The Nobel Prize stands as one of humanity’s highest honours, recognising individuals whose ideas, courage, and discoveries have reshaped how the world understands science, society, literature, peace, and economic justice. Established through the will of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, the prize celebrates work that transcends borders and generations.
India’s relationship with the Nobel Prize is both inspiring and complex. While figures such as Mahatma Gandhi were never awarded the honour, a remarkable group of thinkers, scientists, writers, and humanitarians—born in India or of Indian origin—have left an indelible mark on global history. Their achievements reflect not only personal brilliance but also the depth and diversity of Indian intellectual and moral traditions.
Here are 10 Indian and Indian-origin Nobel Laureates whose contributions continue to shape the modern world.
1. Rabindranath Tagore
Nobel Prize in Literature, 1913
Rabindranath Tagore became the first non-European Nobel laureate in Literature, introducing the Western world to the philosophical depth of Indian thought. His poetry dissolved boundaries—between nations, cultures, and the spiritual and the human.
“Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls,”
he wrote, articulating a universal longing for freedom and truth. Tagore’s work blended lyricism, mysticism, and quiet rebellion, redefining global literature.
2. C V Raman
Nobel Prize in Physics, 1930
A fleeting interaction between light and matter led to a permanent scientific legacy. C V Raman discovered the Raman Effect, explaining how light scatters when passing through substances—a phenomenon fundamental to modern physics and chemistry. His work placed Indian science firmly on the global map.
3. Har Gobind Khorana
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 1968
Born in Raipur, Khorana decoded how genetic information controls protein synthesis, unlocking the language of life itself. Sharing the prize with Robert W. Holley and Marshall W. Nirenberg, his work laid the foundation for modern genetics and biotechnology.
4. Mother Teresa
Nobel Peace Prize, 1979
An Albanian-born nun who became an Indian citizen, Mother Teresa was honoured for her unwavering service to the poorest of the poor. In the slums of Kolkata, she transformed compassion into action, offering dignity and care where society offered none.
5. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Nobel Prize in Physics, 1983
Born in Lahore in British India, Chandrasekhar revolutionised astrophysics by explaining how stars evolve and collapse into black holes. His work reshaped humanity’s understanding of the universe, earning him a shared Nobel with William A. Fowler.
6. Amartya Sen
Nobel Prize in Economics, 1998
Amartya Sen challenged the idea that development is measured by income alone. Instead, he argued that freedom, health, education, and dignity define true progress. Raised in Santiniketan, Sen’s work transformed global welfare economics and human development policy.
7. V S Naipaul
Nobel Prize in Literature, 2001
Born in Trinidad to Indian-origin parents, Naipaul was honoured for illuminating suppressed histories through uncompromising narrative clarity. Over five decades, his fiction and nonfiction explored identity, colonialism, and displacement with piercing insight.
8. Kailash Satyarthi
Nobel Peace Prize, 2014
A tireless crusader against child labour, Satyarthi devoted his life to rescuing children from exploitation and restoring their right to education. Born in Vidisha, his grassroots activism freed thousands of children and reshaped global conversations on child rights.
9. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 2009
Born in Chidambaram, Ramakrishnan revealed the atomic structure of the ribosome—the cell’s protein factory. His discovery revolutionised molecular biology and deepened understanding of how life functions at its most fundamental level.
10. Abhijit Banerjee
Nobel Prize in Economics, 2019
A Mumbai-born economist, Banerjee reshaped development economics by championing evidence-based solutions to poverty. His research focused on what truly works in improving lives—turning data into real-world impact across developing nations.
A Legacy Beyond Awards
Together, these laureates represent a sweeping narrative—from poetry and peace to particles and poverty. Their achievements underscore India’s enduring contribution to global knowledge and moral leadership.
While history still debates the absence of Mahatma Gandhi from the Nobel list, the legacy of these 10 laureates stands as proof that Indian and Indian-origin minds have profoundly shaped the modern world—through words, wisdom, science, and compassion.
