India has a rich sporting culture, and to recognize the outstanding contributions of athletes and coaches, the government has instituted several prestigious awards.
These highest awards in Indian sports honor excellence, dedication, and achievements across various disciplines.
In this blog, we will explore the list of sports awards in India, their significance, past winners, and other interesting details. If you are searching for the highest award in Indian sports, you are in the right place!
Top 7 Sport Awards in India
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (Now Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award)
The highest award in Indian sports, the Khel Ratna Award, was instituted in 1991-92 to recognize athletes for their exceptional performances. In 2021, it was renamed after Major Dhyan Chand, India’s hockey legend.
Eligibility & Criteria:
- Awarded for four years of outstanding performance at the international level.
- Given to individual athletes or teams.
Notable Winners:
- Sachin Tendulkar Awards – Won the Khel Ratna in 1997-98, becoming the first cricketer to receive it.
- P.V. Sindhu (Badminton) – 2016
- Neeraj Chopra (Javelin) – 2021
This award is the most prestigious among the list of sports awards in India and is often compared to the highest award in sports in the world like the Laureus World Sports Awards.
Arjuna Award – India’s 2nd Highest Sports Award
The 2nd highest sports award in India, the Arjuna Award, was established in 1961. It honors outstanding achievements in sports and consistently excellent performances over at least four years.
Top 10 Famous Indian Sports Persons & Their Achievements
- Recognizes consistent performance at national and international levels.
- Also considers qualities like leadership and sportsmanship.
Notable Winners:
- Virat Kohli (Cricket) – 2013
- Mary Kom (Boxing) – 2003
- Sunil Chhetri (Football) – 2011
If you are looking for a list of sports awards in India PDF, the Arjuna Award features prominently as it has recognized hundreds of athletes since its inception.
Dronacharya Award – Honoring India’s Best Coaches
Named after the legendary guru from the Mahabharata, the Dronacharya Award is given to outstanding coaches in sports. It recognizes their role in shaping champions.
Eligibility & Criteria:
- Given in two categories: Lifetime and Regular achievements.
- Coaches who have produced medal-winning athletes at major events are preferred.
Notable Winners:
- Pullela Gopichand (Badminton) – 2009
- Ramakant Achrekar (Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar’s coach) – 1990
- Satpal Singh (Wrestling) – 2009
Coaches are the backbone of an athlete’s success, and this award is a crucial part of the list of sports awards in India.
Dhyan Chand Award – Lifetime Achievement in Sports
The Dhyan Chand Award is a lifetime achievement award for athletes who have contributed immensely to Indian sports. It is named after hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
Eligibility & Criteria:
- Awarded to retired athletes for their contribution post-retirement.
- Recognizes outstanding service to sports in India.
Notable Winners:
- Tulsidas Balaram (Football) – 2019
- K.K. Poonacha (Athletics) – 2021
- Virender Singh (Wrestling) – 2021
For those searching for the highest award in Indian sports, this award is among the most prestigious honors given to retired athletes.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (MAKA) – Best Sports University Award
The MAKA Trophy is unique among the list of sports awards in India as it is awarded to universities for outstanding contributions to sports.
Eligibility & Criteria:
- Given to the best-performing university in inter-university sports.
- Promotes grassroots-level sports development.
Recent Winners:
- Punjabi University, Patiala – 2019
- Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar – 2021
This award has helped universities across India promote sports at the college level.
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar – Encouraging Sports Development
The Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar is given to organizations and individuals who promote sports in India.
Eligibility & Criteria:
- Recognizes efforts in grassroots sports development.
- Encourages private and public sector contributions.
Notable Winners:
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) – 2019
- Railways Sports Promotion Board – 2021
This award is important in building a sports culture in India.
Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award – Recognizing Excellence in Adventure Sports
Named after mountaineering legend Tenzing Norgay, this award honors excellence in adventure sports.
