Recent discussions of observational constraints on the standard hot big bang model are reviewed and it is argued that now there is room for considering alternative cosmologies. The quasi-steady state cosmology is briefly described. This model seems to explain most of the observed features of the universe, including the m-z relation, radio source count, the light nuclear abundances and the microwave background.

• JAYANT V. NARLIKAR(Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics)