Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Mahesh Kakde Becomes Fifth Indian to Win Ramanujan Prize
Mahesh Kakde is a mathematician who teaches at the Indian Institute of Science.
He received the 2026 Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians.
The prize is for mathematicians under 40 from developing economies who have made important contributions.
Kakde studies algebraic number theory, which looks for patterns and connections involving numbers.
His research includes Iwasawa theory, which studies how mathematical patterns change in more complicated systems.
He studied at the Indian Institute of Science and later earned advanced degrees at the University of Cambridge.
He is the fifth Indian to receive the prize.
Four Indian mathematicians received it before him.
Mahesh Kakde, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science, received the 2026 Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians on September 30.
The award recognizes mathematicians under 40 from developing economies for outstanding contributions to mathematics.
Kakde was recognized for work in algebraic number theory, including research involving Iwasawa theory.
He studied at the Indian Institute of Science before pursuing a master's degree and PhD in pure mathematics at the University of Cambridge.
Kakde is the fifth Indian recipient; earlier Indian winners were Sujatha Ramdorai, Amalendu Krishna, Ritabrata Munshi and Neena Gupta.
- Who
- Mahesh Kakde, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science.
- What
- He received the 2026 Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians.
- When
- September 30, 2026.
- Where
- The article reports the award in New Delhi; it does not specify where the presentation took place.
- Why
- His work in algebraic number theory was recognized.
- Award
- 2026 Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians
- Recipient
- Mahesh Kakde
- Award date
- September 30, 2026
- Recognized work
- Algebraic number theory, including Iwasawa theory
- Prize amount
- US$10,000
- Indian recipients before Kakde
- Sujatha Ramdorai, Amalendu Krishna, Ritabrata Munshi and Neena Gupta
- Award established
- 2005