TIME Magazine has unveiled its annual list of the
100 Most Influential People of 2025, a highly anticipated selection that celebrates individuals who have significantly shaped the world across politics, science, culture, and innovation. While the list showcases a diverse global roster—from
U.S. President Donald Trump to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus—it notably lacks representation from India, marking a rare absence amid the country’s growing global influence.
A Spotlight on Global Leadership
The 2025 edition continues to classify honorees across six categories: Leaders, Titans, Artists, Icons, Innovators, and Pioneers. In the Leaders category, several high-profile global figures stand out:
- Donald Trump, now a two-term U.S. President and frontrunner in the 2024 elections, maintains his political dominance.
- Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is recognized for his transformative leadership in British politics.
- Claudia Sheinbaum, a frontrunner in Mexico’s upcoming presidential elections, could soon become the country’s first woman leader.
- Muhammad Yunus, 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate and microfinance pioneer, is one of the oldest individuals ever featured.
- JD Vance, U.S. Senator and rising conservative figure, also makes the cut as Vice President.
Additional names on the list include prominent world leaders such as German conservative figure Friedrich Merz, WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and South Korean politician Lee Jae-myung.
A Win for Indian-Origin Leadership, but Not India
Though
no Indian national features in the 2025 list, Indian-origin
Reshma Kewalramani, CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, represents a powerful exception. Migrating to the U.S. at the age of 11
, Kewalramani broke barriers by becoming the first woman to lead a major U.S. biotechnology firm. Under her leadership, Vertex earned a historic FDA approval for the first-ever CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy to treat sickle cell disease—a breakthrough in genomic medicine.
TIME’s profile, written by entrepreneur Jason Kelly, lauded her for “pushing the limits of science while navigating the drug-approval process,” calling her the kind of visionary “who can deliver that extraordinary future.”
A Shift from 2024: India’s Notable Absence
The omission of Indian nationals has sparked conversation, especially when contrasted with last year’s inclusions. In 2024, names like Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt and Olympian Sakshi Malik made the cut alongside Indian-origin figures such as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and World Bank President Ajay Banga. Their absence this year is particularly striking given India’s increasing influence in global technology, diplomacy, and entertainment.
Social media discourse has picked up on this void, questioning whether the lack of Indian representation reflects shifting global narratives or an editorial oversight.
Now in its 21st year, the TIME 100 list remains a critical barometer of global influence and soft power. The 2025 edition continues to elevate leaders who are redefining their fields—from politics and medicine to culture and activism. Yet, the exclusion of Indian nationals stands out in a year when the country's global stature continues to rise. While Indian-origin achievers like Reshma Kewalramani symbolize the diaspora's impact abroad, the absence of homegrown Indian influencers raises thought-provoking questions about global visibility and recognition in the world’s most watched power list.
(With inputs from agencies)
