⏱ 4 min read
Questions about awards are common in general knowledge papers: which fields the Nobel Prize covers, which award is called the Nobel Prize of Asia, or which prize is given for Nepali literature. This note explains the background of the major international awards and the main literary awards of Nepal. Winners change every year, so always check the latest names before your exam.
1. Nobel Prize
- Set up by the will of Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite; first awarded in 1901.
- Original five fields: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace.
- The prize in Economic Sciences was added in 1969, funded by Sweden’s central bank (Sveriges Riksbank).
- Prizes are given on 10 December, the anniversary of Nobel’s death.
- The Peace Prize is given in Oslo (Norway); the others in Stockholm (Sweden).
- The Peace Prize is decided by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
2. Ramon Magsaysay Award
- Called the Nobel Prize of Asia; set up in 1957 in the Philippines, in memory of Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay.
- It honours people and organisations in Asia for service to their society.
- Nepali winners include eye surgeon Dr. Sanduk Ruit (2006) and Mahabir Pun (2007), who brought wireless internet to remote villages.
3. Other international awards
| Award | Field | Country / note |
|---|---|---|
| Pulitzer Prize | Journalism, literature and music | USA; started 1917 |
| Oscar (Academy Awards) | Films | USA; first held 1929 |
| Grammy Award | Music | USA |
| Booker Prize | Fiction in English | UK; started 1969 |
| International Booker Prize | Fiction translated into English | UK |
| Abel Prize | Mathematics | Norway |
| Fields Medal | Mathematics (under age 40) | Given every four years |
| Right Livelihood Award | Solutions to global problems | Sweden; called the “Alternative Nobel” |
| Goldman Environmental Prize | Grassroots environmental work | USA |
4. Literary and national awards of Nepal
- Madan Puraskar: the most famous award for a Nepali book of the year, given by the Madan Puraskar Guthi, set up in 2012 BS.
- Jagadamba Shree Puraskar: given by the same Guthi for lifetime contribution to Nepali language and literature.
- The Government of Nepal gives national decorations (medals and titles) to citizens for distinguished service, usually announced on national days.
- Nepal Academy and other bodies give awards for literature, art and music.
5. Tips for the exam
- Remember the place, field and year started for each award.
- Nobel: Stockholm except Peace (Oslo); 10 December; Economics since 1969.
- Magsaysay: Philippines, 1957, “Nobel of Asia”.
- Read the latest year’s winners from a reliable news source shortly before your exam, because these change every year.
6. Nepalis honoured internationally
| Person | Award | Field |
|---|---|---|
| Mahabir Pun | Ramon Magsaysay Award (2007) | Rural wireless internet |
| Sanduk Ruit | Ramon Magsaysay Award (2006) | Eye care, low-cost cataract surgery |
| Anuradha Koirala | CNN Hero of the Year (2010) | Fight against human trafficking |
| Pushpa Basnet | CNN Hero of the Year (2012) | Care for children of prisoners |
7. Nepal’s own awards
- Madan Puraskar: the most prestigious Nepali literary award, given by Madan Puraskar Guthi.
- Jagadamba Shree Puraskar: given by the same Guthi for contribution to Nepali language and literature.
- Nepal Academy awards for literature and arts.
- National decorations given by the President on Constitution Day and other occasions.
8. How this topic is asked in the exam
Objective questions ask who won the latest Nobel Prizes, which award is called the “Asian Nobel” (Magsaysay), and Nepali winners of international awards. Current affairs papers often include the newest winners, so read the latest list before the exam.
📌 Key points to remember
- Nobel Prize: set up by Alfred Nobel (inventor of dynamite); first given in 1901.
- Fields: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace; Economics added in 1969.
- Given on 10 December; Peace Prize in Oslo, others in Stockholm.
- Ramon Magsaysay Award (Philippines, 1957) is the Nobel of Asia.
- Nepali Magsaysay winners include Sanduk Ruit (2006) and Mahabir Pun (2007).
- Pulitzer: journalism (USA); Oscar: films; Grammy: music; Booker: fiction (UK).
- Fields Medal and Abel Prize are for mathematics.
- Madan Puraskar is the top award for a Nepali book.
📝 Quiz
Test yourself: Major Awards and Honours
50 questions check what you read about Nobel Prize, Other international awards and Tips for the exam. Each attempt picks 25 at random.
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Reference sources: NobelPrize.org: facts; Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. Facts checked: 20 October 2026.