Complete list of Nobel Prize winners from India with year, category and major contributions. Download PDF and learn important Nobel Prize facts for competitive exams.
India has produced some of the world’s most distinguished Nobel laureates in the fields of Literature, Physics, Medicine, Economics and Peace. The achievements of these personalities are important for UPSC, SSC, UPPSC, UPSSSC, Banking, Railway and other competitive examinations.
A common exam question is: Who was the first Indian to win a Nobel Prize? The answer is Rabindranath Tagore, who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.
Nobel Prize Winners from India at a Glance
| Nobel Laureate | Year | Category | Main Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabindranath Tagore | 1913 | Literature | Gitanjali |
| C. V. Raman | 1930 | Physics | Raman Effect |
| Har Gobind Khorana | 1968 | Physiology or Medicine | Interpretation of the genetic code |
| Mother Teresa | 1979 | Peace | Humanitarian work for the poor |
| Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar | 1983 | Physics | Structure and evolution of stars |
| Amartya Sen | 1998 | Economic Sciences | Welfare economics |
| Venkatraman Ramakrishnan | 2009 | Chemistry | Structure and function of the ribosome |
| Kailash Satyarthi | 2014 | Peace | Campaign against child labour and exploitation |
| Abhijit Banerjee | 2019 | Economic Sciences | Experimental approach to reducing global poverty |
Note: This list includes Nobel laureates who were born in India or are widely associated with India/Indian origin. Therefore, competitive examinations may sometimes distinguish between Indian citizens and persons of Indian origin.
1. Rabindranath Tagore – Nobel Prize in Literature, 1913
Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian and the first Asian Nobel laureate. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, mainly associated with his celebrated collection of poems, Gitanjali.
His Nobel recognition made him one of the most internationally known Indian literary figures of his time.
Important Facts:
- Nobel Prize: Literature
- Year: 1913
- Famous work: Gitanjali
- First Indian Nobel laureate
- First Asian Nobel laureate
The Nobel Prize records list his residence at the time of the award as India. (Nobel Prize)
2. Sir C. V. Raman – Nobel Prize in Physics, 1930
C. V. Raman, whose full name was Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
He was awarded for his work on the scattering of light and for the discovery of the phenomenon later known as the Raman Effect.
Important Facts:
- Nobel Prize: Physics
- Year: 1930
- Discovery: Raman Effect
- First Indian Nobel laureate in Science
28 February, the date associated with the discovery of the Raman Effect in 1928, is celebrated in India as National Science Day. The Nobel Prize was awarded while Raman was affiliated with Calcutta University. (Nobel Prize)
3. Har Gobind Khorana – Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 1968
Har Gobind Khorana was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1968.
He shared the prize with Robert W. Holley and Marshall W. Nirenberg for work relating to the interpretation of the genetic code and its role in protein synthesis.
Important Facts:
- Nobel Prize: Physiology or Medicine
- Year: 1968
- Field: Genetics and molecular biology
- Known for: Work on the genetic code
4. Mother Teresa – Nobel Peace Prize, 1979
Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian work and service to people suffering from poverty and hardship.
She founded the Missionaries of Charity and became internationally known for her work among the poor and destitute in Kolkata.
Important Facts:
- Nobel Prize: Peace
- Year: 1979
- Founded: Missionaries of Charity
- Worked extensively in: Kolkata, India
5. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar – Nobel Prize in Physics, 1983
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983.
He shared the prize with William A. Fowler. Chandrasekhar was recognised for theoretical studies concerning the structure and evolution of stars.
The famous Chandrasekhar Limit, an important concept in astrophysics, is named after him.
Important Facts:
- Nobel Prize: Physics
- Year: 1983
- Field: Astrophysics
- Famous concept: Chandrasekhar Limit
The Nobel Prize citation recognises his theoretical studies of physical processes important to the structure and evolution of stars. (Nobel Prize)
6. Amartya Sen – Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, 1998
Amartya Sen received the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel in 1998.
