The New York Academy of Sciences and Tata Sons have announced the winners of the 2025 Tata Transformation Prize, recognizing Indian scientists advancing breakthrough solutions in Food Security, Sustainability and Healthcare. The prize supports transformative research with real-world potential for India and global communities.
Selected from 212 nominations across 27 states, each winner will receive INR 2 crore to scale their innovations, with the awards ceremony scheduled in Mumbai this December.
Winners of the 2025 Tata Transformation Prize
Food Security – Padubidri V. Shivaprasad, PhD (NCBS)
Honored for developing climate-resilient rice using epigenetic and small RNA–based engineering. His approach enhances nutrition, reduces pesticide and fertilizer use, and offers a scalable model for global staple food crops in changing climate conditions.
Sustainability – Balasubramanian Gopal, PhD (Indian Institute of Science)
Recognized for creating an eco-friendly biomanufacturing platform that uses engineered E. coli to produce industrial chemicals without harmful additives. Integrating AI with biology, his solution reduces pollution and strengthens India’s green industrial capabilities.
Healthcare – Ambarish Ghosh, PhD (Indian Institute of Science)
Awarded for developing magnetic nanorobots that deliver cancer drugs with high precision, minimizing side effects and enabling less invasive treatment. The technology could transform cancer care, especially in low- and middle-income regions.
N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, said the winners’ work demonstrates how science drives progress for humanity, while Nicholas B. Dirks, President & CEO, NYAS, emphasized the award’s focus on innovation with social and global impact.
