Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports gives the National Youth Award every year to young Indians and youth organizations for outstanding social service and national development work. This central award, conferred since 1985, carries a cash prize of ₹1,00,000 for individual awardees and ₹3,00,000 for voluntary youth organizations, along with a medal and certificate.
Nominations for the latest cycle, National Youth Award 2024, closed on 30 September 2025, and the winners are conferred during the National Youth Festival held in January. As of 03 August 2026, the nomination window for the next cycle has not opened yet and no fresh dates have been announced. Going by the pattern of earlier years, the portal usually opens nominations around August to September, so eligible young people and organizations should keep checking the official website awards.gov.in.
National Youth Award Overview
The award was started to motivate young persons aged between 15 and 29 years to achieve excellence in national development and social service, and to develop a sense of responsibility towards the community. It also gives recognition to the outstanding work done by voluntary organizations working with the youth for national development and social service.
The award is given for identifiable excellent work in fields like health, research and innovation, culture, promotion of human rights, arts and literature, tourism, traditional medicine, active citizenship, community service, sports, academic excellence and smart learning. Every year, up to 20 individuals and up to 5 voluntary organizations are selected for this honor. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports also runs related schemes for young people, like the National Youth Corps scheme, where youth volunteers can serve the country and get a monthly honorarium.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | National Youth Award |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual and Organization |
| Category | Social Welfare & Empowerment |
| Benefit Type | Award with Cash Prize |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports |
| Implementing Agency | Department of Youth Affairs |
| Official Website | awards.gov.in |
Benefits
Selected awardees get official recognition along with a medal, a certificate and a cash prize to support their work.
| Recipient Type | Reward |
| Individual Awardee | Medal, Certificate, and ₹1,00,000 |
| Voluntary Youth Organization | Medal, Certificate, and ₹3,00,000 |
Winners are announced during the National Youth Festival, which is held every January to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The awardee list is published on the official National Awards portal, and winning this award brings national recognition that helps young people grow in their field.
Eligibility
To be considered for the National Youth Award, the conditions given below should be met. The rules are checked on the date of nomination.
For Individuals:
- Applicant should be a citizen of India.
- Age should be between 15 and 29 years as on 1 January of the nomination year.
- Applicant should have done extraordinary and identifiable social work.
- Persons employed in Central or State Government service, PSUs, universities, colleges or schools are not eligible.
- The award is conferred only once in a lifetime.
For Voluntary Organizations:
- The organization should be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or a corresponding State Act for at least three years.
- It should be a non-profit organization with a properly constituted managing body.
- It should not have discriminated against any person on the ground of sex, religion, caste or creed.
- It should have rendered extraordinary service involving the youth in the relevant field for at least three years.
- The organization should not have been conferred this award earlier.
Application Process
Applications for the National Youth Award are submitted online through the National Awards Portal at awards.gov.in. Nominations are invited once a year, and the exact dates are announced on the portal. The process is given below.
STEP 1 - Go to the official website at awards.gov.in and click on the Registration button. Select the profile type as Individual or Organization.
STEP 2 - Fill in the registration form with correct details like Aadhaar number, mobile number and email ID. Organizations have to give a brief description of their activities along with registration details.
STEP 3 - After registration, log in to the portal using the credentials. Go to the list of awards, select the National Youth Award section and click on the Nominate or Apply Now button.
STEP 4 - Fill in all the mandatory fields, upload the supporting documents and submit the application before the last date. Save the acknowledgment or application number for future reference.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready before filling the nomination form.
- Valid proof of Date of Birth, like a birth certificate or class 10 certificate.
- Supporting documents that clearly show the outstanding achievements or social work done.
- A formal recommendation letter endorsing the contributions of the applicant.
References
For the latest guidelines, nomination dates and updates, check these official sources:
National Awards Portal (awards.gov.in) | National Youth Award Guidelines | Registration Page | Applicant Login
National Youth Awards - Official MYAS Page | MYAS Nomination Notice for National Youth Award 2024
FAQ's
What is the National Youth Award?
National Youth Award is a central honor given every year by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to young Indians and youth organizations for outstanding work in national development and social service.
Who organizes the National Youth Award?
The award is managed by the Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. Applications are submitted through the National Awards Portal at awards.gov.in.
What is the eligibility for the National Youth Award?
Applicants should be Indian citizens aged between 15 and 29 years as on 1 January of the nomination year and should have done extraordinary identifiable social work. Persons in government service are not eligible.
In which categories are the National Youth Awards conferred?
Awards are given in fields like social service, health, education, culture, arts and literature, sports, research and innovation, tourism and promotion of human rights.
How can one apply for the National Youth Award?
Nominations are invited once a year through the official portal awards.gov.in. Eligible people and organizations have to register, log in and submit the nomination online before the last date.
Is there any monetary reward with the National Youth Award?
Yes, recipients get a medal, a certificate and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000 for individuals and ₹3,00,000 for voluntary organizations.
Can organizations be honored with the National Youth Award?
Yes, voluntary youth organizations that have done extraordinary service involving the youth for at least three years are eligible.
Are nominations open right now?
As of 03 August 2026, the nomination window for the next National Youth Award cycle has not opened yet. The last cycle, National Youth Award 2024, closed on 30 September 2025. Keep checking awards.gov.in for fresh dates.