---
type: LearningResource
title: "Indian Sports Awards and Honours 2024-25: Complete Guide to Khel Ratna, Arjuna & Major Awards"
canonical: "https://www.easy2crack.com/study-materials/awards-and-honours/indian-sports-awards-honours-2024-25-complete-agSTfY0c"
subject: Awards and Honours
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tags: ["study-material", "notes", "awards-and-honours"]
---
# Indian Sports Awards and Honours 2024-25: Complete Guide to Khel Ratna, Arjuna & Major Awards

## Major National Sports Awards of India

## 1. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (formerly Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna)

- Overview: The highest sporting honor of the Republic of India, awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
- History: Instituted in 1991–92. Formerly named after the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
- Prize Details: Consists of a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize (upwards of ₹7.5 lakh as of 2016; subsequently revised to ₹25 lakh).
- First Recipient: Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand (Chess) for the year 1991–92.

## 2. Dhyan Chand Award

- Overview: India's highest award for lifetime achievement in sports and games, named in honor of legendary field hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.
- History: Initiated in 2002.
- Prize Details: Carries a cash prize of ₹5 lakh, a statuette, and a scroll of honor.
- Inaugural Recipients (2002):

## 3. Arjuna Award

- Overview: Conferred by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to recognize outstanding achievements in national and international sports.
- History: Instituted in 1961.
- Prize Details: Carries a cash prize of ₹5 lakh (subsequently revised), a bronze statuette of Arjuna, and a scroll.
- Notable Recipient: Krishna Das (Archery) was honored with the award in 1981.

## 4. Dronacharya Award

- Overview: Conferred annually by the Government of India for excellence in sports coaching.
- History: Instituted in 1985.
- Prize Details: Consists of a bronze statuette of Dronacharya, a scroll of honor, and a cash prize of ₹7 lakh (subsequently revised).
- First Recipient: O.M. Nambiar (Athletics, 1985; coached P.T. Usha).

## 5. State-Level Sports Awards

- Ekalavya Award: Conferred by the Government of Karnataka for outstanding performance by state athletes. First established in 1994; inaugural recipient was Najib Aga.
- Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award: Conferred by the Government of Punjab for excellence in sports and services to Punjab athletics. Instituted in 1978. Includes a trophy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a citation, and a ₹1 lakh cash prize. The inaugural recipient was Olympic hockey player Pargat Singh.

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