Sardar Patel National Unity Award

Sardar Patel National Unity Award is the highest civilian honour in India given to individuals or institutions showing outstanding dedication to the unity and integrity of the country. Ministry of Home Affairs runs this award every year, and the Government of India has already invited nominations for the 2026 edition through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal at awards.gov.in.

The 2026 nomination window opened on 1 June 2026 and closed on 31 July 2026. The award winner will be announced on 31 October 2026, which marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and is celebrated as National Unity Day.

Sardar Patel National Unity Award - Introduction

The Government of India set up this award in 2019 through the Ministry of Home Affairs. It recognises the notable and inspiring work done by citizens, institutions and organisations to promote national unity and integrity, and to reinforce the value of a strong and united India. This award highlights the ideal that keeping the nation together is a duty for every citizen.

Key Information

Given below are the main details of the award at a glance.

Benefits

The recognition carries the following elements for the selected awardee:

• Conferment of the award by the President of India, who presents a Sanad (Certificate) under his hand and seal.
• A specially designed medallion in the shape of a lotus leaf, six centimetre long, made of fine silver and gold, with the portrait of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on one side and the State Emblem of India on the other.
• Not more than 3 awards are given in a single year.
• A commemorative brochure carrying the photograph and citation of the award winner is released on the day of the presentation ceremony.

Eligibility

To be considered for the award, the following criteria must be met:

• Any citizen of India is eligible without any difference of religion, race, caste, gender, place of birth, age or occupation. Any institution or organization based in India can also apply.
• The nominee must have made outstanding efforts and a notable contribution to promote and further the cause of national unity and integrity.
• The work should serve as an inspiration to others and reinforce the value of a strong and united India.
• Any Indian national, institution or organization can nominate someone, and individuals can also nominate themselves.

Application Process

Nominations and recommendations for the 2026 edition were submitted online only through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal at awards.gov.in. The process for the next edition will follow similar steps:

STEP 1 - Go to the official Awards Portal at awards.gov.in and open the ongoing nominations section for Sardar Patel National Unity Award.

STEP 2 - Register or log in on the portal as a nominator or recommending authority using valid credentials.

STEP 3 - Fill in the nomination form with the complete details of the individual or institution being nominated.

STEP 4 - Upload the required supporting documents, including the citation and necessary certifications, and submit the nomination before the closing date.

Selection Process

A Screening Committee set up in the Ministry of Home Affairs processes the applications for eligibility and completeness, and prepares a brief profile of each nomination. It also verifies the authenticity of the work claimed and searches for other deserving candidates. After that, the shortlisted applications are placed before the Award Committee, and the final candidates are checked by the investigating agencies of the Government to make sure their character and record are above board.

Documents

During nomination, the following documents and details are generally required:

• A detailed citation summarising the achievements of the nominee.
• Supporting material showing the contributions made toward national unity and integrity.
• Identity proof for individual nominees.
• Registration certificates for institutions or organizations.
• Letters of recommendation, if a nominator provides them.
• Relevant media coverage, publications or reports.

References

For official guidelines and updates, refer to the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.

• Sardar Patel National Unity Award 2026 details on Awards Portal
• ANI News - Nominations for Sardar Patel National Unity Award 2026

FAQ's

Who instituted the Sardar Patel National Unity Award?

Government of India set up this award in 2019, and it is run by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

When is the award announced?

The award is announced on 31 October every year, observed as National Unity Day.

Who can receive the award?

Any Indian citizen, institution or organization that has made significant contributions to national unity is eligible.

How many awards are given each year?

Not more than 3 awards are conferred in a single year.

Where are nominations submitted?

Nominations are submitted online through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal at awards.gov.in.

What were the 2026 nomination dates?

The 2026 nomination window was open from 1 June 2026 to 31 July 2026.

Is there any monetary reward associated with the award?

No, there is no monetary reward. The award focuses on the honour, the medallion and the Sanad.

Who presents the award?

The award is presented by the President of India in a presentation ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.