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TIME's 100 Most Influential People 2024: As the world increasingly recognizes the contributions and diverse talents of individuals from India, the prestigious TIME magazine has unveiled its annual list of 100 most influential people, featuring eight Indians including Olympian wrestler Sakshi Malik, World Bank President Ajay Banga, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and actor-director Dev Patel among others. Categorized into distinct sections such as "artists," "icons," and "titans," Time’s ‘100 Most Influential People of 2024’ annual list recognizes individuals around the world who wield significant influence.

Here Are Indians Who Made It To Prestigious ‘100 Most Influential People of 2024’ List

1. Sakshi Malik

India’s first female wrestler to win an Olympic medal, Sakshi Malik, has earned a coveted spot on TIME magazine's esteemed 100 Most Influential People List for 2024. Last year, Malik became a face o resistance against Brij Bhushan Singh, former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief who was accused of sexually harassing female grapplers.

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Reflecting on Malik's profound impact, Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Nisha Pahuja recounts a pivotal moment in India's wrestling community. Pahuja said, “Malik was among India’s most celebrated wrestlers who had gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in early 2023 to demand the immediate arrest and resignation of chief of the Wrestling Federation of India Brij Bhushan Singh, accused of sexually harassing female athletes.”

2. Alia Bhatt

Renowned for her versatility and a formidable career within the Hindi film industry, Alia Bhatt garnered widespread acknowledgement around the world, earning accolades such as the prestigious National Film Award. Her stature as one of India's highest-paid actresses and her role as a prominent brand ambassador for Gucci further underscore her influence and impact.

3. Satya Nadella

Satya Nadella, Microsoft's executive chairman and CEO, is reportedly making his third appearance on Time's list of the most influential people. With Microsoft's investments in OpenAI and partnership with Mistral AI, Nadella is at the forefront of the growing AI movement. On Nadella, TIME said that he is “profoundly influential in shaping our future. And that’s a good thing for humanity."

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4. Ajay Banga

Having risen through the ranks, India-born Ajay Banga currently occupies the prestigious role of President of the World Bank, a testament to his remarkable journey and leadership prowess. In her write-up for the Time magazine, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen described Banga as a leader with the “skill and drive to take on the monumental task of transforming an essential institution.”

5. Dev Patel

Hailing from an Indian Gujarati Hindu family, British actor Dev Patel burst onto the global stage with a dazzling big-screen debut in the acclaimed film "Slumdog Millionaire" in 2008. The Time profile by Oscar-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya described Patel as someone who ‘radiates goodness’ “His humanity shines through every time he graces the screen, leaving you no choice but to root for him even when his character is doing something foul; his presence makes you understand where he’s coming from”.

6. Asma Khan

Padma Lakshmi, an Indian-American writer and model, described Asma Khan as a "Top Chef" who is not just engaged in doing the right thing but also a shrewd businesswoman. “South Asian aunties know the cuisine best. Many Indian restaurants in the West have menus where everything kind of tastes the same. But Asma’s food is surprising. It doesn’t taste like restaurant food—and that is the highest compliment,” Lakshmi wrote.

7. Jigar Shah

Jigar Shah was born in India but reportedly moved to United States (US) when he was one-year-old. According to Richard Branson, Jigar Shah, director of the US Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, "leads one of the largest economic-development programs the world has ever seen.”

8. Priyamvada Natarajan

Priyamvada Natarajan, who made it to TIME’s influential people list, is a professor of astronomy and physics at Yale University. She is widely known for her work in mapping dark matter and dark energy.