Mahesh Kakde awarded Ramanujan Prize 2026 for mathematics

Mahesh Kakde, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, has been awarded the Ramanujan Prize 2026. The award is presented jointly by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and the International Mathematical Union (IMU) to recognize outstanding mathematical research by young scientists from developing nations.

Kakde was honored for his significant contributions to algebraic number theory, specifically his fundamental results in noncommutative Iwasawa theory and his work regarding the Gross-Stark and Brumer-Stark conjectures. His research has implications for Hilbert’s 12th problem, one of the 23 landmark mathematical challenges identified by David Hilbert in 1900.

Kakde’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Mathematics from the Indian Statistical Institute and a PhD in pure mathematics from the University of Cambridge. His previous professional roles include positions at Princeton University, University College London, and King’s College London before joining IISc in 2019. He is also a recipient of the 2022 Infosys Prize in Mathematical Sciences.