The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2024 was conferred on Michelle Bachelet — former President of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights — in New Delhi on November 20–21, 2025. The award was presented by Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, in recognition of Bachelet's lifelong commitment to human rights, gender equality, social protection for women and children, and global justice. The prize, established in 1986 by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust in memory of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, carries a monetary award of ₹25 lakh along with a citation. Michelle Bachelet served as President of Chile (2006–10 and 2014–18) — the country's first woman president — and as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2018–22). During her tenure at the OHCHR, she investigated human rights violations in Xinjiang (China), Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Myanmar, often in the face of political pressure. Previous recipients of the award include Kofi Annan, Wangari Maathai, Muhammad Yunus, the UN World Food Programme, Jacinda Ardern, and Angela Merkel. The award ceremony comes at a time of intense global focus on human rights governance, democracy, and the role of international institutions. For RPSC RAS, this is significant as it relates to Paper-II themes of governance, international institutions, and India's soft power diplomacy.
Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2024 Conferred on Michelle Bachelet in New Delhi on November 20–21, 2025
The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2024 was conferred on Michelle Bachelet — former President of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights — in New Delhi on November 20–21, 2025. The award was presented by Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, in recognition of Bachelet's lifelong commitment to human rights, gender equality, social protection for women and children, and global justice. The prize, established in 1986 by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust in memory of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, carries a monetary award of ₹25 lakh along with a citation. Michelle Bachelet served as President of Chile (2006–10 and 2014–18) — the country's first woman president — and as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2018–22). During her tenure at the OHCHR, she investigated human rights violations in Xinjiang (China), Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Myanmar, often in the face of political pressure. Previous recipients of the award include Kofi Annan, Wangari Maathai, Muhammad Yunus, the UN World Food Programme, Jacinda Ardern, and Angela Merkel. The award ceremony comes at a time of intense global focus on human rights governance, democracy, and the role of international institutions. For RPSC RAS, this is significant as it relates to Paper-II themes of governance, international institutions, and India's soft power diplomacy.
Key facts
- Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2024 was conferred on Michelle Bachelet in New Delhi.
- She served as Chile's first woman president (2006–10, 2014–18) and UN OHCHR head.
- The prize, established in 1986, carries a monetary award of ₹25 lakh with a citation.
- Sonia Gandhi presented the award recognising Bachelet's lifelong human rights commitment.
- Previous recipients include Kofi Annan, Muhammad Yunus, and Angela Merkel.
- At the OHCHR, Bachelet investigated rights violations in Xinjiang, Afghanistan, and Myanmar.
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Who was conferred the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2024 in November 2025?
Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, received the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2024 in New Delhi in November 2025. The other listed leaders were not the 2024 awardees.
Source: PIB
Frequently asked questions
Who was awarded the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2024 and why?
Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, was awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2024. She was recognised for her lifelong commitment to human rights, gender equality, and social protection for women and children.
When and where was the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2024 conferred, and who presented it?
The prize was conferred in New Delhi on November 20–21, 2025, and was presented by Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party.
When was the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize established and what does it comprise?
The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development was established in 1986 by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust in memory of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It carries a monetary award of ₹25 lakh along with a citation.
What positions did Michelle Bachelet hold that made her eligible for the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize?
Michelle Bachelet served as Chile's first woman President for two terms (2006–10 and 2014–18) and as the head of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), where she investigated rights violations in Xinjiang, Afghanistan, and Myanmar.
Name some previous recipients of the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize.
Previous recipients of the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize include Kofi Annan (former UN Secretary-General), Muhammad Yunus (Nobel Peace Laureate), and Angela Merkel (former German Chancellor).
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