Sagar Samman Award for Excellence is the second highest honour in the Indian maritime sector, given every year to individuals who have made outstanding and sustained contributions of a very high order over time. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, through the Directorate General of Shipping, presents this award during the National Maritime Day celebrations held each year on 5 April.
For the year 2026, the nomination window on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal ran from 1 January 2026 to 28 February 2026, and the award was conferred at the 63rd National Maritime Day celebrations in April 2026. This scheme continues to encourage strong leadership, new ideas and all-round development in India's maritime industry.
Sagar Samman Award for Excellence - Introduction
This award is meant to appreciate professionals and business entities whose work has made a measurable difference to the maritime sector. The focus is on consistent, high-quality performance that covers leadership, innovation and human resource development rather than a single achievement.
Since 2025, all nominations for the Sagar Samman Awards are submitted online through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal at awards.gov.in. The same online module is used for the Varuna Award, the Award for Excellence and the Award for Gallantry, and it lets applicants track their submission status and get updates on time.
Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Sagar Samman Award for Excellence |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Infrastructure |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Skills and Employment, Business and Entrepreneurship |
| Target Beneficiaries | Individuals, Business Entities |
| Benefit Type | Appreciation (In-kind) |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways |
| Nomination Window 2026 | 1 January 2026 to 28 February 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online via Rashtriya Puraskar Portal |
Benefits
Winners of this award receive a set of honours that carry national weight in the maritime community. These are given out at the National Maritime Day ceremony and are a strong mark of standing in the sector.
- Prestigious national appreciation that is recognised across the shipping industry.
- Official citation certificate that records the contribution of the awardee.
- Commemorative ship model along with a certificate of excellence.
Eligibility
Any individual or business body working in the maritime field can be considered for this award. The nomination must show that the person or entity has added real value to the sector over a period of time.
- Applicant must be an Indian national or a Person of Indian Origin (PIO).
- Applicant must show a history of consistent, high-level contributions to maritime work.
- Applicant must have brought measurable improvements in maritime leadership, innovation or human resource development.
Exclusions
Government officers are not eligible to receive this award.
Application Process
STEP 1 - Go to the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal at awards.gov.in and click on the 'Register' button at the top right corner of the home page.
STEP 2 - Choose 'Individual' or 'Organisation' depending on who is nominating, and fill in the name, date of birth and other required details.
STEP 3 - Enter the Aadhaar number or select the other identity option, upload the identity document, enter the captcha and submit the registration form.
STEP 4 - Enter the OTP received on the registered mobile number, create a password and log in to the portal.
STEP 5 - Under 'Nominations for Ongoing Awards', click on Sagar Samman Award, select the award category and fill in the details of the person being nominated.
STEP 6 - Preview the application form, tick the declaration box and click 'Final Submit' to complete the nomination.
Documents
Keep the following papers ready before starting the online nomination, since they have to be uploaded along with the form.
- Current bio-data or curriculum vitae of the nominee.
- Minimum of two recommendation letters from the maritime community.
- Proof of citizenship for PIO/OCI applicants.
- Comprehensive report detailing the professional contributions of the nominee.
- Signed self-declaration and undertaking.
References
For the full nomination process and online module details, refer to the official NMDC circular on the online module for Sagar Samman Awards.
The general award details and the award calendar on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal list the nomination dates and contact details.
For the 2026 conferment, the Press Information Bureau release confirms that the Sagar Samman Award for Excellence was presented at the 63rd National Maritime Day celebrations in April 2026.
FAQ's
Who is eligible to apply for the award?
Individuals and business entities actively working in maritime activities with demonstrated excellence are eligible. Government officers are not eligible.
What specific contributions does the award highlight?
The award appreciates contributions in maritime innovation, leadership, sustainability and sector development that have been sustained over time.
Is it possible to nominate myself?
Yes, self-nomination for the Sagar Samman Award for Excellence is allowed through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.
How do I submit an application?
All nominations are submitted online at awards.gov.in. There is no offline process.
Is there an application fee?
No, there is no application fee for this award.
How is the selection process conducted?
An expert committee appointed by the nodal authority reviews all applications and decides the awardees.
What is included in this award package?
Recipients receive a citation, a commemorative ship model and a certificate of excellence.
When is the recipient announced?
The awards are announced at the National Maritime Day celebrations held on 5 April each year.
What is the primary objective of this scheme?
The objective is to encourage a culture of excellence and promote best practices within the national maritime ecosystem.
Can my application be rejected?
Yes, applications that are incomplete, incorrect or fail to meet the eligibility requirements will be rejected.