New Delhi: Time magazine recently unveiled its 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential People, honouring global figures who have contributed greatly through leadership, innovation, and impactful actions. Notable names included US President Donald Trump, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and tech visionary Elon Musk – no Indian national made this year’s cut, which marked a notable departure from previous years when Indian figures and leaders featured prominently.
A Star-Studded Lineup
The 2025 Time 100 list comprises categories such as Leaders, Titans, Artists, Icons, Innovators and Pioneers and features global leaders with remarkable influence across sectors and fields. President Donald Trump stands out among them owing to his revolutionary impact on US politics, while Yunus, Bangladeshi interim leader and microfinance pioneer, ranked highly as a leader on their list of influence.
Elsewhere on this year’s TIME 100 List are Trump for his transformative effect in US politics while Elon Musk (CEO of Tesla/SpaceX/) made another impressive appearance as technology advanced space exploration which allowed him redefining space exploration in ways never seen before by others such as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum US Vice President JD Vance as President as well as Argentina President Javier Milei who are all prominent leaders that continue shaping our planet and space exploration; among many more notables are UK PM Keir Starmer from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer; President Claudia Sheinbaum; US Vice President JD Vance as well as Argentina President Javier Milei from Argentina President Javier Milei among many more prominent leaders among others such.
On this list are entertainers like Scarlett Johansson, Ed Sheeran, and Blake Lively, as well as athletes such as Simone Biles and Serena Williams; Yunus at 84 was honoured; Olympic swimmer Leon Marchand, aged 22, is the youngest honouree. Indian-origin Reshma Kewalramani, who immigrated at age 11 from India, made history by becoming the first woman CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology firm. She was acknowledged for pioneering work within biotechnology as she led Vertex Pharmaceuticals successfully from 1996 until 2016. Her pioneering work made history when she became the first woman CEO for a major US biotech firm by becoming the first woman CEO for a major US biotech firm.
Absence of Indian Nationals Sparks Discussion
Indian nationals’ absence, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, from this year’s TIME 100 list has caused much consternation given India’s rising global influence in diplomacy, technology and culture. Modi has frequently appeared on previous lists (2014-15-17-20-21) but was conspicuously missing this year; TIME described him in 2021 as one of India’s “pivotal leaders”, alongside Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi; however, his policies had also been criticised due to erosion of secularism; last year, actors Alia Bhatt represented India, while figures such as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and World Bank President Ajay Banga also featured prominently on TIME 100 lists over time (2014-2018-2021).
TIME Magazine’s 21-year-old selection process emphasises individuals with significant global impacts over the course of one year, such as Ahmed al-Sharaa leading Syria’s revolt to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad or WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shaping geopolitics or public health spheres, respectively. Indian nationals may have fallen out of focus this time around; Kewalramani’s inclusion demonstrates its ongoing relevance.
TIME magazine’s editorial perspective may also contribute to his absence, having previously criticised his government policies and noting its high approval ratings while raising issues regarding minority rights and press freedom in 2021. With no Indian political figures featured this year, however, its list seems more focused on global narratives such as Trump’s return to power or Yunus’ democratic reforms in Bangladesh.
An International Snapshot of Influence
The 2025 TIME 100 was revealed online and featured in magazine issues on April 17th. There are five international covers featuring standout personalities such as Yunus (Hillary Clinton’s choice for Yunus), Marco Rubio for Venezuelan Maria Corina Machado (Marco Rubio’s tribute for Venezuela’s Maria Corina Machado) and Idris Elba for Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu, with notable figures paying their own personal tributes – Hillary Clinton (for Yunus), Marco Rubio for Venezuela’s Maria Corina Machado, and Idris Elba for Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu – while Donald Trump holds onto first place with seven inclusions, followed closely by Musk with six.
Kewalramani’s inclusion on the TIME 100 list sparks discussion over its lack of Indian nationals; yet her recognition reveals the global reach of talent from India’s shores. As India asserts itself more visibly—with Modi visiting Donald Trump for discussions regarding trade and defense–this list serves as an eye-opener into global power relations and perception.
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