Tessy Thomas wins Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios Award 2025
Why in the news
Tessy Thomas, widely called India’s Missile Woman, has been named the recipient of the Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios Award 2025, reported on 1 December 2025.
Key facts
- Award: Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios Award 2025, given to Tessy Thomas.
- Conferred by: the Sophia Society, on a biennial basis.
- Citation: recognises her pioneering contributions to defence science.
- Firsts: she was the first woman to lead a missile project in India.
- Agni link: she led the Agni missile programme during an important phase of its technological growth.
- The reports did not state the prize money or the venue of the presentation.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Awardee | Tessy Thomas |
| Awarding body | Sophia Society |
| Frequency | Biennial |
| Home state | Kerala (Alappuzha) |
About Tessy Thomas
- Comes from Alappuzha in Kerala and was drawn to the sky, space and science from childhood.
- Received her early missile-research training under Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
- Has been inducted into the Space Pioneer Hall of Fame of the Aeronautical Society.
Exam angle
- Awards and persons questions often pair a person with a nickname: Tessy Thomas is the Missile Woman of India.
- Remember the awarding body (Sophia Society) and that the award is biennial.
- Link her with the Agni programme and with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam as her mentor.