What makes an athlete a national hero? It’s not just about winning medals, but also about inspiring people and making the country proud.
In India, athletes are celebrated through the Top Sports Awards like the Arjuna Award, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, and Dronacharya Award.
These awards recognize the hard work of players and coaches who bring pride to the country.
In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about these top sports awards in India – their history, who is eligible, and the latest winners.
Prominent Sports Awards in India – In Brief
India’s national sports awards system recognizes exceptional talent across multiple categories.
| Award Name | Awarded For |
|---|---|
| Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award | Outstanding performances in sports over a period of four years |
| Arjuna Award | Consistent good performance in sports over a period of four years |
| Dronacharya Award | Excellence in coaching, producing medal winners at prestigious international events |
Which Is Considered the Highest Sports Award in India?
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is the highest sports award in India.
It is given to sportspersons for their outstanding international performance over four years. The award includes a medal, certificate, and cash prize.
Named after hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, it honors consistent excellence. Famous winners include Virat Kohli, PV Sindhu, Neeraj Chopra, and Mirabai Chanu.
Second-Highest Sports Award in India
The Arjuna Award is India’s second-highest sports award. It honors athletes for consistent good performance over four years in national and international competitions.
This award focuses on sustained excellence and regular participation.
Third-Highest Sports Award in India
The Dronacharya Award is the third-highest sports award in India, given to coaches.
It recognizes those who have trained athletes to win medals at major international competitions, celebrating their crucial role in shaping champions.
Best Sports Awards in India: A Closer Look
India’s sports awards system includes several categories that recognize different aspects of athletic and coaching excellence.
Each award has a specific criterion for eligibility and serves a unique purpose in promoting the culture of sports.
1. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award represents India’s highest sporting honor.
The Khel Ratna Award honors sportspersons for their outstanding international performance over a four-year period, accompanied by a medal, certificate, and a ₹25 lakh cash prize.
It was initially called the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and was renamed in 2021 in honor of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
Athletes must demonstrate consistent excellence at international competitions to qualify for this award.
This award has honored some of India’s greatest sporting icons, including cricket captain Virat Kohli, badminton star PV Sindhu, Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu.
Recently, the Khel Ratna Award was presented to chess prodigy Gukesh D, hockey star Harmanpreet Singh, para-athlete Praveen Kumar, and shooter Manu Bhaker for their outstanding performances.
2. Arjuna Award
The Arjuna Award is given to sportspersons who have shown consistent good performance over the past four years.
Unlike awards that focus only on major victories, this award honors athletes who regularly perform well in national and international competitions.
The award includes a bronze statuette, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹15 lakh. Both individual achievements and contributions to team events are considered during selection.
In January 2025, athletes Jyothi Yarraji and Annu Rani were honored with the Arjuna Award for their consistent performances in athletics.
3. Dronacharya Award
The Dronacharya Award is given to coaches who have trained athletes to win medals at major international events like the Olympics, World Championships, and Asian Games.
It is named after Guru Dronacharya, the legendary teacher from the Mahabharata who trained the Pandavas and Kauravas in warfare and archery.
This award honors the hard work, training skills, and mentorship of coaches.
The selection process looks at the coach’s track record, training methods, and the achievements of their athletes. This honour ensures that coaches, who work behind the scenes, get the recognition they deserve for their athletes’ success.
The awardees are given a bronze statue of ‘guru’ Drona, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs 15 lakhs.
Recently, Armando Colaco became the first Goan coach to receive the Dronacharya Award for his remarkable contribution to Indian football.
He is also known for leading Dempo SC to multiple national titles and the AFC Cup semi-finals.
Other Prestigious Sports Awards in India
India’s sports awards system includes several other categories that recognize different aspects of athletic achievement and contribution to sports development.
- Arjuna Award Lifetime: Presented for good performance and contribution towards the promotion of sports
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy: Given to universities for top performance in inter-university tournaments
- Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar: Awarded to organizations and individuals for playing a role in sports development.
When Are Top Sports Awards In India Announced?
The National Sports Awards are announced annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
The President of India presents these awards at a specially organized function at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony takes place on National Sports Day, which is on August 29.
Athletes, coaches, and sports organizations become eligible for these awards based on their performance and contributions during the preceding years.
The selection process involves careful evaluation by expert committees before final recommendations are made to the government.
National Sports Awards Winners 2024
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the 2024 National Sports Awards recipients, recognizing exceptional performances across various categories.
| Name | Award Category | Sport/Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| Gukesh D | Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna | Chess |
| Harmanpreet Singh | Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna | Hockey |
| Praveen Kumar | Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna | Para-Athletics |
| Manu Bhaker | Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna | Shooting |
| Jyothi Yarraji | Arjuna Award | Athletics |
| Annu Rani | Arjuna Award | Athletics |
| Shri Subhash Rana | Dronacharya Award | Para-Shooting |
| Ms. Deepali Deshpande | Dronacharya Award | Shooting |
| Shri Sandeep Sangwan | Dronacharya Award | Hockey |
Conclusion: Arjuna, Khel Ratna, And Dronacharya Shine As India’s Top Sports Awards
India’s national sports awards play a key role in celebrating real talent and encouraging athletes and coaches to keep giving their best.
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, and Dronacharya Award stand as a mark of respect for their hard work and success.
These awards not only honour past achievements but also motivate many others to step up and perform.
The 2024 ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan clearly showed how sports in India are growing across different fields, with names like Gukesh D and Praveen Kumar getting the spotlight.
As more young talents rise, these awards will continue to remind them that dedication and effort never go unnoticed.
FAQs
Athletes can win the same major sports award multiple times for consistent top performance.
Players in team sports can receive individual awards based on their personal contributions. Many team athletes are recognized for their standout performances.
M. S. Dhoni has not received the Arjuna Award; he was honored with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2007.
