Kabir Puraskar Scheme is a national award of the Government of India that honours Indian citizens for exceptional bravery shown in saving lives and property during communal, caste, or ethnic conflicts. Government of India started this scheme in 1990, and it continues in 2026 with State Governments and Union Territory Administrations sending fresh nominations for the Kabir Puraskar Award 2026.
Kabir Puraskar awards are given in three grades, and every grade carries a cash prize, a certificate, and a citation. Grade I carries ₹2,00,000, Grade II carries ₹1,00,000, and Grade III carries ₹50,000. Names of the awardees are published in the official gazette, and the awards are announced on 2nd October every year.
Kabir Puraskar Scheme: Introduction
Kabir Puraskar Scheme was introduced by the Government of India in 1990 to recognise extraordinary acts of physical or moral courage. The purpose of the award is to promote communal, caste, and ethnic harmony by celebrating people who put human life above everything else during social conflicts. A person from one community, caste, or ethnic group who saves the lives and property of people from another community during a riot or a clash is eligible, provided the act carried personal danger.
A Screening Committee looks into every act of heroism reported by State Governments or UT Administrations and decides the grade of the award on the merits of each case. The committee includes the Union Home Secretary, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, and the Secretary in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Recommendations of the committee go to the Union Home Minister and the Prime Minister for final approval.
The award is announced on 2nd October each year, and the Prime Minister presents the honours to the recipients at a function in New Delhi. For the 2026 award cycle, State Governments and UT Administrations invited nominations, and states like Tamil Nadu collected entries online through their official state awards portal till 15th December 2025.
Key Information
| Key | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Kabir Puraskar Scheme |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 1990 |
| Level | Central |
| Target | Indian citizens of either sex |
| Beneficiary States | All states and union territories |
| Category | Social welfare and empowerment |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Implementing Agency | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Award Amount | ₹2,00,000 / ₹1,00,000 / ₹50,000 |
| Announcement | 2nd October every year |
Benefits
Selected candidates receive a cash award, a certificate, and a suitable citation. The cash award is a one-time payment, but there is no bar on receiving the award again for a separate act of bravery in the future.
| Grade | Cash Award Amount |
|---|---|
| Grade I | ₹2,00,000 |
| Grade II | ₹1,00,000 |
| Grade III | ₹50,000 |
Grade I is for the most conspicuous acts of physical or moral courage under very grave danger, including acts that result in death or permanent disability of the rescuer. Grade II recognises acts of courage that result in bodily injury, while Grade III honours acts of courage and promptitude in saving lives and property. The name of every awardee is published in the official gazette of India, which makes the award a lasting record of public service.
Eligibility
Any Indian citizen of either sex, from any walk of life, can receive Kabir Puraskar if the act of bravery happened during a communal riot, caste conflict, or ethnic clash and involved risk to the life of the rescuer. For example, if a shopkeeper from one community shields a neighbour from another community during a riot, that shopkeeper can be recommended for the award.
Members of the Armed Forces, Police Forces, recognised fire services, and government servants are generally not eligible when the act falls within the scope of their official duties. The act must come from personal courage and humanity, not from a duty that was already assigned.
Exclusions
If a person has already received another national award or citation for the very same act of bravery, that person will ordinarily not be considered for Kabir Puraskar. There is no fixed number of awards in any grade, so State Governments and UT Administrations can recommend any number of people who meet the conditions of the scheme.
Kabir Puraskar is one of the awards connected with communal harmony work under the Ministry of Home Affairs. For information on support given to child victims of such violence, check Financial Assistance to Child Victims of Communal Violence.
Application Process
Kabir Puraskar is a government-nominated honour, so self-nomination is not allowed. The process moves through the local administration to the central Screening Committee. For the 2026 award cycle, states like Tamil Nadu accepted nominations on their official online portal, and the last date for those entries was 15th December 2025.
STEP 1 - Approach the State Government or Union Territory Administration where the act of bravery happened and give full details of the act, along with the names of witnesses and supporting evidence.
STEP 2 - The State or UT officials check the details and send a formal recommendation to the Ministry of Home Affairs using the Nomination Form (Annexure I). Some states, like Tamil Nadu, collected these nominations online through the state awards portal at awards.tn.gov.in.
STEP 3 - The central Screening Committee reviews each proposal and decides the grade of the award on the merits of the act.
STEP 4 - After the committee's recommendation, the Union Home Minister and the Prime Minister give final approval, and the award is announced on 2nd October.
Documents
The nomination file is prepared by the recommending authority. Make sure the file carries the following documents and details:
- Valid identity proof of the candidate.
- Three copies of recent passport-size photographs.
- A detailed note on the act of physical or moral courage performed during communal, caste, or ethnic violence.
- Details of any past work done for communal harmony and national integration.
- The formal recommendation letter of the State Government or UT Administration.
- Any other relevant information asked by the screening authorities.
References
Official sources for Kabir Puraskar Scheme are given below:
Official Ministry of Home Affairs Schemes Page
Official Kabir Puraskar Scheme Guidelines PDF
Tamil Nadu Press Release on Kabir Puraskar Award 2026
Sivaganga District Notice on Kabir Puraskar Award 2026
Tamil Nadu State Awards Portal
FAQ's
What is Kabir Puraskar Scheme?
Kabir Puraskar Scheme is a national award started in 1990 to celebrate citizens who show extraordinary courage in protecting lives and property during communal, caste, or ethnic violence.
Who manages this scheme?
Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry responsible for managing and implementing this award.
When is the award announced?
The award is announced on 2nd October every year and presented by the Prime Minister at a function in New Delhi.
Can I apply for this award myself?
No, self-nomination is not allowed. The candidate must be recommended by the State Government or UT Administration.
Is there a limit on the number of awards?
No. There is no fixed number of awards. States and UTs can recommend any number of eligible people.
How much is the cash reward?
The award has three tiers: ₹2,00,000 for Grade I, ₹1,00,000 for Grade II, and ₹50,000 for Grade III, along with a certificate and citation.