected Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences
  • 2002: Conferred Harvard Centennial Medal by Harvard University
  • 2003: Volvo Environment Prize (shared with Muhammad Yunus)
  • 2006: Padma Bhushan by the Government of India
  • 2007: H. K. Firodia Award from the H. K. Firodia Foundation
  • 2013: Conferred Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by the Central University of Orissa
  • 2014: Received the Georgescu-Roegen Award from TERI
  • 2015: Awarded the John and Alice Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement (shared with Jane Lubchenco)
  • 2019: Honoured with Fergusson Gaurav Puraskar as Outstanding Alumnus of Fergusson College
  • 2024: Awarded Champions of the Earth by the United Nations

Some Lesser Known Facts

Gadgil grew up in Pune and showed an early interest in writing, publishing ten articles on animal behavior in a Marathi science magazine while in high school.
He set a record in high jump during his college years and represented Pune University in athletics.
Met his future wife, Sulochana Gadgil, during his college days, who later became a meteorologist.
Initially planned to work with an influential figure at Harvard, but his focus shifted to ecology after attending lectures by E. O. Wilson.
Returned to India in 1971 to promote ecological studies and policy, including significant assessments of Karnataka's bamboo resources.
He played a pivotal role in establishing India’s first biosphere reserve and served on various national committees influencing environmental policy.
Authored several significant books and contributed to numerous academic and public columns.