2 weeks ago
Sports Ministry Set to Begin 2026 National Awards Nominations
The Sports Ministry gives awards to athletes who perform very well.
It plans to start taking nominations for the 2026 awards next month.
The 2025 awards were announced much later than expected because the Ministry reviewed the recommendations again.
No athlete received the top Khel Ratna award in 2025.
The Ministry approved 17 Arjuna Awardees, which was fewer than the selection committee had suggested.
Officials said the awards should be based on sporting merit.
Most of the scoring comes from medals won at major competitions during the previous four years.
Chess player Divya Deshmukh, athlete Tejaswin Shankar and badminton player Gayatri Gopichand were among the Arjuna Awardees.
The Sports Ministry is likely to open nominations for the 2026 National Sports Awards next month.
The 2025 awards were announced after a delay of more than six months and a Ministry-led re-evaluation.
No athlete received the 2025 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, while 17 Arjuna Awardees were approved.
Award evaluations give 80% weight to medals from Olympic, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games events over four years.
Notable 2025 Arjuna Awardees include Divya Deshmukh, Tejaswin Shankar and Gayatri Gopichand.
- Who
- The Sports Ministry, the Justice Arun Mishra-led selection committee and Indian sportspersons seeking National Sports Awards.
- What
- The Ministry is preparing to begin nominations for the 2026 awards after re-evaluating the 2025 recommendations.
- Where
- India, through the online National Sports Awards nomination process.
- When
- Nominations are likely to begin next month; the 2025 awards were announced on Tuesday after a delay of more than six months.
- Why
- The Ministry said it wants the awards to preserve integrity and recognize athletes on the basis of performance and merit.
Sports Ministry position
Selection committee recommendations
Final award list
Sports Ministry position
The Ministry said committee recommendations are not binding and approved 17 Arjuna Awardees after re-evaluation, with no 2025 Khel Ratna recipient.
Selection committee recommendations
The Justice Arun Mishra-led committee had recommended 24 Arjuna Awardees, seven more than the Ministry ultimately approved.
Basis for recognition
Sports Ministry position
The Ministry said the re-evaluation was intended to ensure that awards were given only on merit and to preserve their integrity.
Selection committee recommendations
The committee's recommendations represented its assessment of eligible athletes before the Ministry conducted its additional review.
Key facts
- 2026 nomination timing
- The process is likely to start next month, although no specific date was given.
- 2025 Khel Ratna
- No athlete was named for the 2025 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna.
- 2025 Arjuna Awards
- The Ministry approved 17 awardees, seven fewer than the selection committee recommended.
- Evaluation weighting
- Medals from Olympic, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games events account for 80% of the assessment.
- Performance period
- Results from four years are considered for both the Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards.
- Award amounts
- The Khel Ratna includes a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh, while the Arjuna Award includes Rs 15 lakh.
Quotes
Ministry source
An unnamed source from the Sports Ministry
“As has been our position, awards should only be on merit of performance. This re‑evaluation was a reflection of that resolve. The committee's recommendations are not binding on the Ministry.”
rediff.com
Sources
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