Nobel Peace Prize

Why In the News?

Recently, the Nobel Peace Prize has dominated global headlines following a symbolic and controversial gesture where the 2025 Laureate, María Corina Machado, gifted her physical Nobel medal to U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
This event sparked intense debate regarding the transferability of the prize, the official status of laureates, and the selection criteria used by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

1. Core Foundation & Mandate

Establishment: Instituted in 1901 based on the 1895 will of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite.
The Criteria: According to Nobel’s will, it is awarded to the person/organization that has done the most for:
- Fraternity between nations.
- Abolition or reduction of standing armies.
- Promotion of peace congress.
Modern Expansion: In the 21st century, the mandate has expanded to include democracy, human rights, and efforts to combat climate change.

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2. The Norwegian Uniqueness

Unlike the other five Nobel Prizes (Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Economics), which are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden, the Peace Prize has distinct features:

Venue: Awarded in Oslo, Norway.
Selection Body: Chosen by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, a five-member body appointed by the Storting (Norwegian Parliament).
Ceremony Date: Always held on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

3. Nomination & Selection Process

Secrecy Rule: Nominations and the deliberations of the committee have been kept strictly confidential for 50 years.
Eligible Nominators: Include members of national assemblies, heads of state, university professors (History, Social Sciences, Law, etc.), and previous laureates.
Decision: The committee aims for consensus; if not possible, a simple majority vote is used. The decision is final and cannot be appealed.

4. Rules on Transferability & Posthumous Awards

Non-Transferability: The title and honour of a Nobel Laureate are strictly non-transferable and cannot be revoked or shared after the official announcement.
Physical Medal: While the title remains with the laureate, the physical gold medal can be gifted, auctioned (e.g., Dmitry Muratov auctioned his to support refugees), or displayed by others.
Posthumous Awards: Generally, not allowed since 1974. However, if a person dies after the announcement in October but before the ceremony in December, the prize is still awarded (e.g., Dag Hammarskjöld in 1961 was a rare exception before the 1974 rule).

5. Indian Laureates

Mother Teresa (1979): For her humanitarian work with the poor in Kolkata.
14th Dalai Lama (1989): For his non-violent struggle for the liberation of Tibet (Based in India).
Kailash Satyarthi (2014): Shared with Malala Yousafzai for their struggle against the suppression of children and for the right of all children to education.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Nobel Peace Prize:
1.	Unlike other Nobel Prizes which are awarded in Stockholm, the Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo by a committee appointed by the Norwegian Parliament.
2.	The Nobel Peace Prize can be awarded to both individuals and organizations.
3.	Once awarded, the title of the Nobel Peace Prize can be legally transferred by the laureate to another person as a gesture of recognition.
4.	Posthumous nominations are currently permitted under the statutes of the Nobel Foundation.

Which of the statements given above are correct? 
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only 
(C) 1, 2, and 4 only 
(D) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Solution: (A)
STATEMENT 1 CORRECT: The Nobel Peace Prize is indeed unique as it is the only one awarded in Oslo, Norway, by a committee chosen by the Norwegian Parliament (Storting).
STATEMENT 2 CORRECT: Organizations like the Red Cross, UNHCR, and Nihon Hidankyo (2024) have been recipients, alongside individuals.
STATEMENT 3 INCORRECT: According to the Nobel Institute, the prize/title itself is final and non-transferable. Only the physical medal can be gifted or sold, but the official status remains with the original winner.
STATEMENT 4 INCORRECT: Since 1974, the statutes do not allow for posthumous nominations; the laureate must be alive at the time of the announcement.