The world is on the edge of its seat as the 2025 Nobel Prize announcements approach, with the first winner set to be revealed on Monday, October 6. Over the course of a week, the global spotlight will shine on Stockholm and Oslo as new laureates are named in medicine, physics, chemistry, literature, peace, and economics. For many, these awards represent the pinnacle of achievement—recognizing individuals and organizations whose work has profoundly benefited humanity.
Since their inception in 1901, the Nobel Prizes have held a unique place in the international imagination. According to the Associated Press, the awards were established through the will of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, inventor, and entrepreneur best known for inventing dynamite. Nobel’s fortune, amassed from his more than 300 patents, was directed after his death to fund annual prizes for those who, in his words, “have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.”
The original five prizes—medicine or physiology, physics, chemistry, literature, and peace—were first awarded five years after Nobel’s death. In 1968, Sweden’s central bank added a sixth award for economic sciences. While some purists argue that economics is not a traditional Nobel category, it is presented alongside the others and carries the same international prestige. The full roster of laureates includes such legendary figures as Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Ernest Hemingway, Nelson Mandela, and Mother Teresa.
Each year, the Nobel process begins with a highly secretive nomination phase. As detailed by India Today, only a select group—including previous laureates, professors, directors of peace research institutes, and certain officials—can submit nominations. Self-nominations are strictly prohibited. The committees responsible for each prize then meticulously review the submissions, often seeking additional input from external experts before making their recommendations. The final decisions are made by majority vote, and the entire process is cloaked in confidentiality: the names of nominees and the details of deliberations remain sealed for 50 years.
This year, the Nobel Peace Prize alone has attracted 338 nominations, a testament to the intense global interest in the award. While the identities of the nominees are officially secret, nominators are allowed to publicize their recommendations. This openness has fueled speculation and debate, particularly in the case of the Peace Prize. U.S. President Donald Trump, for instance, has been nominated multiple times since 2018, including most recently by a Republican congresswoman for his role in brokering the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. Trump himself has said it would be an “insult” to the United States if he does not win, citing his claims of resolving multiple wars.
However, as reported by AFP and echoed in India Today, experts in Oslo believe Trump’s chances are extremely slim. Historian Oeivind Stenersen remarked, “It’s completely unthinkable. He is in many ways the opposite of the ideals that the Nobel Prize represents.” Karim Haggag, who leads the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, added that the committee will need to assess whether there are tangible successes in Trump’s peacemaking efforts. Meanwhile, many observers argue that the Peace Prize should recognize those working behind the scenes in the world’s most troubled regions—such as Sudan, the Sahel, and the Horn of Africa—where groups like Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms risk their lives to provide aid amid conflict. The recent surge in journalist deaths, particularly in Gaza, has also put media watchdogs in the running for recognition.
The anticipation is not limited to the Peace Prize. Literature fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement on October 9, with Swiss author Christian Kracht emerging as a favorite. As India Today noted, members of the Swedish Academy were spotted at Kracht’s recent appearance at the Gothenburg Book Fair—an event often interpreted as a sign of Nobel consideration. After last year’s win by South Korea’s Han Kang, speculation is rife that the prize may go to a white male author from the Anglo-Saxon, German, or French-speaking world.
The Nobel announcements will be made daily, with the schedule as follows: Monday, October 6—Medicine or Physiology; Tuesday, October 7—Physics; Wednesday, October 8—Chemistry; Thursday, October 9—Literature; Friday, October 10—Peace; and Monday, October 13—Economic Sciences. Each announcement is broadcast live by the Nobel Foundation on its official website and YouTube channel, with major news outlets such as Reuters and Scandinavian public broadcasters providing real-time updates. The ceremonies themselves will take place on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. The Peace Prize is uniquely awarded in Oslo, Norway, while the other prizes are presented in Stockholm, Sweden, by the Swedish king. The evening is capped off with the traditional Nobel banquet, a glittering event attended by around 1,300 guests.
Winning a Nobel Prize is about more than the monetary reward, though the prize is substantial: each laureate receives 11 million Swedish kronor (about $1.2 million), an 18-carat gold medal, and a diploma. Up to three laureates can share each prize. But for most, the true value lies in the international recognition that comes with joining a select group of individuals whose work has changed the world. As HQ magazine puts it, “Winning instantly elevates the laureates into a small group of names that include Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Ernest Hemingway, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King Jr.”
Despite the glamour, the Nobel Prizes are not without controversy. The Peace Prize, in particular, often sparks debate over whether it should go to high-profile leaders or to those laboring quietly in forgotten corners of the world. The science prizes, meanwhile, are known for their caution: the committees often wait decades before recognizing a breakthrough, ensuring that the work stands the test of time. In contrast, the Peace Prize committee tends to reward achievements from the previous year, making it the most immediate of the awards.
As the 2025 Nobel season begins, the blend of secrecy, anticipation, and global attention ensures that the world will be watching closely. Whether the prizes go to household names or unsung heroes, each announcement offers a moment to celebrate humanity’s capacity for discovery, creativity, and compassion. Next week, as the envelopes are opened and the names are revealed, a new chapter will be written in the storied history of the Nobel Prizes—one that will remain shrouded in mystery for decades to come, even as the world applauds the latest laureates.
