Mahatma Gandhi, the global icon of peace, was nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize between 1937 and 1948. Yet, despite his tireless commitment to non-violence, civil rights, and decolonization, he never received the prestigious award. The omission has puzzled historians, scholars, and peace activists for decades. In 1948 the year of Gandhi’s assassination the Nobel Committee considered giving him a posthumous Peace Prize. However, they ultimately decided not to award anyone that year, stating there was “no suitable living candidate.”

Critics argue that Eurocentric bias, geopolitical concerns, and internal committee debates may have influenced the repeated denial. Some also point to Gandhi’s complex political stances and controversies at home, which may have led to hesitation within the committee. Ironically, many who followed Gandhi’s principles—like Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama went on to win the prize he never did. 

In 2006, the Nobel Foundation publicly acknowledged Gandhi as “the missing laureate”, an unusual gesture that reflected the deep regret over what many see as a historic oversight. While he may have been denied a Nobel, Gandhi’s philosophy continues to inspire global peace efforts, civil rights movements, and grassroots activism even today.