Eligibility & Criteria:
- Given for achievements in adventure sports like mountaineering, skydiving, and sailing.
- Recognizes both land and water-based adventure activities.
Notable Winners:
- Love Raj Singh Dharmshaktu (Mountaineering) – 2019
- Sheetal Mahajan (Skydiving) – 2021
This award is India’s highest recognition for adventure sports.
Highest Award in Indian Sports Winners and Their Impact
The highest award in Indian sports winners have inspired millions of young athletes to pursue their dreams. Awards like the Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award have elevated sports in India, motivating players across disciplines.
For those looking for a list of sports awards in India PDF, you can find official details on the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports website.
Comparison: Highest Award in Indian Sports vs. Highest Award in Sports in the World
While India has the highest award in Indian sports, globally, there are prestigious awards like:
- Laureus World Sports Awards – Given to the best athletes globally.
- Ballon d’Or – For the best footballer of the year.
- Olympic Gold Medal – The ultimate prize in sports.
India’s awards recognize national talent, while global awards acknowledge the best in the world.
Most Player of the Match Awards in IPL – A Notable Mention
While discussing the highest award in Indian sports, it’s worth highlighting achievements in cricket, especially the most player of the match awards in IPL.
This title is currently held by Virat Kohli, who has delivered match-winning performances consistently. His ability to dominate bowlers, anchor innings, and lead his team to victory has made him one of the most popular Indian sports persons.
His records in the IPL further solidify his legendary status in Indian cricket.
Significance of the Highest Award in Indian Sports
These awards enhance India’s global presence in sports:
- The highest award in Indian sports plays a key role in shaping India’s sporting culture and recognizing excellence.
- Awards like the Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Award provide national recognition, financial rewards, and government support.
- These honors promote sports beyond cricket, boosting disciplines like badminton, wrestling, and athletics.
- Sachin Tendulkar Awards and P.V. Sindhu’s achievements have inspired aspiring athletes.
- Dronacharya Award acknowledges the contributions of coaches in Indian sports.
Future of Sports Awards in India
India’s highest award in the Indian sports system is evolving as new sports gain popularity and athletes excel globally. Enhanced training, coaching, and government support are driving this progress. Discussions on awards for e-sports, para-sports, and adventure sports aim to make the list of sports awards in India more inclusive.
Increased financial aid, scholarships, and pensions ensure a secure future for athletes. With India’s success in global events like the Olympics, the future of Indian sports awards looks promising.
Conclusion
The highest award in Indian sports serves as a great motivator for athletes, coaches, and organizations to excel in their respective fields. From the Khel Ratna Award to the Arjuna Award, these honors celebrate India’s sports legends.
For those interested in the highest award in Indian sports, Wikipedia, the Ministry of Sports and the Government of India regularly update details on these prestigious honors.
Which award do you think has the biggest impact? Let us know in the comments!
Reference:
Wikipedia.org
Bighit.fans
Olympics.com
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What is the highest prize money in sports in India?
The Khel Ratna Award carries the highest prize money in Indian sports, with winners receiving ₹25 lakh from the Indian government. Other awards, like the Arjuna Award and Dronacharya Award, also offer financial rewards, supporting athletes’ careers and post-retirement security.
Which is India's highest award?
India’s highest award in Indian sports is the Khel Ratna Award for athletes. However, the Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian honor, given for exceptional national contributions, including sports. Sachin Tendulkar is the only sportsperson to receive the Bharat Ratna.
What is the difference between Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award?
The Khel Ratna Award is India’s highest award in Indian sports, given for international excellence over four years. The Arjuna Award recognizes consistent national and international performance over three years. The Khel Ratna has higher prestige and prize money than the Arjuna Award.
Who is the youngest Arjuna Award winner in India?
The youngest Arjuna Award winner in India is Abhinav Bindra, who received the award in 2001 at just 18 years old. The Olympic gold medalist in shooting set an example for young athletes aspiring to achieve greatness in Indian sports
