The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, represent the highest honor in the global film industry for artistic and technical excellence. Recipients are awarded the iconic golden statuette, officially titled the "Academy Award of Merit." Over the decades, numerous Indian filmmakers, artists, and technicians have been recognized by the Academy. As of 2023, 24 Indians have earned nominations, with 8 individuals securing Oscar wins across various fields, including scientific and technical categories.
Indian Oscar Winners 2026
While India saw no wins at the 97th (2025) or 98th (2026) Academy Awards, the nation achieved a historic milestone at the 95th Oscars held in Los Angeles. India celebrated two major victories: Best Original Song for "Naatu Naatu" and Best Documentary Short Film for "The Elephant Whisperers."
Indian Oscar Winners List
India has successfully secured Academy Awards at the 55th, 81st, and 95th ceremonies, winning in categories such as Best Original Song, Best Documentary, Best Sound Mixing, Best Original Score, and Best Costume Design. As Indian cinema continues to gain global recognition, anticipation grows for future accolades. The comprehensive list of Indian Oscar winners is provided below.
| Indian Oscar Winners List | |||
| Year | Award Winner | Film/Production | Category |
| 2023 (95th) | Kartiki Gonsalves Guneet Monga | The Elephant Whisperers | Best Documentary (Short Subject) |
| M. M. Keeravani (Music) Chandrabose (Lyrics) | RRR | Best Original Song (For "Naatu Naatu") | |
| 2018 (90th) | Vikas Sathaye | Academy Award for Technical Achievement | Technical Achievement Oscar |
| 2016 (89th) | Cottalangao Leon | ||
| Rahul Thakkar | Academy Award for Technical Achievement | Technical Achievement Oscar | |
| 2009 (81st) | Resul Pookutty | Slumdog Millionaire | Best Sound Mixing |
| Gulzar (Lyrics) | Best Original Song (For "Jai Ho") | ||
| A. R. Rahman (Music) | |||
| Best Original Score | |||
| 1992 (64th) | Satyajit Ray | For lifetime contribution to cinema | Honorary Academy Award |
| 1983 (55th) | Bhanu Athaiya | Gandhi | Best Costume Design |
Oscar Award- Best Original Song Award (Naatu Naatu)
The Telugu track "Naatu Naatu" from the film RRR, composed by M.M. Keeravaani with lyrics by Chandrabose, triumphed in the Best Original Song category at the 95th Oscars. Competing against global hits like "Hold My Hand" from Top Gun: Maverick, this win followed A.R. Rahman’s landmark success for the song "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire, which won Best Original Song at the 81st Academy Awards in 2009.
Oscar Award - Best Documentary Short Award (Elephant Whisperers)
The Elephant Whisperers, directed by Kartiki Gonsalves and produced by Guneet Monga, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 95th Oscars. The film, which premiered on Netflix in 2022, beautifully documents the life of an indigenous couple, Bomman and Belli, caring for an orphaned elephant calf named Raghu in Mudumalai National Park. It outperformed fellow nominees including Haulout and The Martha Mitchell Effect.
| Also Read | |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winners List | Indian Nobel Prize Winners List |
| Bharat Ratna Award Winners List | Sahitya Akademi Award Winners List |
Indian Oscar Winners: FAQs
Ans. At the 95th Academy Awards in 2023, India achieved a significant double win, taking home Oscars for Best Original Song and Best Documentary Short Subject.
Ans. To date, India has secured wins in multiple categories, including Technical Achievement, Honorary Academy Awards, Best Original Song, Best Documentary, Best Sound Mixing, Best Original Score, and Best Costume Design.
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