National Sports Awards 2025

Announcement

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced the National Sports Awards 2025 on 18 August 2026 (PIB Delhi).
• Awards recognise and reward excellence in sports.
• Selection based on recommendations of a committee chaired by Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra (former Supreme Court Judge).
• The committee included eminent sportspersons, sports journalists, and sports administrators.
• Applications invited online via a dedicated portal; self-application allowed. Large number of applications received.

1. Arjuna Award for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games 2025

Given for good performance over the previous four years + leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline.

Sl. No.

Name

Discipline

1

Shri Tejaswin Shankar

Athletics

2

Shri Muhammed Ajmal V

Athletics

3

Ms. Priyanka Goswami

Athletics

4

Ms. Treesa Jolly

Badminton

5

Ms. Pullela Gayatri Gopichand

Badminton

6

Shri Narender

Boxing

7

Shri Vidit Santosh Gujarathi

Chess

8

Ms. Divya Jitendra Deshmukh

Chess

9

Shri Dhanush Srikanth

Deaf Shooting

10

Ms. Lalremsiami

Hockey

11

Shri Rajkumar Pal

Hockey

12

Shri Surjeet

Kabaddi

13

Ms. Pooja

Kabaddi

14

Shri Rudransh Khandelwal

Para-shooting

15

Ms. Ekta Bhyan

Para Athletics

16

Shri Arvind Singh

Rowing

17

Shri Akhil Sheoran

Shooting

Total: 17 recipients (mix of Olympic sports, para-sports, and traditional Indian sports).

2. Arjuna Award (Lifetime) 2025

Honours retired sportspersons who continue to contribute to sports promotion.

• Shri I Arumainayagam – Football

3. Dronacharya Award for Outstanding Coaches 2025

Recognises coaches for consistent meritorious work enabling excellence in international events.

Regular Category

• Shri Parveer Singh – Athletics
• Shri Chhote Lal Yadav – Boxing
• Neha Nandkumar Chavan – Shooting

Lifetime Category

• Shri Dharmendra Singh Yadav – Boxing
• Shri Virender Kumar – Wrestling

4. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2025

Awarded to entities (corporate/NGO) for visible role in sports promotion and development.

• Army Paralympic Node, Pune

Key Highlights

• Strong representation from Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Chess, Hockey, Kabaddi, Shooting, and Para sports.
• Emphasis on both current performers and lifelong contributors (athletes + coaches).
• Inclusion of para-athletes and specialised categories (Deaf Shooting).
• Only one organisational award given this year.