He was recognised for his contributions to welfare economics. His research has also made important contributions to the understanding of poverty, famine, inequality and social welfare.
Important Facts:
- Nobel Prize: Economic Sciences
- Year: 1998
- Main field: Welfare economics
- Born in: Santiniketan, India
Sen’s Nobel citation specifically recognised his contributions to welfare economics. (Nobel Prize)
7. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan – Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 2009
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009.
He shared the award with Thomas A. Steitz and Ada E. Yonath for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome.
The ribosome is an essential cellular structure involved in the production of proteins.
Important Facts:
- Nobel Prize: Chemistry
- Year: 2009
- Field: Structural biology
- Known for: Research on the ribosome
- Born in: Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India
His Nobel biography records his birth in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. (Nobel Prize)
8. Kailash Satyarthi – Nobel Peace Prize, 2014
Kailash Satyarthi received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 jointly with Malala Yousafzai.
He was recognised for his struggle against the exploitation of children and for the right of children to education.
Important Facts:
- Nobel Prize: Peace
- Year: 2014
- Shared with: Malala Yousafzai
- Known for: Campaign against child labour and child exploitation
- Founder: Bachpan Bachao Andolan
The Nobel Prize biography describes his long campaign for children’s rights and his work against child labour and exploitation. (Nobel Prize)
9. Abhijit Banerjee – Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, 2019
Abhijit Banerjee received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 2019.
He shared the award with Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty.
Their work used field experiments to study practical methods for addressing problems related to poverty, education and health.
Important Facts:
- Nobel Prize: Economic Sciences
- Year: 2019
- Shared with: Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer
- Born in: Mumbai, India
- Known for: Experimental approach to reducing global poverty
The Nobel Prize records list Banerjee as born in Mumbai and recognise the trio’s experimental approach to alleviating global poverty. (Nobel Prize)
Nobel Prize Winners from India by Category
Nobel Prize in Literature
- Rabindranath Tagore – 1913
Nobel Prize in Physics
- C. V. Raman – 1930
- Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar – 1983
Nobel Prize in Chemistry
- Venkatraman Ramakrishnan – 2009
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
- Har Gobind Khorana – 1968
Nobel Peace Prize
- Mother Teresa – 1979
- Kailash Satyarthi – 2014
Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences
- Amartya Sen – 1998
- Abhijit Banerjee – 2019
Important Nobel Prize Facts for Competitive Exams
- First Indian Nobel Prize winner: Rabindranath Tagore
- First Asian Nobel laureate: Rabindranath Tagore
- First Indian Nobel laureate in Science: C. V. Raman
- First Indian to win Nobel Prize in Physics: C. V. Raman
- First Indian Nobel laureate in Economics: Amartya Sen
- First Indian Nobel Peace Prize winner: Mother Teresa
- Indian Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2014: Kailash Satyarthi
- Nobel Prize winner associated with the Raman Effect: C. V. Raman
- Nobel laureate associated with the Chandrasekhar Limit: Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
- Nobel laureate associated with Gitanjali: Rabindranath Tagore
- Nobel laureate known for work on the genetic code: Har Gobind Khorana
- Nobel laureate known for ribosome research: Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
- Nobel laureate associated with welfare economics: Amartya Sen
- Nobel laureate associated with experimental research on poverty: Abhijit Banerjee
- Indian Nobel Peace Prize winner known for Bachpan Bachao Andolan: Kailash Satyarthi
Conclusion
The Nobel laureates connected with India have made remarkable contributions to literature, science, economics, medicine and peace. From Rabindranath Tagore’s historic achievement in 1913 to Abhijit Banerjee’s work on global poverty, their achievements form an important part of Indian general knowledge.
For competitive examinations, candidates should particularly remember the combination of Name + Year + Nobel Prize Category + Major Contribution.