International awards serve as benchmark of excellence recognizing outstanding achievements in various fields including science, literature, business, sports & humanitarian efforts. These prestigious honors not only celebrate individual & organizational accomplishments but also inspire future generations to strive for innovation & excellence.
In this blog APTI PLUS best coaching for UPSC explore significance of international awards, their impact on different sectors & some of notable global accolades across various domains.
Award Name |
Field |
Established |
Frequency |
Eligibility |
Selection Criteria |
Notable Recipients |
Impact |
Nobel Prize (Physics, Chemistry, Medicine) |
Science & Medicine |
1901 |
Annual |
Individuals & teams making significant discoveries |
Innovations with global impact, peer-reviewed research |
Albert Einstein (Physics), Marie Curie (Chemistry), Alexander Fleming (Medicine) |
Recognized as pinnacle of scientific achievement |
Turing Award |
Computer Science |
1966 |
Annual |
Researchers in computer science |
Contributions to theoretical & practical computing |
Tim Berners-Lee (World Wide Web), Alan Kay (Object-Oriented Programming) |
Known as "Nobel Prize of Computing" |
Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences |
Biotechnology & Medicine |
2012 |
Annual |
Researchers in biological sciences |
Innovative research in genetics, cell biology, & medicine |
Jennifer Doudna & Emmanuelle Charpentier (CRISPR) |
Largest cash award for life sciences |
Fields Medal |
Mathematics |
1936 |
Every 4 years |
Mathematicians under 40 |
Outstanding discoveries in mathematics |
Terence Tao, Maryam Mirzakhani |
The highest honor in mathematics |
Lasker Awards |
Medical Research |
1945 |
Annual |
Biomedical researchers |
Contributions that advance healthcare |
Anthony Fauci (Immunology), Katalin Karikó (mRNA) |
Many winners later receive Nobel Prize |
Wolf Prize |
Science & Mathematics |
1978 |
Annual |
Scientists worldwide |
Excellence in fundamental research |
Stephen Hawking (Physics), Edward Witten (Mathematics) |
Recognized as a precursor to Nobel Prize |
Templeton Prize |
Science & Spirituality |
1972 |
Annual |
Scientists, philosophers, theologians |
Advancing knowledge in science, spirituality, & meaning |
Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall |
One of highest honors for work at intersection of science & faith |
Award Name |
Field |
Established |
Frequency |
Eligibility |
Selection Criteria |
Notable Recipients |
Impact |
Nobel Prize in Literature |
Literature |
1901 |
Annual |
Writers of fiction, poetry, essays |
Body of work with lasting literary impact |
Ernest Hemingway, Gabriel García Márquez |
Honors authors shaping global literature |
Pulitzer Prize |
Journalism, Literature |
1917 |
Annual |
Journalists, novelists, poets |
Investigative reporting, fiction, poetry |
The Washington Post (Watergate), Toni Morrison (Fiction) |
Recognized as highest honor in journalism |
Man Booker Prize |
Fiction |
1969 |
Annual |
Authors writing in English |
Literary excellence & originality |
Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood |
Elevates authors to global prominence |
Fiction (Translation) |
2005 |
Annual |
Books translated into English |
Literary excellence of non-English books |
Olga Tokarczuk, Han Kang |
Recognizes global literary talent |
|
Golden Nica (Prix Ars Electronica) |
Digital Arts |
1987 |
Annual |
Digital & electronic artists |
Innovation in storytelling & technology |
AI-Generated Literature, Digital Pioneers |
Recognizes leaders in digital literature |
Award Name |
Field |
Established |
Frequency |
Eligibility |
Selection Criteria |
Notable Recipients |
Impact |
Academy Awards (Oscars) |
Film |
1929 |
Annual |
Filmmakers worldwide |
Best performances, direction, screenplay |
Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep |
Sets industry benchmarks for filmmaking |
Cannes Film Festival (Palme d'Or) |
Film |
1946 |
Annual |
Feature films |
Artistic excellence in storytelling |
Quentin Tarantino, Bong Joon-ho |
Recognized as most prestigious film festival |
BAFTA Awards |
Film & TV |
1947 |
Annual |
British & international films |
Technical & performance excellence |
Christopher Nolan, Olivia Colman |
UK’s equivalent of Oscars |
Grammy Awards |
Music |
1959 |
Annual |
Global musicians |
Excellence in music production & performance |
Beyoncé, The Beatles |
The highest honor in music |
Tony Awards |
Theater & Broadway |
1947 |
Annual |
Live theater actors & creators |
Best stage performances, directing, & design |
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lin-Manuel Miranda |
Recognizes Broadway excellence |
Award Name |
Field |
Established |
Frequency |
Eligibility |
Selection Criteria |
Notable Recipients |
Impact |
Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences |
Economics |
1968 |
Annual |
Economists |
Research transforming global policies |
Amartya Sen, Paul Krugman |
Shapes international economic thought |
Fortune 500 & Forbes Global 2000 |
Business Rankings |
1955 |
Annual |
Corporations worldwide |
Financial performance, market impact |
Apple, Tesla, Amazon |
Defines corporate success & global influence |
EY Entrepreneur of Year |
Business Leadership |
1986 |
Annual |
Entrepreneurs |
Vision, growth, & innovation |
Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos |
Honors top business visionaries |
UNCTAD Investment Promotion Awards |
Foreign Investment |
2002 |
Annual |
Investment agencies |
Success in attracting FDI |
Invest India, Singapore EDB |
Recognizes excellence in economic development |
Award Name |
Field |
Established |
Frequency |
Eligibility |
Selection Criteria |
Notable Recipients |
Impact |
Olympic Gold Medal |
Multi-Sport |
1896 |
Every 4 years |
Athletes worldwide |
Athletic performance |
Usain Bolt, Simone Biles |
The ultimate sports honor |
Ballon d’Or |
Football |
1956 |
Annual |
Football players |
Best performance in a season |
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo |
Most prestigious football award |
Laureus World Sports Awards |
Multi-Sport |
2000 |
Annual |
Athletes worldwide |
Sporting excellence & social impact |
Roger Federer, Serena Williams |
Recognizes top athletes globally |
6. Peace, Humanitarianism & Global Change Awards
Award Name |
Field |
Established |
Frequency |
Eligibility |
Selection Criteria |
Notable Recipients |
Impact |
Nobel Peace Prize |
Peace & Diplomacy |
1901 |
Annual |
Individuals & organizations |
Efforts in diplomacy, peace, & justice |
Martin Luther King Jr., Malala Yousafzai |
Recognized as highest honor for peace efforts |
Public Service & Leadership |
1957 |
Annual |
Leaders in public service & social work |
Transformational impact on society |
Mother Teresa, Arvind Kejriwal |
Known as "Asia’s Nobel Prize" |
|
Right Livelihood Award |
Human Rights & Sustainability |
1980 |
Annual |
Activists & NGOs |
Grassroots solutions for global problems |
Greta Thunberg, Amnesty International |
Known as "Alternative Nobel Prize" |
Earthshot Prize |
Environmental Innovation |
2020 |
Annual |
Sustainability innovators |
Solutions tackling climate change |
Climate Scientists & Eco-Tech Innovators |
Funds environmental solutions globally |
APTI PLUS IAS Academy in Kolkata renowned for its comprehensive & tailored coaching approach provides below the list of winners of major awards that will equip aspirants with the knowledge needed to excel in UPSC exam.
Category |
Winner |
Film |
Best Picture |
Anora |
- |
Best Director |
Sean Baker |
Anora |
Best Actor |
Adrien Brody |
The Brutalist |
Best Actress |
Mikey Madison |
Anora |
Best Supporting Actor |
Kieran Culkin |
A Real Pain |
Best Supporting Actress |
Zoe Saldaña |
Emilia Pérez |
Category |
Winner |
Film |
Best Picture |
Oppenheimer |
Christopher Nolan |
Best Director |
Christopher Nolan |
Oppenheimer |
Best Actor |
Cillian Murphy |
Oppenheimer |
Best Actress |
Emma Stone |
Poor Things |
Best Supporting Actor |
Robert Downey Jr. |
Oppenheimer |
Best Supporting Actress |
Da'Vine Joy Randolph |
The Holdovers |
Category |
Winner |
Film |
Best Film |
Conclave |
- |
Outstanding British Film |
Anora |
- |
Best Director |
Sean Baker |
Anora |
Best Actor |
Adrien Brody |
The Brutalist |
Best Actress |
Mikey Madison |
Anora |
Category |
Winner |
Film |
Best Film |
Oppenheimer |
Christopher Nolan |
Best Director |
Christopher Nolan |
Oppenheimer |
Best Actor |
Cillian Murphy |
Oppenheimer |
Best Actress |
Emma Stone |
Poor Things |
Best Supporting Actor |
Robert Downey Jr. |
Oppenheimer |
Best Supporting Actress |
Da'Vine Joy Randolph |
The Holdovers |
Category |
Winner |
Album/Song |
Album of the Year |
Beyoncé |
Cowboy Carter |
Record of the Year |
Kendrick Lamar |
Not Like Us |
Song of the Year |
Kendrick Lamar |
Not Like Us |
Best New Artist |
Chappell Roan |
- |
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance |
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars |
Die With a Smile |
Category |
Winner |
Work |
Album of Year |
Taylor Swift |
Midnights |
Record of Year |
Miley Cyrus |
Flowers |
Song of Year |
Billie Eilish |
What Was I Made For? |
Best New Artist |
Victoria Monét |
- |
Category |
Winner |
Contribution |
Physiology/Medicine |
Katalin Karikó, Drew Weissman |
Pioneering research on mRNA technology, which led to rapid development of mRNA vaccines used globally to combat COVID-19. Their work revolutionized vaccine development. |
Physics |
Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz, Anne L'Huillier |
Their research on attosecond physics explores behavior of electrons on an incredibly fast time scale, leading to advancements in study of molecular & atomic systems. |
Chemistry |
Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus, Alexei Ekimov |
Discovery of quantum dots, which are nanometer-sized semiconductor particles with unique optical & electronic properties, leading to advancements in technology & medicine. |
Literature |
Jon Fosse |
Fosse’s contributions to Norwegian literature, with a focus on existential & humanist themes, earned him this prestigious award. |
Peace Prize |
Narges Mohammadi |
Iranian human rights advocate known for her efforts in fighting for women’s rights in Iran, especially in face of oppression & harsh government crackdowns. |
Economics |
Claudia Goldin |
Goldin’s extensive research on women’s role in labor market, uncovering systemic barriers & history of gender disparities in employment. |
Category |
Winner |
Book |
Contribution |
Booker Prize |
Paul Lynch |
Prophet Song |
A powerful, emotionally rich narrative set in Ireland, exploring themes of family, survival, & societal challenges through a deeply personal lens. |
Category |
Winner |
Book |
Contribution |
International Booker Prize |
Jenny Erpenbeck |
Kairos |
Erpenbeck's Kairos examines complexities of love, time, & loss, set against backdrop of historical upheaval. The novel deeply explores intertwining of personal & political history. |
Category |
Winner |
Contribution |
Public Service |
The New York Times |
Investigative reporting on climate crisis, bringing attention to global environmental emergency & impacts of climate change. |
Investigative Reporting |
The Washington Post |
Exposing municipal corruption, with deep reporting uncovering systemic issues within local governments, challenging entrenched power. |
Fiction |
Justin Torres |
Blackouts, a novel that explores experiences of a young Latino man as he navigates love, identity, & hardship during a city-wide power outage. |
Winner |
Contribution |
To be announced in July 2026 |
The Fields Medal is awarded for outstanding achievements in mathematics, & announcement for 2024 will occur in July 2026. The most recent winner of Fields Medal (2022) was Maryna Viazovska, a Ukrainian mathematician. She was awarded Fields Medal for her groundbreaking work in field of packing problems. Specifically, she solved problem of packing spheres in 8 dimensions, known as sphere-packing problem in dimension 8, which had been unsolved for more than a century. |
Category |
Winner |
Club/National Team |
Men's Ballon d'Or |
Lionel Messi |
Inter Miami / Argentina |
Women's Ballon d'Or |
Aitana Bonmatí |
Barcelona / Spain |
Category |
Winner |
Contribution |
Public Service |
Eugenio Lemos |
Lemos’s work in environmental & sustainable agriculture focusing on creating long-term solutions to ecological challenges particularly in Philippines. |
Government Service |
Dr. Ravi Kannan |
Dr. Kannan’s contribution to cancer care in rural India providing accessible, affordable treatment to underserved populations. |
International awards set standard for excellence across industries from scientific breakthroughs to artistic brilliance, business leadership, & global peace efforts. They influence careers, shape industries, & inspire generations to push boundaries of human achievement.
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