10 Famous Personalities of India Who Changed the Nation Forever

Famous Personalities of India have played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s identity across history, politics, science, and culture. Icons like Mahatma Gandhi, known for his principles of nonviolence and truth, and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, celebrated scientist and former president, are shining examples of India’s greatness. Rabindranath Tagore, India’s first Nobel laureate, and Rani Lakshmibai, a fearless warrior queen, continue to inspire generations with their courage, creativity, and patriotism. These legendary figures embody the spirit of India, leaving lasting legacies that continue to influence and uplift the country today.

Who is the Single Greatest Personality in Indian History? 

When it comes to identifying the greatest among the famous personalities of India, a nationwide 2012 poll titled “The Greatest Indian” offered a powerful answer. Organized by Outlook magazine and supported by Reliance Mobile, the poll deliberately excluded pre-independence figures—acknowledging that Mahatma Gandhi’s unparalleled influence would eclipse all others.

Focusing solely on post-independence legends, the poll crowned Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the single greatest Indian. Revered as the architect of the Indian Constitution and a relentless crusader for social equality, Ambedkar’s victory highlights his enduring impact on India’s democratic and inclusive identity. His selection reflects public sentiment and reaffirms his legacy as a visionary who reshaped the nation.

Great Personalities of India

India has many notable figures who left legacies that inspire and influence. Here are some icons who are Famous personalities of Indian History:

Name	Life Span	Work in
Panini	6th and 4th century BCE	logician, Sanskrit philologist, grammarian, and revered scholar in ancient India,
Dr B. R. Ambedkar	14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956)	drafting the Constitution of India
Shivaji Maharaj	19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680	crowned as the Chhatrapati of his realm
Rani Laxmi Bai	19 November 1828 – 18 June 1858	Indian Rebellion of 1857
Ahilyabai Holkar	31 May 1725 – 13 August 1795	great pioneer and builder of Hindu temples
Rabindranath Tagore	7 May 1861 – 8 August 1941	Indian poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer, and painter.
Aryabhata (Aryabhata I)	476 CE – 550 CE	Ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer; wrote the Aryabhata, a significant astronomical treatise.
Jawaharlal Nehru	1889-1964	Served as India’s first prime minister and was crucial to the country’s independence movement.
Subhash Chandra Bose	1897-1945	Leader of the Indian Nationalist Movement; established the Indian National Army (INA).
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar	1891-1956	Principal architect of the Indian Constitution; social reformer and champion for Dalit rights.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel	1875-1950	First Deputy Prime Minister of India; helped integrate princely states.
Mother Teresa	1910-1997	Catholic nun and missionary; founded the Missionaries of Charity; Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Indira Gandhi	1917-1984	The first female Indian prime minister, she led decisively in the 1971 war.
Swami Vivekananda	1863-1902	Hindu monks; introduced the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy	1772-1833	Social reformer; played a key role in the abolition of the practice of Sati and child marriage.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak	1856-1920	Prominent leader of the Indian independence movement; coined the slogan “Swaraj is my birthright”.
Lal Bahadur Shastri	1904-1966	Second Prime Minister of India; known for his leadership during the 1965 India-Pakistan war.
Chanakya	Approx. 350-275 BCE	Ancient Indian teacher, philosopher, and royal advisor; authored the Arthashastra.
Major Dhyan Chand	August 29, 1905 – December 3, 1979	Legendary Indian field hockey player, 3-time Olympic gold medalist (1928, 1932, 1936).
Sarojini Naidu	February 13, 1879 – March 2, 1949	Indian poet and freedom fighter, first woman president of INC and governor.

List of Famous Sports Personalities of India

India has produced numerous sports icons who have excelled in their respective sports and made significant contributions outside of their sporting careers. These athletes are among the famous personalities of India, known for their achievements both on and off the field. Here’s a list of some of the most renowned personalities of India in the realm of sports, along with their significant contributions beyond the sports arena:

1. Sachin Tendulkar – Cricket

1. The Rajya Sabha member has supported many social causes.
2. Charity work includes helping underprivileged children and promoting health and hygiene.

2. Milkha Singh (Late) – Athletics (400 meters)

1. Promoted sports and fitness throughout India.
2. His life story, which was depicted in the movie “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag,” inspired many young athletes.

3.  Mary Kom – Boxing

1. Nominated as a Member of the Rajya Sabha.
2. Active in promoting women’s rights and issues related to the Northeast region of India.
3. Runs the Mary Kom Regional Boxing Foundation to nurture young boxing talent.

