Which category, added in 1969, became the sixth category of the Nobel Prize?

The Economics category became the sixth Nobel Prize in 1969, officially known as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. Unlike the original five Nobel Prizes—Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace—the Economics prize was established much later, funded by the central bank of Sweden (Sveriges Riksbank) to honor outstanding contributions to the field of economics.

The addition of Economics as a Nobel category recognized the growing importance of economic research in shaping global policies, development, and understanding of markets. Over the decades, this prize has been awarded to economists whose work has significantly impacted areas such as macroeconomics, microeconomics, behavioral economics, and international trade. The first recipient of the Economics Nobel Prize in 1969 was Ragnar Frisch from Norway and Jan Tinbergen from the Netherlands, pioneers who laid the foundation for modern econometric analysis.

 Including Economics among the Nobel Prizes broadened the scope of the awards beyond the natural sciences and humanities, acknowledging the crucial role economic thinking plays in improving societal well-being. Students and aspirants of competitive exams often encounter this fact in General Knowledge MCQs, as it is a notable milestone in the history of Nobel recognition. Understanding that Economics was added in 1969 as the sixth category helps candidates answer questions related to world awards, history, and influential global achievements.