Six Recipients of the 2026 Infosys Science Foundation Prizes Announced

 

The Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) has selected six researchers for the prestigious ‘Infosys Prize 2026’ in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the fields of research and innovation. The awards were announced in Bengaluru on Thursday, November 12, 2026. The prizes have been awarded to researchers who have demonstrated exceptional achievement across six distinct categories: Economics, Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.

The Infosys Prize is considered one of the most distinguished awards in India. Its primary objective is to promote scientific research, academic excellence, and innovation. Through this initiative, the foundation honors researchers who have made significant contributions to the development of society and the future of science.

Six Outstanding Researchers Across Six Categories

Each of the six researchers selected for the Infosys Prize 2026 has made a substantial impact in their respective fields. They were chosen in recognition of their work in research, technology, scientific knowledge, and innovation.

Each prize consists of a gold medal, a citation, and a cash award of 100,000 US dollars (or its equivalent in Indian rupees). The winners were selected by a jury panel comprising renowned international scholars and experts.

1. Economics – Karthik Sastry

Karthik Sastry, an Associate Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University, has been awarded the Infosys Prize 2026 in the category of Economics. He received this honor for his research concerning climate change, technological innovation, and fluctuations within economic cycles. He has studied how society utilizes technology and innovation to address the challenges posed by climate change.

His research has yielded significant insights into the interconnections between economic development, environmental change, and technological advancement. His work could prove valuable in shaping future economic policies related to climate change.

2. Engineering and Computer Science – Swarun Kumar

Swarun Kumar, an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, has received the award in the field of Engineering and Computer Science. He has been recognized for his research on low-power wireless network technologies.

His research focuses on leveraging traditional wireless technology—moving beyond mere data transmission—to monitor, control, and interact with physical-world objects.By integrating wireless technology, computing systems, and modern algorithms, he has proposed novel approaches for developing connectivity and smart systems.

His research holds great potential for the future development of smart devices and advanced wireless technologies.

3. Humanities and Social Sciences – Gautam Bhatia

Gautam Bhatia, an Adjunct Professor at Jindal Global Law School and a 'Green Fellow' at the University of New South Wales in Australia, has been named the recipient of the award in the field of Humanities and Social Sciences.He has been selected for his notable contributions to legal research and academia.His research centers on the effective application of law to foster a just, equitable, and humane society.

He is the author of five books and has published numerous academic articles. In addition to law, his areas of study include sociology, political economy, political theory, and moral philosophy. Their work highlights the crucial role of law in ensuring equality, justice, and the protection of human rights within society.

4. Life Sciences – Isha Jain

Isha Jain, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of California, San Francisco, and an Associate Investigator at the Gladstone Institutes, has received the award in the field of Life Sciences. She has been recognized for her significant research on oxygen biology and mitochondrial diseases.

Her research has revealed that in certain mitochondrial diseases, tissue damage in the body is caused not only by a disruption in energy production but also by an excess of oxygen. This discovery has provided a new perspective for understanding certain serious metabolic disorders.Furthermore, she has contributed to research on developing small molecules that reduce oxygen levels, as well as vitamin-based therapeutic approaches for genetic metabolic diseases.Her research could prove instrumental in the development of new treatment methods in the future.

5. Mathematical Sciences – Riddhipratim Basu

Riddhipratim Basu, an Associate Professor at the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS) of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Bengaluru, has been named the recipient of the award in the field of Mathematical Sciences.He has been selected for his notable contributions to the fields of probability theory and statistical physics.

He has conducted research on several complex mathematical problems, including some that have long remained unsolved.

6. Physical Sciences – Manoj Kumar Joshi

Manoj Kumar Joshi, an experimental physicist and Assistant Professor at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), has won the award in the Physical Sciences category.

He was recognised for his pioneering research involving trapped ions and programmable quantum machines.

His work focuses on developing experimental systems that help scientists understand the behaviour of complex quantum systems. These developments are important for advancing quantum simulation and exploring possibilities beyond the capabilities of conventional computers.

Quantum computers and simulators have the potential to transform scientific research. They could help researchers understand complex materials, discover new chemical processes, and solve problems that are difficult for classical computers.

His contributions represent an important step towards making quantum technologies more practical and useful for future scientific discoveries.

 Increase in Applications for Infosys Prize 2026

This year, the Infosys Science Foundation received 222 applications across its six award categories, compared with 150 applications in the previous year.

According to ISF Trustee Kris Gopalakrishnan, the Engineering and Computer Science category received the highest number of applications. This reflects the growing interest in research related to technology, engineering, and computer science.

Another important highlight of this year's awards is the age of the recipients. The youngest winner is just 31 years old, demonstrating the increasing recognition of young researchers and emerging scientific talent.

The Infosys Science Foundation also highlighted its decision to focus on researchers below the age of 40, a policy introduced in 2024. The initiative aims to recognise exceptional talent early in researchers' careers and encourage them to explore new ideas.

ISF President Srinath Batni stated that recognising talented researchers at an early stage gives them the encouragement and opportunity to pursue ambitious research questions, challenge established ideas, and make meaningful contributions to their fields.

Importance of the Infosys Prize for India's Research Future

The Infosys Prize plays an important role in encouraging scientific research, academic excellence, and innovation. By recognising researchers across different disciplines, the foundation aims to create greater interest in scientific exploration and inspire the next generation of scholars.

Research in areas such as artificial intelligence, wireless communication, quantum computing, climate change, mathematics, and biotechnology is becoming increasingly important for global development.

The achievements of the six winners demonstrate how research in different fields can contribute to solving complex challenges and creating new opportunities for society.

The increase in applications from 150 to 222 also indicates growing participation and interest in the awards.

With its focus on young researchers and groundbreaking discoveries, the Infosys Science Foundation hopes to strengthen India's research environment and encourage scientists to pursue innovative ideas.

The Infosys Prize 2026 therefore celebrates not only the achievements of six outstanding researchers but also the importance of investing in knowledge, innovation, and scie

ntific progress for a better future.