Prof. Jainendra Jain Becomes First Indian to Win the Wolf Prize in Physics

India's Prof. Jainendra K. Jain, one of the world's top theoretical physicists, has won the prestigious Wolf Prize in Physics 2025 (awarded in 2026) for his discovery of composite fermions, a breakthrough that changed how scientists understand the quantum world. The award was presented by Israeli President Isaac Herzog at a state ceremony in Jerusalem on June 18, 2026. Prof. Jain is the first person of Indian origin to win this honor since the prize began in 1978.

Why Did Prof. Jain Win the Wolf Prize in Physics?

He discovered composite fermions, a new way to understand how electrons behave in strong magnetic fields. This solved a big mystery in physics called the Fractional Quantum Hall Effect. His work is a major contribution to quantum physics.

About Prof. Jainendra K. Jain

1. Indian-American theoretical physicist
2. Born in Sambhar, Rajasthan
3. Educated at Maharaja College, Jaipur → IIT Kanpur → Stony Brook University, New York
4. Evan Pugh University Professor at Pennsylvania State University, USA
5. Founding Director of the Lodha Theoretical Physics Institute, Mumbai
6. Authored more than 250 scientific papers
7. First Indian to win the Wolf Prize in Physics. 
8. A leading and highly respected figure in global theoretical physics

What is the Wolf Prize?

It is an international award presented to outstanding scientists and artists worldwide. 

1. Given by the Wolf Foundation, Jerusalem, Israel
2. Presented by the President of Israel
3. Started in 1978.
4. Called the "forerunner to the Nobel Prize"
5. Awarded in physics, chemistry, mathematics, medicine, and agriculture.