Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is a prestigious national honour given by the Government of India to children who show exceptional talent and outstanding achievement. For PMRBP 2026, online nominations are open on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal at awards.gov.in. Any Indian child between 5 and 18 years, living in India, can be nominated by parents, teachers, schools, organisations or through self-nomination.
This national award is organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and is presented by the President of India. It gives young achievers a national platform to celebrate their courage, creativity and service to society, and it is considered one of the highest civilian honours for children in the country.
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar - Introduction
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) celebrates the energy, determination and zeal of young achievers. For the 2026 edition, the award is being given in six broad fields:
- Bravery: children who have shown courage and saved lives in difficult situations.
- Social Service: children who have worked to improve the lives of people around them.
- Environment: children who have done important work to protect nature.
- Sports: young sportspersons who have brought glory to the country.
- Art and Culture: children with outstanding talent in music, dance, art and other cultural fields.
- Science and Technology: young innovators and makers who have created useful things for society.
The awards are announced on December 26 during Veer Bal Diwas. Usually, the President of India confers the awards at a special ceremony held in New Delhi every January. Although there is a limit of about 25 awards, the National Selection Committee can adjust this number based on specific needs.
Nominations can be submitted online only through the National Awards Portal at awards.gov.in. The Ministry of Women and Child Development opened the nomination process for PMRBP 2026 in April 2026, and the last date for receiving applications was 31 July 2026. News reports say the last date has been extended to 15 August 2026, so as of August 2026 the nomination window is still open. Checking the official portal for the latest date before applying is a good idea.
Key Information
| Key Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) |
| Level | Central Government |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Women and Child Development |
| Target Beneficiaries | Indian children aged 5 to 18 years |
| Award Categories | Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art and Culture, Science and Technology |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 31 July 2026 (reportedly extended to 15 August 2026) |
| Benefit Type | Medal, certificate, citation |
| Official Website | awards.gov.in |
Benefits
Selected awardees receive a medal, a certificate and a citation as formal appreciation of their remarkable efforts and contribution to society. News reports for the 2026 edition have also mentioned a cash prize of ₹1 lakh for each awardee, given along with the medal and certificate.
The award is a lifetime honour that puts young achievers on the national stage. Apart from the appreciation, it inspires other children to take up social causes, sports, art and science with more confidence.
Eligibility
Before applying for Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, check that the child meets the conditions set by the Ministry of Women and Child Development:
- The child should be an Indian citizen and must be living in India.
- The child must be above 5 years and not more than 18 years old as on 31 July 2026.
- The achievement or act for which the nomination is made should have happened within 2 years of the closing date of nominations.
- The child should have made a notable contribution in one of the six award fields.
- Children who have already received Pradhan Mantri Bal Puraskar in any category cannot apply again.
Application Process
Nominations for Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2026 can be submitted only through the official portal. Follow the steps below to complete the online application.
Registration
STEP 1 - Visit the official website at awards.gov.in and click on the Register button at the top-right corner of the page.
STEP 2 - Fill in the registration details such as first name, last name, date of birth, applicant type (Individual or Organisation), mobile number, email ID and Aadhaar number.
STEP 3 - Enter the CAPTCHA code and click Submit. After registration, log in to the portal using the OTP or credentials received.
How to Apply
STEP 1 - Login to the official portal at Candidate Login page using your credentials.
STEP 2 - Look for Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2026 under Ongoing Nominations and click Nominate / Apply Now.
STEP 3 - Select the relevant field and sub-field, and choose whether the nomination is for the child itself or for another child.
STEP 4 - Fill in the nominee details, write a short description of the achievement and its impact (up to 1000 words), and upload a recent photograph in jpg, jpeg or png format along with supporting documents in PDF format.
STEP 5 - Review the completed form, save it as a draft if needed, and click Submit. A downloadable copy of the application is generated after final submission for records.
Documents Required
Keep the following documents ready before starting the online nomination:
- A copy of the birth certificate of the child.
- A copy of the Aadhaar card and a recent passport size photograph.
- A school leaving certificate or bonafide certificate from the current school.
- A formal certificate from the school or institution confirming the child's outstanding contribution.
- A detailed write-up of the achievements with supporting evidence such as news reports, photographs, certificates or trophies.
- A recommendation letter from an eminent person or the nominating organisation. Schools, district administrations, state governments and other authorised bodies can also recommend children.
References
Use these official links and documents for the latest information on Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2026:
- Official Rashtriya Puraskar Portal for registration and nomination.
- PIB notification on call for nominations 2026.
- PIB release on PMRBP 2026 last date and application steps.
- New registration page on the official portal.
- Award Library and past awardees list.
- Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2026 Guidelines PDF.
FAQ's
What is Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar?
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is a national honour given by the Government of India to children who have achieved something remarkable in fields like bravery, sports, art, science, social service and environment.
Who organizes this award?
The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, manages this award, and the President of India presents it to the children at a ceremony in New Delhi.
What are the award categories for 2026?
PMRBP 2026 is given in six categories: Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art and Culture, and Science and Technology.
Who is eligible for nomination?
Any Indian citizen living in India, aged 5 to 18 years as on 31 July 2026, who has shown exceptional achievement within the last two years, can be nominated. Children who have already won Pradhan Mantri Bal Puraskar in any category cannot apply again.
Is there a cash reward?
Awardees receive a medal, a certificate and a citation. News reports for the 2026 edition have also mentioned a cash prize of ₹1 lakh for each awardee.
How can I apply?
Visit the official portal at awards.gov.in, register with an Aadhaar-linked mobile number and email, select Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2026 under Ongoing Nominations, fill the form and submit it online.
Who can submit a nomination?
Any individual or organisation can submit a nomination. Schools, educational institutions, district administrations, state governments, union ministries, MPs, governors, chief ministers and other authorised bodies can also recommend children. Self-nomination is allowed too.
What documents are needed for nomination?
Keep a birth certificate, Aadhaar card, a recent passport size photograph, school leaving or bonafide certificate, a school recommendation certificate, written proof of achievements and a recommendation letter from an eminent person ready in PDF format.
