Biju Patnaik Sports Award for Lifetime Achievement in Promotion of Sports and Games is a state-level honour given by the Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha. It carries a cash grant of ₹3,00,000 along with a statue, scroll of honour, blazer and tie for retired sportspersons who devote their lives to the growth of sports and games in the state.
Nominations for the award are invited every year. For the Biju Patnaik Sports Award 2025 cycle, the advertisement, guidelines and application forms were released on the official website in May 2026, and applications were accepted online and offline till 10 July 2026, 5:00 PM. Awardees are honoured in a special ceremony on National Sports Day, 29 August, every year.
Biju Patnaik Sports Award for Lifetime Achievement in Promotion of Sports and Games - Introduction
This award remembers the service of late Biju Patnaik, the former Chief Minister of Odisha, towards the development of sports and games in the state. It gives the highest honour of the Odisha government in the field of sports in his name. The main aims of the award are to encourage the growth of sports and games across Odisha, to honour meritorious sportspersons who make the state proud, and to motivate young talent by pointing out the achievements of senior athletes.
Sports disciplines approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Government of India, Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Government of Odisha are recognised under the award, including events for persons with disability.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Biju Patnaik Sports Award for Lifetime Achievement in Promotion of Sports and Games |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary State | Odisha |
| Category | Sports and Culture |
| Benefit Type | ₹3,00,000 cash grant with statue, scroll of honour, blazer and tie |
| Application Mode | Online and offline |
| Implementing Agency | Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha |
| Official Website | Sports and Youth Services Department website |
Eligibility
These conditions must be satisfied to be considered for this award:
- Must be a resident of Odisha.
- Should have good performance at national and international levels during the competitive career.
- Should have continued to contribute to the promotion of sports and games in individual capacity after retirement from active sporting career.
- Minimum age should be 45 years as on 1 January of the award year.
- Should not have been convicted of any criminal offence.
- Should not have used any banned substance or drug for performance enhancement.
The award is conferred on a person only once in a lifetime. It can be given posthumously to the next of kin of a selected sportsperson. If it is found that the award was obtained by fraudulent means, the awardee has to refund the award along with the cash prize and statue, failing which the cost is recovered with simple interest at 5% per annum.
Benefits
Selected awardees get appreciation for their lifelong dedication to sports. The benefits include:
| Award Component | Entitlement |
| Cash Award | ₹3,00,000 |
| Other Accolades | Statue, scroll of honour, blazer and tie |
| Travel and Daily Allowance | At the rate admissible to a Grade A officer |
Awardees are invited to receive the award in person in a special ceremony on National Sports Day, 29 August. Travel and daily allowance is paid at the rate admissible to a Grade A officer to cover the trip.
Some reminders about how the award is given:
- Canvassing for the award in any form is prohibited.
- If more than one person is selected for the award, the full cash award is given to each awardee.
- Wherever there is a posthumous selection, the award is presented to the next of kin.
- The department is not bound to give the award every year. If no suitable candidate is found, the award is not given for that year.
Application Process
Nominations can now be submitted online through the official portal of the Sports and Youth Services Department as well as through the offline process. For the 2025 award cycle, the department released the advertisement and guidelines on 15 May 2026, and the last date to apply was 10 July 2026, 5:00 PM. Follow these steps for the application:
STEP 1 - Visit the official website of the Sports and Youth Services Department at sports.odisha.gov.in and open the Biju Patnaik Sports Award notice to get the advertisement, guidelines and application form.
STEP 2 - Go to the online application portal at portal.sportsodisha.gov.in and register, or download the offline application form PDF from the department website. The form is also available at the office of the District Collector, DSO, SP, NYKS and Odisha Council of Sports.
STEP 3 - Fill in all the details accurately and attach the supporting documents. The form and documents must be self-attested by the applicant, and there is no need for attestation by any gazetted officer.
STEP 4 - Submit the application online through the portal, or send it through the District Collector, SP, DSO, NYKS, the concerned sports association, the Odisha Council of Sports, or directly to the Sports and Youth Services Department. The department also holds the right to suo moto nominate names for the award.
As per the award guidelines, the invitation of applications is done by 1st May and the award ceremony is held on 29 August, National Sports Day, every year.
Documents
Keep these documents ready while applying:
- Valid identity proof.
- Three recent passport-size photographs.
- Proof of residence in Odisha.
- Proof of age.
- Detailed record of sports performance at state, national or international level with self-attested photocopies of documents.
- Disability certificate, if applicable.
- Any other evidence that supports the contribution to the promotion of sports.
References
Official Website of Sports and Youth Services Department | Biju Patnaik Sports Award 2025 Notice | Advertisement and Guidelines PDF | Offline Application Form PDF | Online Application Portal
FAQ's
What is Biju Patnaik Sports Award for Lifetime Achievement in Promotion of Sports and Games?
It is a state-level honour under the Biju Patnaik Sports Award scheme, started by the Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha, to recognise the lifelong contribution of retired sportspersons to the promotion of sports.
Who is eligible to apply?
Retired sportspersons who have performed well at national or international level and continue to contribute to sports promotion in Odisha in their individual capacity are eligible. The minimum age is 45 years as on 1 January of the award year, and the applicant must be a resident of Odisha.
How much is the cash prize?
The award carries a cash prize of ₹3,00,000 along with a statue, scroll of honour, blazer and tie.
Can the application be submitted online?
Yes. The department now accepts applications online through the official portal at portal.sportsodisha.gov.in, apart from the offline process.
Are travel expenses covered for the ceremony?
Yes. Awardees receive travel and daily allowance at the rate admissible to a Grade A officer to attend the award ceremony.
Can the award be given posthumously?
Yes. If a selected individual passes away, the award can be presented to the next of kin.
What happens if the applicant has a criminal record?
A person convicted of any criminal offence is not eligible for this award.
Can an applicant apply for this award multiple times?
No. This is a lifetime achievement award, so it is conferred on an individual only once in a lifetime.