National Sports Award 

Townsol

March 26, 2026

National Sports Awards are India’s highest prestigious honors conferred annually by the President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, typically on Aug 29 to mark National Sports Day. Organised by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to recognize outstanding achievements in athletics and coaching. 

Major National Sports Awards of India: 

  • Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: India's highest sporting honor for spectacular and outstanding performances over a four-year period. 
  • Reward: ₹25 lakh, a medallion, and a certificate. 
  • Arjuna Award: Recognizes consistent outstanding performance for four years coupled with qualities of leadership and sportsmanship. 
  • Reward: ₹15 lakh, a bronze statuette of Arjuna, and a certificate. 
  • Dronacharya Award: India’s highest award for coaches who have enabled athletes to excel in prestigious major international events. 
  • Categories: Regular (recent accomplishments) and Lifetime (long-term contribution). 
  • Reward: ₹15 lakh (Lifetime) or ₹10 lakh (Regular), plus a bronze statue of Dronacharya. 
  • Major Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement: Honors individuals who have contributed to the promotion of sport even after retirement. 
  • Reward: ₹10 lakh and a Dhyan Chand statuette. 
  • Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar: Recognizes corporate entities, sports boards, and NGOs for their role in development and promoting sports. 
  • Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy: Awarded to universities for top performance in inter-university tournaments. 

Let us discuss and understand more about each one of these National Sports Awards in detail in the following topics. Please share your experience, thoughts, and suggestions with the sports community and let us motivate our next generation. 

Please visit following URL and contact local department of sports for more information. 

Sports Awards | Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports | Government of India 

If you have latest status, additional information, experience or suggestions for this scheme then please add comments below in the respective topic with more information. 

Disclaimer – The information provided here is sourced from official government websites and is intended for general reference only. We will continue to consult relevant authorities and qualified professionals and update this page as new information becomes available.  


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