Arjuna Awards

The Arjuna Award is one of India’s most prestigious national honours, conferred upon outstanding sportspersons in recognition of their exceptional performance and consistent achievements in the field of sports. Instituted in 1961 by the Government of India, the award symbolises excellence, dedication, and contribution to the promotion of sports at both national and international levels. It is named after Arjuna, the legendary warrior prince from the Indian epic Mahabharata, who epitomises discipline, focus, and sporting spirit.

Historical Background

The idea of instituting a national sports award was conceived in the late 1950s when India sought to encourage sports as an essential component of national development and identity. Accordingly, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports established the Arjuna Award in 1961 to honour athletes who had displayed outstanding performance in their respective disciplines.
Initially, the award was limited to a few popular sports, but over the years, its scope expanded to include all recognised disciplines, including indigenous and adventure sports. The award now forms part of the National Sports Awards, which also include honours such as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (now Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award), Dronacharya Award, and Dhyan Chand Award.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Arjuna Award are to:

• Recognise outstanding individual performance and excellence in sports.
• Encourage sportspersons to achieve higher standards of performance.
• Promote a sports culture and national pride in athletic achievement.
• Motivate youth to take up sports as a career and contribute to India’s sporting success globally.

Eligibility and Criteria

The Arjuna Award is presented to athletes who have demonstrated:

• Consistent outstanding performance at the international level over the previous four years.
• Qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline both on and off the field.
• Significant contributions to their respective sports, including team and individual events.

Eligible disciplines include Olympic sports, Paralympic sports, Asian Games disciplines, Commonwealth Games disciplines, and indigenous games such as kabaddi, kho-kho, and mallakhamb. Adventure sports like mountaineering and yachting are also covered.
Special consideration may be given to physically challenged athletes and individuals who have made a notable impact in non-mainstream or rural sports.

Selection Process

The selection of awardees follows a transparent and structured procedure:

1. Nominations: Nominations are invited from National Sports Federations (NSFs), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and various State and Union Territory Governments. Public nominations are also accepted.
2. Screening and Evaluation: The nominations are examined by a Selection Committee constituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The committee includes eminent sportspersons, coaches, sports administrators, and experts.
3. Criteria Weightage: The selection process follows a points-based evaluation system, giving due weightage to:
   • Performance in international events.
   • Quality of achievements (World Championships, Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games).
   • Leadership and sportsmanship qualities.
   • Consistency of performance over years.
4. Final Recommendation and Approval: The committee’s recommendations are submitted to the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, and final approval is given by the Government of India.

Generally, the number of annual recipients is limited to not more than 15, though this limit may be exceeded in exceptional circumstances such as major international events.

Components of the Award

Each Arjuna Award recipient receives:

• A bronze statuette of Arjuna, symbolising valour and excellence.
• A scroll of honour citing the recipient’s achievements.
• A cash prize (currently ₹15 lakh).
• Ceremonial dress and insignia presented at a formal ceremony.

The award is usually presented by the President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi during the National Sports Awards ceremony, held annually on 29 August — celebrated as National Sports Day in honour of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.

Evolution and Reforms

Since its inception, the Arjuna Award has undergone several changes in scope and structure to make it more inclusive and transparent:

• 1961–1976: The award was presented for performance in 20 sports disciplines, focusing mainly on Olympic events.
• 1977–1994: Indigenous and adventure sports were added to recognise traditional sporting culture.
• 1995: The Dronacharya Award was introduced separately for coaches, to distinguish between player and coach recognition.
• 2001: Major revisions were made to streamline the selection process and prevent duplication of honours.
• 2018: Revised guidelines introduced a points system based on measurable achievements to ensure objectivity.

The award has continued to evolve in tandem with India’s growing sporting diversity and international participation.

Notable Recipients

Over the decades, the Arjuna Award has honoured many of India’s most celebrated athletes across a variety of disciplines, including:

• Milkha Singh (Athletics, 1959 – awarded retrospectively).
• Prakash Padukone (Badminton, 1972).
• Sunil Gavaskar (Cricket, 1975).
• PT Usha (Athletics, 1983).
• Sachin Tendulkar (Cricket, 1994).
• Leander Paes (Tennis, 1990).
• Mary Kom (Boxing, 2003).
• PV Sindhu (Badminton, 2013).
• Neeraj Chopra (Athletics, 2018).
• Manpreet Singh (Hockey, 2021).

These sportspersons exemplify the spirit of dedication, discipline, and national pride that the award seeks to foster.

Importance and Impact

The Arjuna Award holds immense symbolic and motivational value in Indian sports. Its key contributions include:

• Recognising the efforts and sacrifices of sportspersons who bring honour to the country.
• Inspiring young athletes to pursue excellence at global platforms.
• Strengthening the image of India as an emerging sporting nation.
• Promoting gender equality and inclusivity by recognising achievements of both male and female athletes across diverse disciplines.

The award also serves as an important policy instrument in India’s sports development framework, complementing other government initiatives like Khelo India, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), and Fit India Movement.