4. Vishwanathan Anand – Chess

1. Promotes chess education in India.
2. He Collaborated with the NIIT to launch the “NIIT MindChampions Academy” to promote chess in schools.

5. P. T. Usha – Athletics (400 meters hurdles)

1. Founded the Usha School of Athletics in Kerala to train young athletes.
2. She is Actively involved in promoting athletics and fitness in India.

6. Sunil Chhetri – Football

1. Advocates for the growth and development of football in India.
2. He is Actively involved in charitable activities and social causes.

7. Saina Nehwal – Badminton

1. Promotes health and fitness campaigns.
2. She is Actively involved in charitable activities.

8. Kapil Dev – Cricket

1. Participated in many charitable activities.
2. grooms Indian cricketers and golfers.

9. Leander Paes – Tennis

1. Supporting charities and children’s rights.
2. Promotes tennis and other sports in India.

10. Pullela Gopichand – Badminton

1. Started the Gopichand Badminton Academy, which has produced world-class players.
2. Promotes sports purity and opposes doping.

Famous Sports Personalities of India GK

This table lists some of the famous personalities of India, including renowned sportspeople, their respective sports, and their extraordinary achievements:

No	Name	Sports	Achievement for India
1	Sachin Tendulkar	Cricket	100 + century 1st 200 runs in word
2	Mithali raj	14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956)	Most run in ODI
3	M.S. Dhoni	Cricket	Led India to 2007 T20 & 2011 ODI World Cup wins
4	P.V. Sindhu	Badminton	Silver medal at 2016 Olympics & 2019 World Champion
5	Saina Nehwal	Badminton	Bronze medal at 2012 Olympics
6	Mary Kom	Boxing	Six-time World Amateur Boxing champion
7	Abhinav Bindra	Shooting	Gold medal at 2008 Olympics
8	Viswanathan Anand	Chess	Five-time World Chess Champion
9	Sania Mirza	Tennis	Multiple Grand Slam titles in doubles`
10	Kapil Dev	Cricket	India won the 1983 Cricket World Cup.
11	Leander Paes	Tennis	Multiple Grand Slam titles & Olympic bronze
12	Milkha Singh	Athletics	4th place in 400m at 1960 Olympics
13	P.T. Usha	Athletics	Multiple Asian Games gold medals
14	Bajrang Punia	Wrestling	Multiple World Wrestling Championship medals
15	Yogeshwar Dutt	Wrestling	Bronze medal at 2012 Olympics
16	Kidambi Srikanth	Badminton	Former World No. 1 in men’s singles
17	Rohit Sharma	Cricket	Highest individual score in ODI cricket
18	Virender Sehwag	Cricket	First Indian to score a triple century in Tests
19	Rani Rampal	Hockey	Captain of the Indian women’s hockey team
20	Dhanraj Pillay	Hockey	Former captain of the Indian men’s hockey team
21	Hima Das	Athletics	Gold in 400m at the 2018 World U20 Championships
22	Neeraj Chopra	Javelin Throw	Gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games & 2020 Olympics, Silver Medal at Olympics 2024
23	Ramesh Krishnan	Tennis	Achieved highest ATP ranking of 23
24	Vijender Singh	Boxing	Bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics
25	Gagan Narang	Shooting	Bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics
26	Karnam Malleswari	Weightlifting	Bronze medal at the 2000 Olympics
27	Jwala Gutta	Badminton	Multiple times National Badminton Champion
28	Ashwini Ponnappa	Badminton	Gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games
29	Sunil Chhetri	Football	Top scorer for the Indian national football team
30	Geeta Phogat	Wrestling	Gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games
31	Babita Kumari	Wrestling	Silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
32	Vinesh Phogat	Wrestling	Gold in the Long Jump at the 2005 World Athletics Final
33	Anju Bobby George	Athletics	Gold in Long Jump at the 2005 World Athletics Final
34	Manika Batra	Table Tennis	Gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
35	Dipa Karmakar	Gymnastics	4th place in Vault at the 2016 Olympics
36	Ajeetesh Sandhu	Golf	Multiple professional golf tournament wins
37	Shubhankar Sharma	Golf	Winner of European Tour events
38	Sharath Kamal	Table Tennis	Multiple times National Table Tennis Champion
39	Koneru Humpy	Chess	World Rapid Chess Champion 2019
40	Harmanpreet Kaur	Cricket	Captain of Indian women’s T20 cricket team
41	Mithali Raj	Cricket	Highest run-scorer in women’s ODI cricket
42	Sushil Kumar	Wrestling	Two-time Olympic medalist
43	Lakshya Sen	Badminton	Winner of multiple BWF titles
44	Amit Panghal	Boxing	Silver medal at 2019 World Boxing Championships
45	Cheteshwar Pujara	Cricket	Key player in India’s Test cricket team
46	Aditi Ashok	Golf	Represented India at the Olympics
47	Sakshi Malik	Wrestling	Bronze medal at 2016 Olympics
48	Sai Praneeth	Badminton	Bronze medal at 2019 World Championships
49	Rupinder Pal Singh	Hockey	Key player in Indian men’s hockey team
50	Dutee Chand	Athletics	National record holder in 100m sprint

