Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment invites nominations for Vayoshreshtha Samman Iconic Mother Award every year to appreciate women senior citizens who raised high-achieving children under tough life conditions. Awardees get a cash prize of ₹2,50,000, a citation and a memento from the President of India on 1st October at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
This is one of the 13 categories under Vayoshreshtha Samman. Nominations open on 1st November and the last date is 31st January every year. Applications go through the Rashtriya Puruskar Portal at awards.gov.in, and self-nominations are not allowed.
Vayoshreshtha Samman Iconic Mother Award 2026
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment under Government of India runs this award scheme to appreciate senior citizens and organisations doing outstanding work for the elderly. Iconic Mother is a special individual category for mothers aged 60 years or above who brought up their children well even in tough life situations and helped them do well in their chosen fields.
Awards are given on International Day of Older Persons which falls on 1st October. Along with the cash award of ₹2,50,000, the Central Government pays for travel and stay of the awardee and one companion. Travel support is given at par with a Joint Secretary to Government of India.
Nominations must come from Government Ministries, State Governments, past National Award winners or members of National Council of Senior Citizens. Nominee cannot apply directly on her own.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Vayoshreshtha Samman - Iconic Mother Award |
| Launched By | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India |
| Eligible People | Women senior citizens aged 60 years or above |
| Cash Prize | ₹2,50,000 with citation and memento |
| Application Mode | Online through awards.gov.in |
| Nomination Dates | 1st November to 31st January |
| Award Date | 1st October (International Day of Older Persons) |
| Official Website | awards.gov.in |
How to Apply for Iconic Mother Award Online
Nominations for Iconic Mother Award are accepted only through the Rashtriya Puruskar Portal at awards.gov.in. Follow the steps below to send a nomination.
STEP 1 - Go to the official website at awards.gov.in and click on the 'Register' link at the top right corner of the homepage.
STEP 2 - Fill in the required details, tick the declaration checkboxes, enter the captcha code and click 'Submit'. Verify your mobile number and get your login details.
STEP 3 - Log in to the portal with your credentials. From the list of awards, select 'Vayoshreshtha Samman - National Awards for Senior Citizens' and click 'Nominate / Apply Now'.
STEP 4 - Pick the 'Iconic Mother' category. Fill in all the required fields in the online form including personal details, work done and achievements of the children.
STEP 5 - Upload the required documents, review the full form once and click 'Submit' to send the nomination.
Benefits of Vayoshreshtha Samman Iconic Mother Award
Each awardee gets a cash prize of ₹2,50,000, a formal citation and a memento. Award is presented by the President of India or the Prime Minister at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Travel and stay support is also given by the Central Government. Awardee and one companion get to-and-fro travel reimbursement and accommodation for up to one day before and after the ceremony. Travel status matches that of a Joint Secretary to Government of India.
Eligibility for Iconic Mother Award
Before sending a nomination, check who can apply for this award. Basic conditions are listed below.
- Nominee must be a woman senior citizen of age 60 years or above.
- She should have brought up her children under tough life situations and helped them become high achievers in their chosen fields.
- She should have given her children strong values and ethics during difficult times.
- Her life and work should be respected by society.
- She should have worked for the protection, promotion and support of the girl child.
Self-nominations are not accepted. Nomination must come from an approved body like a Government Ministry, State Government, past National Award winner or a member of National Council of Senior Citizens.
Documents Required
Keep the following documents ready before starting the online nomination form on awards.gov.in.
- Aadhaar Card of the nominee
- Recent passport size photograph
- Detailed bio-data with life story
- Proof of age like birth certificate or passport
- Proof of address
- Educational qualification certificates
- Proof of professional work experience
- Details of work done over the last three years
- Details of any prior awards or honours received
Award Categories under Vayoshreshtha Samman
Vayoshreshtha Samman has 13 categories in total, split into institutional and individual groups. Institutional awards go to organisations, panchayats, urban bodies, private and public sector groups and state governments working for the elderly.
Individual awards cover Centenarian, Iconic Mother, Lifetime Achievement, Creative Art, Sports and Adventure (one each for Male and Female) and Courage and Bravery (one each for Male and Female). Along with this award, senior citizens can also check other support schemes like the NSAP Scheme for old age pension and state-level plans like the Mukhyamantri Vridha Pension Yojana Bihar.
Selection Process and Key Dates
Nomination window opens on 1st November every year. Last date to submit the online nomination is 31st January. A Screening Committee inside the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment first goes through all the nominations. A final Selection Committee, chaired by the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, picks the awardees.
Award ceremony is held on 1st October at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Application form must be filled only in Hindi or English.
References
Invitation for Nominations and User Manual
FAQ's
What is the cash prize amount for Iconic Mother Award?
Award includes a cash prize of ₹2,50,000 along with a citation and a memento.
When is Vayoshreshtha Samman given every year?
Award is conferred on 1st October every year, which is also International Day of Older Persons.
Can I nominate myself for the Iconic Mother Award?
No, self-nominations are not accepted. Only recognised bodies like Government Ministries, State Governments, past National Award winners or members of National Council of Senior Citizens can send nominations.
What is the age limit for Iconic Mother Award?
Nominee must be a woman senior citizen aged 60 years or above.
Where is the award ceremony held?
Award ceremony is held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. President of India or the Prime Minister presents the award.
How many categories are there under Vayoshreshtha Samman?
There are 13 categories in total, split into 7 institutional and 6 individual categories.
In which language should the application form be filled?
Form must be filled only in Hindi or English.
Are travel expenses of the awardee paid by the government?
Yes, the Central Government pays for to-and-fro travel and stay of the awardee and one companion for one day before and after the ceremony.