Gandhi Peace Prize Recipients
Current Affairs & Government Schemes › Awards, Honours and International Recognitions · Topic 22.6
The Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual international award of the Government of India, instituted in 1995 on the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and run by the Ministry of Culture, to honour contributions to social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods. It is open to all persons irrespective of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or sex, and carries Rs 1 crore, a scroll, a plaque and a handicraft. A jury headed by the Prime Minister chooses the awardee. The most recent award confirmed in official-linked reports is the 2021 prize to Gita Press, Gorakhpur, announced in June 2023.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Current Affairs & Government Schemes · Awards, Honours and International Recognitions
At a Glance
- Instituted 1995, 125th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
- Ministry Culture
- Prize Rs 1 crore, scroll, plaque, handicraft
- 2021 award Gita Press, Gorakhpur, announced June 2023
- 2020 and 2019 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sultan Qaboos
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Current Affairs and Government Schemes: Awards, Honours and International Recognitions
Where Does It Fit?
This topic covers an Indian award with international reach. It must be kept apart from the Nobel Peace Prize and the Indira Gandhi Prize, which UPSC often places side by side in options. Previous topic: Jnanpith Award and Sahitya Akademi Award Winners. Next topic: International Booker Prize and Other Literary Recognitions for Indian-Origin Authors.
What Are the Rules of the Gandhi Peace Prize?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Start | Instituted by the Government of India in 1995 to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi |
| Purpose | To recognise work for social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and Gandhian methods |
| Who can win | Individuals, institutions and organisations, of any nationality, race, language, caste, creed or sex |
| Prize | Rs 1 crore, a scroll, a plaque and a traditional handicraft or handloom item. Awardees can decline the cash |
| Jury | A jury headed by the Prime Minister with the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India and other eminent persons, as described in official guidance |
| Ministry | The Ministry of Culture administers it |
Who Are the Recipients?
- Early awardees: Julius Nyerere of Tanzania in 1995, Ramakrishna Mission in 1998, Baba Amte in 1999 and Nelson Mandela with Grameen Bank in 2000
- Indian institutions: ISRO in 2014, Vivekananda Kendra in 2015, and Akshaya Patra Foundation and Sulabh International in 2016
- 2017 and 2018: Ekal Abhiyan Trust in 2017 and Yohei Sasakawa of Japan in 2018, for work against leprosy
- 2019 and 2020: Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said of Oman for 2019 and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of Bangladesh for 2020
- 2021: Gita Press, Gorakhpur, announced on 18 June 2023, for its work in spreading Gandhian ideals through publications, as the Ministry stated. The press declined the cash prize
What Else Should You Remember?
- Latest status: no later award could be confirmed from official sources in the search done for this page, so Gita Press stands as the latest confirmed award. One media report of an award to a country in January 2025 could not be verified and should be ignored
- Controversy over Gita Press: the 2023 decision drew criticism from some political leaders, who cited the press’s past positions, while supporters pointed to its publishing work
- Indira Gandhi Prize: a different award, the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, is run by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. Michelle Bachelet got the 2024 prize, presented in November 2025, and Graca Machel was named for 2025, as reported
- Nobel Peace Prize: the Nobel Peace Prize is given by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, as in Nobel Prize Winners of the Year (Peace, Economics, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature)
- Gap in awards: the award has been announced irregularly in some years, with some years skipped, which is a common observation
- Link to Asian award: for an Asian service award see Ramon Magsaysay Award Recipients
- Link to civilian honours: for national honours see Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards (Recent Recipients)
- Gandhian ideas: the prize reflects Gandhi’s ideas of non-violence, trusteeship and constructive work
- Criticism: critics note that some choices have been political and that the award has been less visible than the Nobel
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Year and body: 1995 and the Ministry of Culture
- Recent winners: Gita Press for 2021, Mujibur Rahman for 2020 and Qaboos for 2019
- Prize: Rs 1 crore and a plaque
- Jury: Prime Minister as head
- Common errors: confusing it with the Indira Gandhi Prize or saying the Nobel Committee awards it
As an analytical point, the prize is a tool of soft power and also a statement of Gandhian values. Its credibility rests on regular announcement, a transparent jury and a choice that speaks to non-violent change.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Facts Origin and prize
- Winners Recent recipients
- Traps Similar prizes
What Came Next?
The next topic covers literary prizes won by authors of Indian origin abroad. Next topic: International Booker Prize and Other Literary Recognitions for Indian-Origin Authors.
Key People and Terms
- Gandhi Peace Prize Indian government peace award
- Satyagraha Gandhian non-violent resistance
- Trusteeship Gandhian view on wealth
- Jury Selection panel
- Soft power Influence through values
- Sarvodaya Welfare of all
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Instituted: 1995; Ministry of Culture.
- Prize: Rs 1 crore.
- 2021 award: Gita Press (announced June 2023).
- 2020: Mujibur Rahman; 2019: Sultan Qaboos.
- Jury headed by the Prime Minister.
Do Not Confuse With
- Gandhi Peace Prize and Indira Gandhi Prize Government award versus trust award
- Gandhi Peace Prize and Nobel Peace Prize Indian versus Norwegian award
- Gandhi Peace Prize and Magsaysay Award Indian award versus Asian award
Memory Hook
Gandhi prize from the Culture Ministry, Indira prize from the Trust.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about Gandhian values and soft power. These points help.
- Values Non-violence and constructive work
- Soft power Global reach
- Concerns Credibility and regularity
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Examine how awards like the Gandhi Peace Prize contribute to India’s soft power and what makes such awards credible.”
How to Answer
- Award Describe the prize.
- Soft power Global recipients.
- Credibility Jury and regularity.
- Way Transparent process.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gandhi Peace Prize?
The Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual international award of the Government of India, instituted in 1995 on the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. It honours work for social, economic and political change through non-violence, carries Rs 1 crore and a plaque, and is run by the Ministry of Culture.
Who got the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021?
Gita Press, Gorakhpur, was announced as the winner of the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 on 18 June 2023, for its work in spreading Gandhian ideals through publishing. The institution declined the cash prize of Rs 1 crore, as its policy is not to accept donations, and the decision drew criticism from some leaders.
Who won the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2019 and 2020?
Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said of Oman won the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2019, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of Bangladesh won it for 2020. Both awards were announced together in March 2021, and the prize for 2020 was given posthumously because Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated in 1975.
What is the latest Gandhi Peace Prize?
The latest award confirmed in the sources checked is the 2021 prize to Gita Press, Gorakhpur, announced in June 2023. No later announcement could be verified from official sources, so readers should check the Ministry of Culture and PIB for any newer award before relying on this.
How is the Gandhi Peace Prize different from the Indira Gandhi Prize?
The Gandhi Peace Prize is a government award by the Ministry of Culture, instituted in 1995 and carrying Rs 1 crore. The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is given by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, and Michelle Bachelet received the 2024 prize while Graca Machel was named for 2025.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Gandhi Peace Prize was instituted in 1995.
On the 125th anniversary of Gandhi.
2 Gita Press was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021.
Announced in June 2023.
3 The Gandhi Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
The Government of India awards it.
4 Sultan Qaboos won the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2019.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won for 2020.
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