India has a rich legacy of producing world-class athletes who are celebrated as famous personalities of India. These athletes, who have excelled in sports like cricket, athletics, shooting, and badminton, have not only brought home international medals but also inspired millions with their remarkable achievements.

Famous Women personalities of India 

Name	Work/Achievement
Draupadi Murmu	​​- First woman Governor of Jharkhand.
Lata Mangeshkar	– Legendary playback singer. – Honored with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.
Sudha Murty	– Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. – Renowned author and philanthropist.
Savitribai Phule	– First female teacher of India. – Social reformer who worked for women’s rights and education.
Anandi Gopal Joshi	– First Indian woman to obtain a degree in Western medicine. – Pioneered women’s education in India.
Indira Gandhi	– First female Prime Minister of India. – Played a crucial role in shaping modern India.
Kalpana Chawla	– First Indian woman astronaut in space.
Mary Kom	– Indian Olympic boxer. – Only woman to become World Amateur Boxing champion for a record
Rani Lakshmibai	Queen of Maratha ruled Jhansi. – Played a major role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw	– Chairperson and managing director of Biocon Limited. – One of Forbes’ 100 most powerful women.
Arundhati Roy	– Author of the novel “The God of Small Things”. – Human rights and environmental activist.
Saina Nehwal	– Former world no. 1 badminton player. – First Indian to win a medal in Badminton at the Olympics.
Chhavi Rajawat	– India’s youngest sarpanch (village head). – MBA graduate who left her corporate job to develop her village.
Mithali Raj	– Captain of the Indian women’s cricket team. – Highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket.
P. T. Usha	– Indian track and field athlete. – Dubbed the “queen of Indian track and field.”
Irom Sharmila	– Political activist and poet. – Went on a hunger strike for 16 years to protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Manipur.
Medha Patkar	– Social activists addressing critical political and economic issues. – Founder member of the Narmada Bachao Andolan.
Barkha Dutt	– Indian television journalist and author. – Covered conflict zones and has won multiple awards for her reporting.

Famous Personalities of India Male

Name of Famous Personalities of India Male	Work/Achievement
Narendra Modi	Current Prime Minister of India. – Known for significant economic and political reforms.
Ratan Tata	Industrialist and philanthropist. – Chairman Emeritus of Tata Group.
Mukesh Ambani	Chairman of Reliance Industries. – One of the richest men in the world.
Virat Kohli	Indian cricketer. – Former captain of the Indian cricket team and global sports icon.
Sundar Pichai	CEO of Google and Alphabet. – A global tech leader representing India worldwide.
Neeraj Chopra	Indian athlete and Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw.
M. S. Dhoni	Former Indian cricket captain. – Led India to multiple ICC championships.
Rajkumar Rao	Award-winning Bollywood actor known for versatile roles.
Shah Rukh Khan	Bollywood superstar. – Known as the “King of Bollywood” with global fame.
Anand Mahindra	Industrialist and chairman of Mahindra Group. – Promoter of innovation and sustainability.

Famous women entrepreneur personalities of India

 Prominent Women Entrepreneurs Famous personalities of India:

Name	Company Name
Falguni Nayar	Nykaa
Indra Nooyi	PepsiCo
Aditi Gupta	Menstrupedia
Radhika Ghai Aggarwal	ShopClues.com
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw	Biocon India
Vani Kola	Kalaari Capital
Suchi Mukherjee	LimeRoad
Shradha Sharma	YourStory
Upasana Taku	MobiKwik
Ghazal Alagh	Mamaearth (Shark Tank India)
Chitra Gurnani Daga	Thrillophilia
Vineeta Singh	SUGAR Cosmetics (Shark Tank India)

Most Famous Person in India: Art, Social Work, Politician 

Most Famous Personalities of India in Art:

