The Nobel Prize recognizes individuals and organizations for extraordinary contributions to science, peace, literature, and economics. The Nobel Prizes remain the world’s most prestigious international awards, established in accordance with the will of Alfred Nobel — the Swedish chemist, engineer, and inventor of dynamite — who wished to reward those bringing the “greatest benefit to mankind.”
About Nobel Prizes:
- First awarded: 1901
- Founder: Alfred Nobel (Sweden)
- Number of categories: 6 (Originally 5; Economics added in 1968)
- Awarded annually for: Achievements that advance human knowledge, peace, and welfare.
Each laureate receives:
- A Gold Medal (symbol of honor and contribution)
- A Diploma, signed by the awarding institution
- A Cash Prize (approx. 11 million Swedish kronor in 2023 ≈ USD 1 million)
Nobel Prize 2025- Categories & Awarding Institutions:
| Category | Purpose / Field of Recognition | Awarded By |
| Physics | Discoveries explaining natural laws and universe mechanics | The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences |
| Chemistry | Advancements improving chemical understanding and life quality | The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences |
| Physiology or Medicine | Discoveries enhancing medical knowledge and human health | The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet |
| Literature | Works enriching global literary heritage | The Swedish Academy |
| Peace | Efforts in promoting peace, resolving conflicts, and global harmony | The Norwegian Nobel Committee |
| Economic Sciences (added in 1968) | Contributions to economics and financial science | The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences |
Significance of Nobel Prize:
- Represents global recognition of excellence and service to humanity.
- Encourages innovation, creativity, and peacebuilding.
- Inspires future generations of scientists, writers, and peace advocates.
- Serves as a symbol of human progress and compassion.
Step-by-Step Nobel Selection Process:
- Nominations: Submitted by previous laureates, academicians, and select institutions.
- Evaluation: Expert committees review and assess all nominations.
- Decision: The Nobel Committees vote on final laureates.
- Announcement: Winners declared in October each year.
- Award Ceremony: Held on 10th December, marking Alfred Nobel’s death anniversary.
Nobel Laureates from India- Historical Overview:
| Year | Laureate | Category | Contribution / Work |
| 1913 | Rabindranath Tagore | Literature | Profoundly sensitive, humanistic poetry (“Gitanjali”) |
| 1930 | C.V. Raman | Physics | Discovery of the Raman Effect (light scattering) |
| 1968 | Har Gobind Khorana | Medicine | Decoding genetic code and protein synthesis |
| 1979 | Mother Teresa | Peace | Humanitarian service through Missionaries of Charity |
| 1983 | Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar | Physics | Theoretical studies on stellar evolution (white dwarfs) |
| 1998 | Amartya Sen | Economic Sciences | Welfare economics and social choice theory |
| 2009 | Venkatraman Ramakrishnan | Chemistry | Structure and function of the ribosome |
| 2014 | Kailash Satyarthi | Peace | Advocacy against child labor and for children’s rights |
| 2019 | Abhijit Banerjee | Economic Sciences | Experimental approach to global poverty reduction |
Nobel Peace Prize– Role and Relevance:
- Recognizes individuals or organizations advancing peace, conflict resolution, and humanitarian causes.
- Strengthens the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
Key Facts
- Headquarters of Nobel Foundation: Stockholm, Sweden
- Peace Prize awarded in: Oslo, Norway (by Norwegian Nobel Committee)
- First Nobel Laureate in the World: Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen (Physics, 1901)
- Nobel Prize for Economic Sciences (official name): Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel