Indian-born Navi Pillay has received the Nobel Peace Prize. She fought against apartheid. The Nobel Committee has described Navi Pillay's work as extraordinary.

Indian origin Navi Pillai has received the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to Indian-born Navanethem Navi Pillay. A former South African judge and lawyer, Navi was awarded the prize for her contributions to the promotion of peace and international law. The committee described her efforts as extraordinary. Significantly, she was the first non-white woman judge on the High Court of South Africa.

"From his early work to his service as a judge in some of the most important international court cases of our time, there appears to be a distinctive message," the Nobel Committee said, according to a Reuters report. "In which he defended Nelson Mandela and others who spoke out against apartheid, there appears to be a distinct message."

How much prize money will Navi Pillai get?

The Peace Prize is the fifth Nobel Prize to be awarded this week, following those for literature, chemistry, physics, and medicine. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the prize in 2025. Navi Pillay, who won the Nobel Peace Prize, will also receive 12 million Swedish kronor (about ₹116.6 million). She will be presented with the prize on December 10 in Oslo.

Born in an Indian Tamil family

Navi Pillay was born on December 23, 1941, into an Indian Tamil family. She fought a long battle against apartheid in South Africa. As a lawyer, she spoke out against it. Navi represented many political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, before the authorities. Significantly, she also served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014.