Name	Category	Work/Achievements
Narendra Modi	Politics	Current Prime Minister of India. Previously served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
JRD Tata	Business	​​- Former chairman of Tata Sons. ​​- Pioneer of civil aviation in India with the launch of Tata Airlines, later known as Air India.
​​AR Rahman	​​Music	​​- Oscar-winning music composer and singer. – Best known for his roles in films such as “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Roja,” and “Dil Se.”
S. Jaishankar	Diplomacy	​​- India’s current Minister of External Affairs. ​​- Former Foreign Secretary of India.
Amitabh Bachchan	​​Cinema	– Legendary Bollywood actor. – Known for films like “Sholay”, “Deewar”, and “Piku”.
Prakash Baba Amte	Social Work	​​- Social worker and activist. – Well-known for his contributions to the empowerment and rehabilitation of leprosy patients.
Dashrath Manjhi	Social Work	​​- Known as the “Mountain Man”. – Carved a path through a mountain using only a hammer and chisel.
Dada Saheb Phalke	Cinema	​​- Father of Indian cinema. – The director of “Raja Harishchandra,” India’s first feature-length motion picture.
​​Sachin Tendulkar	Sports (Cricket)	– Renowned cricketer known as the “God of Cricket”.
APJ Abdul Kalam	​​​​Science & Politics	– Former President of India. – Renowned scientist and “Missile Man of India”.
Ratan Tata	Business	​​- Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons. – Philanthropist and key person behind the Tata Nano car project.
Lata Mangeshkar	Music	​​- Legendary playback singer. – Voice behind numerous Bollywood classics.
Satyajit Ray	Cinema	​​- Renowned filmmaker and director. – Well-known for the “Apu Trilogy” and additional beloved movies.
Ravi Shankar	Music	Sitar maestro
M.S. Swaminathan	Agriculture	– Geneticist and father of the Green Revolution in India. – Played a key role in India’s transition to a food surplus country.
Kalpana Chawla	Science (Astronaut)        –	– First Indian woman astronaut in space.
B.R. Ambedkar	Law & Social Reform	– Principal architect of the Indian Constitution. – Social reformer and advocate for the rights of the Dalits and other marginalized communities.
Viswanathan Anand                Sports (Chess)	Law & Social Reform	– Former World Chess Champion. – India’s chess grandmaster.

Entrepreneurs and famous personalities of India

Entrepreneurs and Famous Personalities of India:

Name	Net Worth	Company
Ratan Tata	$38 B	TATA Group of Companies
Mukesh Ambani	$118 B	Reliance Industries
Gautam Adani	$111 B	Adani Group
Shiv Nadar	$36.5 B	HCL
Savitri Jindal	$24 B	Jindal Steel & Power
Radhakishan Damani	$23 B	D-Mart
Cyrus Poonawalla	$20.7 B	Serum Institute of India
Hinduja family	$20 B	Hinduja Group
Dilip Shanghvi	$19 B	Sun Pharmaceuticals
Kumar Birla	$17.5 B	Aditya Birla Group
Shapoor Mistry	$16.9 B	Shapoorji Pallonji Group

Present Famous Personalities of India 2024

Wondering who is the most famous person in india right now? Here is the list of current famous personalities of India include-

Name	Working Field	Achievements
Nitin Gadkari	Politics	Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways.
R Madhavan	Cinema	Renowned Bollywood and South Indian actor.
Sundar Pichai	​​Technology	Played a key role in the development and success of Google Chrome and Android.
​​Neeraj Chopra	Sports	Gold medalist in Javelin Throw at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Sunil Chhetri	Sports	Captain of the Indian national football team.
Rahul Gandhi	Politics	​​Member of the Indian National Congress party.
Yo Yo Honey Singh	Music	​​Film actor, music producer, and singer-songwriter from India
Arijit Singh	​​​​Music	Playback singer known for his soulful voice.
​​Premanand Ji Maharaj	Spiritual leader	Renowned spiritual guru and leader
S. S. Rajamouli	Cinema	Film director and screenwriter
Vivek Agnihotri	Cinema	Film director, producer, and screenwriter
Nithin Kamath	Business	Founder and CEO of Zerodha, India’s largest stock brokerage firm.

