Newsmakers

In a moment of pride for India on the global stage, tech leader Sundar Pichai, Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor, and celebrated chef Vikas Khanna have been named among TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2026. The prestigious annual list recognizes individuals from across the world who are shaping the future through their impact, innovation, and cultural influence.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet and Google, continues to be a dominant force in the technology sector. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its footprint in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital accessibility. His inclusion in the list reflects his growing role in guiding the global conversation around responsible AI and technological advancement.

Ranbir Kapoor, one of India’s most versatile and bankable film stars, has been acknowledged for his contribution to cinema and his evolving influence beyond the silver screen. With a string of critically acclaimed performances and commercially successful films, Kapoor has solidified his position as a key figure in contemporary Indian cinema. His work has also gained increasing international recognition, bridging audiences across borders.

Vikas Khanna, Michelin-starred chef, author, and humanitarian, has been honored not only for his culinary excellence but also for his philanthropic efforts. Known for championing Indian cuisine globally, Khanna has also led numerous initiatives focused on hunger relief and community support. His work during times of crisis has earned him widespread admiration.

The inclusion of these three distinguished Indians highlights the country’s diverse contributions to global culture, technology, and social impact. From Silicon Valley boardrooms to film sets and global kitchens, their achievements underscore India’s growing influence across multiple domains.

The 2026 TIME100 list underscores how individuals from varied backgrounds continue to shape global narratives through innovation, creativity, and social impact, reinforcing the growing influence of Indian voices on the world stage.

Global honorees on the list include YouTube Chief Neal Mohan, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Pope Leo XIV, commander of the 2026 Artemis II Reid Wiseman, US President Donald Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Prominent Asian personalities featuring on the list are Japan's first woman prime minister Sanae Takaichi and Nepal's young Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

Here’s the full list.

World leaders:
Pope Leo XIV (Head of the Catholic Church)
Xi Jinping (President of China)
Benjamin Netanyahu (Prime Minister of Israel)
Donald Trump (US President)
Mark Carney (Prime Minister of Canada)
Claudia Sheinbaum (President of Mexico)
Sanae Takaichi (Prime Minister of Japan)
Balendra Shah (Prime Minister of Nepal)
Marco Rubio (US Secretary of State)
Gavin Newsom (Governor of California)
Zohran Mamdani (New York City Assemblyman/Mayor)
Susie Wiles (White House Chief of Staff)
Tarique Rahman (Bangladeshi Leader)
Mette Frederiksen (Prime Minister of Denmark)
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (Namibian Leader)
Rafael Mariano Grossi (IAEA Director General)
Henna Virkkunen (European Commission VP)
Jacob Frey (Mayor of Minneapolis)
Dan Caine (Joint Chiefs of Staff)
Steve Witkoff (US Special Envoy)
Mark Kelly (US Senator)

Innovators & AI leaders
Sundar Pichai (CEO of Google/Alphabet)
Neal Mohan (CEO of YouTube)
Gwynne Shotwell (SpaceX COO)
Dario Amodei & Daniela Amodei (Anthropic)
Michael Dell & Susan Dell (Philanthropists/Dell)
MrBeast (Content Creator/Entrepreneur)
CC Wei (CEO of TSMC)
Jeremy Allaire (Circle CEO)
Sarah Friar (OpenAI CFO)
John Furner (Walmart US CEO)
David Ellison (Skydance Media)
Josh D’Amaro (Disney Parks Chairman)
Aliko Dangote (Industrialist)
Lip-Bu Tan (Tech Investor)
Fatih Birol (IEA Executive Director)

Artists & Entertainers
Ranbir Kapoor (Actor)
Zoe Saldaña (Actor)
Ben Stiller (Actor/Humanitarian)
Benicio Del Toro (Actor)
Ethan Hawke (Actor/Director)
Kate Hudson (Actor/Entrepreneur)
Dakota Johnson (Actor)
Claire Danes (Actor)
Keke Palmer (Actor/Host)
Sterling K. Brown (Actor)
Alan Cumming (Actor)
Noah Wyle (Actor)
Jonathan Groff (Actor)
Wagner Moura (Actor)
Rhea Seehorn (Actor)
Jafar Panahi (Director)
Nikki Glaser (Comedian)
Tayari Jones (Novelist)
Yiyun Li (Author)
Freida McFadden (Author)

Musicians
Luke Combs (Country Star)
Jennie (Global Pop Icon)
Coco Jones (Singer/Actor)
Hilary Duff (Musician/Actor)
Rauw Alejandro (Musician)
Noah Kahan (Musician)
Anderson .Paak (Musician)

Athletes
Scottie Scheffler (Golfer)
Chloe Kim (Snowboarder)
Lando Norris (F1 Driver) Noah Lyles (Sprinter)
Hilary Knight (Hockey Player)
Alysa Liu (Figure Skater)

Icons, pioneers & advocates
Vikas Khanna (Chef/Humanitarian)
Ralph Lauren (Fashion Designer)
Victoria Beckham (Fashion Designer)
Matthieu Blazy (Bottega Veneta Designer)
Anok Yai (Model)
Nancy Silverton (Chef)
Mashama Bailey (Chef)
Lynsey Addario (Photojournalist)
Cao Fei (Artist)
Walter Hood (Landscape Architect)
Shirin Ebadi (Nobel Laureate)
Dolores Huerta (Labor Leader)
Heather Gerken (Yale Law Dean)
Kica Matos (Advocate)
Shannon Minter (Legal Director)
Lauren Hersh (Advocate)
Mamadou Amadou Ly (Activist)
Zabib Musa Loro (Peacebuilder)
Rachel Foster (Advocate)
Sabrina Walter (Advocate)

Science, space & health
Reid Wiseman (Artemis II Commander)
Tony Tyson (Astrophysicist)
Kiran Musunuru & Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas (Geneticists)
Precious Matsoso (Health Advocate)
Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari (Environmentalist)
Mariangela Hungria (Agricultural Scientist)
Luciano Moreira (Scientist)
Anne-Claire Amprou (Health Policy)