Mehta is the second Indian to receive the award. Prof C N R Rao won it in 2005 for his contribution to the field of material sciences.
Noted Indian author Amitav Ghosh has won the prestigious Dan David Prize for his remarkable reworking of the great tradition of the Western novel in transnational terms.
A host of pro-Palestine activists has urged eminent writer Amitav Ghosh not to accept the Tel Aviv-based Dan David Prize.
Unperturbed by criticisms over accepting the prestigious Dan David prize, noted Indian author Amitav Ghosh has said that he is "equally disappointed by those running this campaign of admonition".
Mehta will share the prize with French composer Pascal Dusapin.