List of Some Famous Personalities of the World

Name	Field/Contribution	Notable Achievements
Albert Einstein	Physics	Theory of Relativity, Nobel Prize in Physics (1921)
Mother Teresa	Humanitarian Work	Founded the Missionaries of Charity, Nobel Peace Prize (1979)
Bill Gates	Technology, Philanthropy	Co-founder of Microsoft, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Nelson Mandela	Politics, Activism	Anti-apartheid leader, President of South Africa, Nobel Peace Prize (1993)
William Shakespeare	Literature	Iconic playwright and poet, wrote Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet
Barack Obama	Politics	44th President of the USA, Nobel Peace Prize (2009)
Lata Mangeshkar	Music	Legendary playback singer, Bharat Ratna awardee
Abraham Lincoln	Politics	16th President of the USA, led the country during the Civil War

Most Famous Person in India – Science Field

India has been home to numerous luminaries, who are among the famous personalities of India, that have made significant contributions to the world of science. Their groundbreaking work has elevated India to a global level and paved the way for upcoming scientific generations. Here’s a look at some of the most famous personalities of India in the Indian science arena:

Name	Work
Chandrasekhara V Raman	He discovered the Raman Effect, which is the change in the wavelength of light when it gets deflected by molecules, making him one of the most famous personalities of India in the field of science.
Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha	He is revered as the pioneer of India’s nuclear energy effort and is recognized as one of the famous personalities of India. In founding the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), he was a key figure. Known as the “Father of the Indian Nuclear Programme”.
Dr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai	He is considered the father of the Indian space program and is recognized as one of the famous personalities of India.  The Indian National Committee for Space Research, which later became the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), was founded in large part thanks to his efforts. The “Father of the Indian Space Programme” is another name for him.
Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam	space program benefited greatly from his contributions. After that, he became India’s 11th president. He is also known as the “Missile Man of India”.  His legacy as a prominent figure in the famous personalities of India is marked by his dedication to advancing the nation’s scientific capabilities and fostering a spirit of innovation.
Verghese Kurien	India produced the most milk after the White Revolution, a significant achievement largely attributed to the efforts of famous personalities of India.
Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan	This geneticist and international administrator planted high-yield wheat and rice for India’s Green Revolution. He is recognized as one of the famous personalities of India, He died on September 28, 2023. The “Father of the Green Revolution,” they call him.

Autobiographies of Famous Personalities of India

The Story of My Experiments with Truth” by Mahatma Gandhi

Considered a spiritual and political autobiography, this book delves into the formative experiences and philosophy of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the Mahatma, or “Great Soul,” who is one of the most famous personalities of India and led the country’s independence movement against British rule. Gandhi takes readers on a journey through his writings that shaped his commitment to non-violent resistance and Satyagraha, a philosophy of truth force.

Wings of Fire” by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

This inspiring autobiography chronicles the remarkable journey of Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, one of the most famous personalities of India,who rose from humble beginnings in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, to become a distinguished scientist and the 11th President of India. Nicknamed “The Missile Man of India” for his contributions to the country’s missile development programs, Dr. Kalam’s autobiography is a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and unwavering dreams.

Playing It My Way” by Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time and a prominent figure among the famous personalities of India, shares his cricketing journey and personal reflections in this autobiography. From his early days playing gully cricket to his glorious international career, Tendulkar offers a behind-the-scenes look at the dedication, discipline, and passion that shaped his legendary cricketing career.

These are just a few examples of the many captivating autobiographies penned by iconic Indians, who are among the famous personalities of India. By exploring these accounts, we gain valuable insights into the lives, motivations, and struggles that have shaped modern India.

Quotes by Famous Indian Personalities:

• Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

• Jawaharlal Nehru: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

• Swami Vivekananda: “Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached.”

• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: “Educate, Agitate, Organize.”

• APJ Abdul Kalam: “You have to dream before your dreams can come true.”

• Rabindranath Tagore: “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.”

• Indira Gandhi: “The power to question is the basis of all human progress.”

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: “Every Indian should be proud of the diversity and the richness of the culture of this land.”

• Lal Bahadur Shastri: “The preservation of freedom is not the task of soldiers alone. The whole nation has to be strong.”

Mother Teresa: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

Conclusion

India produces many of the world’s most influеntial figurеs, it has a lot of Famous Personalities of India. Thеsе pеoplе has significantly impactеd a variety of fields, including politics, social rеform, sciеncе, thе arts, and sports. Dr. B. R. Ambеdkar, a social justicе advocatе and Constitutional architеct, and Mahatma Gandhi, a nonviolеnt indеpеndеncе fightеr, arе famous Indians. Jawaharlal Nеhru, India’s first Primе Ministеr, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, its 11th Prеsidеnt and sciеntist, and Lata Mangеshkar, its lеgеndary playback singеr, arе also notablе figurеs. These individuals shaped India’s history and inspired many around the world. Thеir lеgacy inspirеs futurе gеnеrations to contribute mеaningfully to sociеty.

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