Major National Sports Awards and Athlete Support
India’s national sports awards recognise outstanding performance by athletes, coaching excellence, and contribution to sports promotion. Administered by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, these honours are a key part of the country’s sports recognition framework.
National Sports Awards Framework and Prize Structure
The Union government confers several national-level sports awards every year to honour sporting excellence and support systems behind athletic success. These awards are presented by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan and are designed to recognise both achievement and long-term contribution to sport.
| Award Name | Core Objective / Eligibility | Cash Prize |
| Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award | Spectacular and most outstanding performance over four years | ₹25 lakh |
| Arjuna Award | Consistent outstanding performance over four years | ₹15 lakh |
| Arjuna Award (Lifetime) | Lifetime contribution to sports promotion and development | ₹15 lakh |
| Dronacharya Award | Outstanding and meritorious work in sports coaching | ₹15 lakh |
| Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award | Outstanding achievements in land, water and air adventure | ₹15 lakh |
Important fact: The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award carries the highest cash prize among the national sports awards, at ₹25 lakh.
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)
The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is the Ministry’s support system for elite athletes. It is managed through a dedicated structure within the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to provide training, logistics and performance-related assistance in a coordinated manner.
- Single nodal structure: TOPS acts as the central support mechanism for elite athletes across Olympic sports disciplines.
- Athlete support: Selected athletes receive a monthly out-of-pocket allowance of ₹50,000 to meet training-cycle expenses.
- Financial allocation: The government allocated ₹125 crore over the previous five financial years for training and preparation support.
- LA 2028 focus: The scheme supports a pool of 369 elite athletes preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Two categories: Athletes are divided into the Core Group and Development Group, depending on medal prospects and future potential.
Administrative Reforms and NSF Directives
Recent reforms have aimed to make athlete selection and award recognition more transparent, objective and accountable. These measures have also expanded the scope of coaching recognition and tightened procedures for national sports federations.
- Dronacharya Award coverage: The eligibility now extends to grassroots and developmental-level coaches to encourage early talent identification.
- MAKA Trophy: The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy is linked to performance in the Khelo India University Games and goes to the top-performing university.
- Selection policy disclosure: National Sports Federations (NSFs) must publish event selection policies on their official websites at least three months before major international competitions.
- Video recording: All selection trials conducted by NSFs must be recorded in high-definition video to reduce disputes and improve fairness.
Other Important Awards and Categories
- Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar: Recognises contributions in sports promotion through corporate social responsibility, employment of sportspersons, nurturing of young talent, and sports for development.
- Dronacharya Award categories: The award is given in Regular and Lifetime categories, with equal cash prize under the updated structure.
- Tenzing Norgay categories: The award recognises achievements in Land Adventure, Water Adventure, Air Adventure and Lifetime Achievement.
- Lifetime recognition: The former Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement was discontinued in 2024 and replaced by the Arjuna Award (Lifetime).
Key Prelims Takeaways
- Nodal ministry: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports administers national sports awards and support schemes.
- Highest honour: The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award carries a cash prize of ₹25 lakh.
- Uniform prize: The Arjuna Award, Arjuna Award (Lifetime), Dronacharya Award and Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award carry ₹15 lakh each.
- TOPS agency: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) hosts the dedicated unit managing TOPS operations.
- TOPS allowance: Elite athletes under TOPS receive ₹50,000 per month as out-of-pocket assistance.
- Selection rules: NSFs must publish selection policies three months in advance and record trials in high-definition video.
- MAKA Trophy: It is awarded to the top-performing university in the Khelo India University Games.
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