National Sports Awards 2025 were announced by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on August 18, 2026, recognising athletes, coaches and organisations for their contribution to Indian sports. The awards were finalised after considering recommendations from a selection committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra.

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The annual awards recognise sporting achievements at different levels and also highlight the contribution of coaches and organisations that support the growth of sports in the country.

Khel Ratna Category Has No Recipient

The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna is India’s highest sporting honour. It is awarded to sportspersons for outstanding performances at the highest level.

However, no athlete was selected for the Khel Ratna for the 2025 awards. The final list announced by the Sports Ministry did not name a recipient in this category.

The award is named after legendary Indian hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, who played a major role in India’s Olympic hockey success during the 1920s and 1930s. The honour was renamed the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2021.

17 Athletes Selected for Arjuna Award

The Arjuna Award formed a major part of the National Sports Awards 2025. A total of 17 athletes were selected for the award for their consistent performances at the international level.

The list includes several well-known names from different sporting disciplines. Among the selected athletes are Vidit Gujarathi, Divya Deshmukh, Tejaswin Shankar, Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly.

The award covers athletes who have demonstrated strong performance and contributed to India’s presence in international competitions.

The selection of athletes from different sports also reflects the growing diversity of India’s sporting landscape. Indian athletes have been making an impact across disciplines such as chess, athletics, badminton and other competitive sports.

Lifetime Arjuna Award Goes to I Arumainayagam

The Arjuna Award (Lifetime) has been given to I Arumainayagam, a former Indian footballer and coach.

Arumainayagam was part of the Indian football team that won a gold medal at the 1962 Asian Games. His selection recognises his long contribution to Indian football beyond his active playing career.

The lifetime category provides recognition to former sportspersons who have continued to contribute to their respective sports through coaching, mentoring or other activities.

Dronacharya Awards Recognise Five Coaches

The Dronacharya Award recognises outstanding coaches who have helped athletes achieve success in national and international competitions.

For 2025, three coaches were selected in the Regular Category. They are Parveer Singh for athletics, Chhote Lal Yadav for boxing and Neha Nandkumar Chavan for shooting.

Two more coaches were selected in the Lifetime Category. They are Dharmendra Singh Yadav for boxing and Virender Kumar for wrestling.

The recognition of coaches is important because sporting success often depends not only on athletes but also on long-term training, planning and guidance provided by coaches.

Army Paralympic Node Receives Sports Promotion Award

The Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar is another important part of the National Sports Awards. It is given to institutions, organisations and corporate bodies that contribute to the promotion and development of sports.

For 2025, the Army Paralympic Node in Pune was selected for the award.

The recognition comes at a time when para-sports are receiving increasing attention in India. Indian para-athletes have produced strong performances at international competitions, while training facilities and support systems for athletes with disabilities have also expanded.

Online Process Used for Nominations

The selection process for the 2025 awards was conducted through a dedicated online portal. The system allowed athletes, individuals and organisations to submit applications and nominations for consideration.

Moving the nomination process online is part of the wider use of digital systems in sports administration. It can make the application process easier to access and help streamline the handling of nominations.

After receiving the applications, the selection committee examined the nominations before making its recommendations.

Justice Arun Kumar Mishra Led the Selection Committee

The selection committee for the National Sports Awards 2025 was chaired by Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, a former judge of the Supreme Court of India.

The committee’s recommendations were considered before the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports finalised the list of awardees.

The process brings together sporting expertise and administrative review to identify athletes, coaches and organisations that have made significant contributions to Indian sports.

National Sports Awards and India’s Sporting Growth

The National Sports Awards are held every year to recognise sporting achievements and encourage excellence across different disciplines.

India’s sports environment has changed significantly in recent years. Along with traditional sports such as hockey, athletics and football, disciplines including chess, badminton, shooting, wrestling and para-sports have gained wider attention.

Young athletes are also increasingly competing in international events at junior and senior levels. Success at major competitions has helped increase public interest in sports and encouraged more institutions to invest in training and athlete development.

The 2025 awards reflect this wider sporting environment by recognising athletes from different disciplines as well as coaches and organisations working behind the scenes.

Major Awards Continue to Honour Sporting Excellence

The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar cover different aspects of India’s sporting system.

While the Khel Ratna focuses on exceptional sporting achievement, the Arjuna Award recognises consistent performances by athletes. The Dronacharya Award highlights the contribution of coaches, while the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar recognises organisations supporting sports development.

The 2025 awards therefore bring attention not only to athletes on the field but also to the coaches, institutions and support systems that contribute to India’s growing sporting ecosystem.