Honouring the ‘signs and science’ of brilliance: Six trailblazing researchers receive Infosys Prize 2025

Bengaluru: “Research is the only way to make India a better nation,” said Infosys Founder N. R. Narayana Murthy, as the Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2025 — six brilliant young minds whose work is transforming the frontiers of science, technology, and thought.

“Science and research are not luxuries,” Murthy added, saying “they are necessities for human survival, dignity, and progress.”

His words set the tone for a celebration that reaffirmed India’s rising power in global research and innovation.

Now in its 17th year, the Infosys Prize remains one of India’s most prestigious recognitions for research excellence, celebrating pathbreaking contributions that impact lives and expand knowledge.

For 2025, all six laureates are under 40 — a deliberate move by the Foundation to encourage young scientists and thinkers to shape the world’s future.

Each laureate receives a gold medal, a citation, and USD 100,000 (approximately ₹83 lakh). The winners span six disciplines: Economics, Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.

Who they are

Economics

Nikhil Agarwal (MIT) — For pioneering work in market design and empirical studies that refine systems like school choice and kidney exchanges, improving how resources and opportunities are distributed fairly and efficiently.

Engineering and Computer Science

Sushant Sachdeva (University of Toronto) — For groundbreaking contributions to mathematical optimisation and the theory of algorithms, making computation faster, more efficient, and transformative for real-world applications.

Humanities and Social Sciences

Andrew Ollett (University of Chicago) — For his exceptional scholarship on Prakrit languages, reviving their literary and cultural heritage and deepening understanding of India’s intellectual history.

Life Sciences

Anjana Badrinarayanan (NCBS, Bengaluru) — For revealing vital mechanisms of DNA repair and genome maintenance, research that could lead to better understanding of genetic diseases and cellular resilience.

Mathematical Sciences

Sabyasachi Mukherjee (TIFR, Mumbai) — For connecting complex dynamics and Kleinian group theory, reshaping modern understanding of conformal dynamics, a field bridging geometry and complex analysis.

Physical Sciences

Karthish Manthiram (Caltech) — For pioneering sustainable electrochemical methods that could revolutionise chemical manufacturing and reduce global dependence on fossil-fuel-based processes.

Championing young talent, fuelling global relevance

For the first time, the Infosys Prize has exclusively honoured researchers under 40, reflecting the Foundation’s renewed focus on nurturing young excellence early. “This change is intended to identify promising talent at a formative stage,” said K. Dinesh, President of the ISF Board of Trustees.

He added, “The achievements of these six winners reflect the vital connection between research, science, and society. Their work not only enriches academic knowledge but inspires the next generation to innovate fearlessly.”

A legacy of impact

Since its inception in 2009, the Infosys Prize has become a beacon of intellectual excellence, honouring individuals whose work has global resonance.

Many past laureates have gone on to win Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, and Breakthrough Prizes, or earned election to the Royal Society — among them, Gagandeep Kang, the first Indian woman Fellow of the Royal Society.

The Jury Chairs for 2025 included some of the world’s leading thinkers — Prof. Kaushik Basu, Prof. Jayathi Murthy, Prof. Akeel Bilgrami, Prof. Mriganka Sur, Prof. Chandrashekhar Khare, and Prof. Shrinivas Kulkarni.

Empowering a scientific nation

Announcing the winners, the ISF Trustees — N.R. Narayana Murthy, K. Dinesh, S.D. Shibulal, Kris Gopalakrishnan, Srinath Batni, and Pratima Murthy — emphasised that India’s transformation into a knowledge-driven economy depends on sustained investment in science and education.

Trustees Nandan Nilekani, Mohandas Pai, and Salil Parekh also extended congratulations, lauding the laureates for shaping the nation’s scientific future.