IISc professor Mahesh Kakde wins 2026 Ramanujan Prize for number theory work

IISc professor Mahesh Kakde has won the 2026 Ramanujan Prize for his work in number theory, one of the highest honours for young mathematicians from developing countries.
The prize recognises outstanding contributions by researchers under 45 from developing countries — and Kakde's number-theory work has placed him among the field's most respected names.
It is a feather in the cap for the Indian Institute of Science, whose mathematics department continues to punch well above its weight on the global stage.
For students watching at home, the message is simple: deep, patient work on abstract problems still gets the world's attention.
