Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

<p>Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is the highest sporting honour in India. Instituted in 1991-1992, it is conferred every year by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to recognise the most outstanding performance by a sportsperson over a four year period.</p><p>Formerly called the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, it was renamed on 6 August 2021 in honour of hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand (1905-1979). The President of India presents the award at Rashtrapati Bhavan. A cash prize of ₹25,00,000 comes with it along with a medallion and a certificate.</p><p>Latest winners for 2024 are shooter Manu Bhaker, chess grandmaster D Gukesh, hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para athlete Praveen Kumar. The list was announced on 2 January 2025 and the award was conferred on 17 January 2025.</p><p>Nominations for the National Sports Awards 2026 are being invited by the Ministry through the official awards portal. For the 2025 cycle, the last date for this award was extended up to 11 November 2025 for deaf sportspersons. The award is given for spectacular and outstanding performance in sports at the international level, including the Olympic, Asian, Commonwealth and World Games or Championships.</p><h2>Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award - Introduction</h2><p>This award celebrates excellence in individual sports over the four years immediately preceding the year of the award. It was given for the performance of a single year at the start. The criteria were changed in February 2015 to look at performance over a period of four years. During the years when Olympic, Commonwealth or Asian Games are held, the achievements of sportspersons up to the end of these games are taken into account.</p><p>A twelve member committee set up by the Ministry checks the performances, gives scores and then sends its recommendations to the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for final approval. The cash prize was raised to ₹25 lakh in 2020, and this amount stays for the 2026-27 cycle.</p><h3>Key Information</h3><table><thead><tr><th>Detail</th><th>Information</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Scheme Name</td><td>Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award</td></tr><tr><td>Level</td><td>Central</td></tr><tr><td>Nodal Ministry</td><td>Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports</td></tr><tr><td>Frequency</td><td>Annual</td></tr><tr><td>Cash Prize</td><td>₹25,00,000</td></tr><tr><td>Last Winners (2024)</td><td>Manu Bhaker, D Gukesh, Harmanpreet Singh, Praveen Kumar</td></tr><tr><td>Application Mode</td><td>Online through awards.gov.in</td></tr></tbody></table><h3>Benefits</h3><p>The winner receives the following components of the award:</p><ul><li>A cash prize of ₹25,00,000, which is exempt from Income Tax and Wealth Tax for the year of payment.</li><li>A formal Certificate of Honour from the Government of India.</li><li>A commemorative medal presented to the sportsperson.</li></ul><p>The Government of India decides the time and place of the award ceremony. The award is usually given on National Sports Day, 29 August.</p><h3>Eligibility</h3><ol><li>Sportsperson must show spectacular and most outstanding performance over the four years before the year of the award.</li><li>Performance counts at international events such as Olympic, Asian, Commonwealth and World Games, Championships or similar recognised tournaments.</li><li>Sportsperson must not have any pending inquiry or penalty linked to the use of drugs or banned substances under WADA or NADA rules.</li><li>The award is meant for individual excellence in sports.</li></ol><h3>Exclusions</h3><p>The award cannot be given a second time to the same person. Any form of canvassing for an entry leads to immediate disqualification. The committee may also suggest the award posthumously when required.</p><h3>Application Process</h3><p>Nominations are invited every year by the Ministry. They are mostly sent by recognised National Sports Federations, the Indian Olympic Association, the Sports Authority of India and state governments. For cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India sends the names. The award portal opens the online application window and the last date is usually 30 April.</p><p><strong>STEP 1</strong> - Open the official awards portal at awards.gov.in and register using a mobile number for OTP verification.</p><p><strong>STEP 2</strong> - Log in with the credentials sent to the registered email ID and update the profile with personal details.</p><p><strong>STEP 3</strong> - Go to the schemes or nomination section and choose Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.</p><p><strong>STEP 4</strong> - Fill in the nomination form, attach performance records and upload the required documents.</p><p><strong>STEP 5</strong> - Submit the form before the deadline. Employers of government or PSU sportspersons must add a vigilance clearance certificate with the application.</p><h3>Documents</h3><p>A set of documents needs to be uploaded along with the nomination. Common requirements are given below.</p><ul><li>Proof of date of birth.</li><li>Recent passport size photograph in JPEG, PNG or JPG format with a maximum size of 5 MB.</li><li>Scanned signature in JPEG, PNG or JPG format with a maximum size of 250 KB.</li><li>Vigilance certificate for government or PSU employees.</li><li>Certificates of international achievements and a signed undertaking by the sportsperson.</li></ul><h3>References</h3><ul><li><a href="https://awards.gov.in/" target="_blank">National Awards Portal</a> for online nominations.</li></ul><h3>FAQ&#039;s</h3><h4>What is the current cash prize for the Khel Ratna Award?</h4><p>The cash prize for the award is ₹25,00,000, paid along with a medallion and a certificate.</p><h4>Can an athlete win this award more than once?</h4><p>No, the award cannot be conferred a second time to the same person.</p><h4>Are posthumous awards allowed?</h4><p>Yes, the selection committee may recommend the award posthumously when the situation calls for it.</p><h4>Who were the latest winners of this award?</h4><p>The 2024 winners are shooter Manu Bhaker, chess grandmaster D Gukesh, hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para athlete Praveen Kumar.</p><h4>How is the selection process checked?</h4><p>The Ministry does character and vigilance verification for all nominees through the Sports Authority of India and police authorities to make sure of due diligence.</p><h4>What if a National Sports Federation is under suspension?</h4><p>When an NSF is de-recognised or suspended, the Sports Authority of India exercises the nomination quota with approval from the Director General.</p>