The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, formerly the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (1991–2021), is India's highest sporting honor, awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.  

What Makes the Khel Ratna So Significant 

• Highest sporting honor in India — it sits at the top of the national sports awards hierarchy, above the Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, and Dhyan Chand Award. 

• Performance-based, not lifetime achievement — it specifically honors exceptional performance over the previous four years at the international level, which keeps the award tightly tied to current sporting excellence. 

• Renaming in 2021 — shifting from Rajiv Gandhi to Major Dhyan Chand was widely seen as a symbolic move to honor India’s greatest hockey icon and a figure deeply associated with sporting excellence. 

The Award Includes; 

• ₹25 lakh cash prize 

• A medal 

• A certificate of honor 

This combination makes it both prestigious and materially significant recognition for athletes. 

Award is received by Athletes who: 

• Win medals at the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, or World Championships 

• Demonstrate consistent, world-class performance across multiple years 

• Elevate India’s presence on the global sporting stage 

Please refer to the following document for more information. 

Major_Dhyan_Chand_Khel_Ratna.pdf 

MAJOR DHYAN CHAND KHEL RATNA | 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 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.