National Sports Awards 2025: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has announced the National Sports Awards 2025, recognising outstanding performances and contributions across several sporting disciplines. The announcement came on 18 August 2026, after an unusually long delay.
The biggest development is that no sportsperson has been selected for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for 2025, India’s highest sporting honour.
Meanwhile, 17 sportspersons have been selected for the Arjuna Award.
The awards were finalised on the recommendations of a selection committee chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra.
National Sports Awards 2025: Key Highlights
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: No recipient
- Arjuna Award: 17 sportspersons
- Arjuna Award – Lifetime: I. Arumainayagam
- Dronacharya Award – Regular: 3 coaches
- Dronacharya Award – Lifetime: 2 coaches
- Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar: Army Paralympic Node, Pune
The decision not to confer the Khel Ratna is particularly notable because it is only the third time since the award was instituted that there has been no recipient for a year. Previous such instances were in 2008 and 2014.
Full List of Arjuna Award Winners 2025
Seventeen sportspersons have been selected for the Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in sports and games.
| Sportsperson | Discipline |
|---|---|
| Tejaswin Shankar | Athletics |
| Muhammed Ajmal V | Athletics |
| Priyanka Goswami | Athletics |
| Treesa Jolly | Badminton |
| Pullela Gayatri Gopichand | Badminton |
| Narender | Boxing |
| Vidit Santosh Gujrathi | Chess |
| Divya Jitendra Deshmukh | Chess |
| Dhanush Srikanth | Deaf Shooting |
| Lalremsiami | Hockey |
| Rajkumar Pal | Hockey |
| Surjeet | Kabaddi |
| Pooja | Kabaddi |
| Rudransh Khandelwal | Para-Shooting |
| Ekta Bhyan | Para-Athletics |
| Arvind Singh | Rowing |
| Akhil Sheoran | Shooting |
Divya Deshmukh and Vidit Gujrathi Among Major Names
- Chess received significant recognition in the 2025 awards. Divya Jitendra Deshmukh and Vidit Santosh Gujrathi have both been selected for the Arjuna Award.
- Divya’s recognition comes after a landmark period in her career, including her victory at the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 and her rise to become India’s fourth female Grandmaster.
- Vidit Gujrathi has also been recognised for his sustained achievements at the highest level of international chess.
Tejaswin Shankar Gets Arjuna Award
- Athlete Tejaswin Shankar is another prominent name on the list. His selection recognises his achievements in athletics, including his performances in high jump and decathlon.
- His inclusion makes the 2025 Arjuna list particularly significant for Indian athletics.
Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly Honoured
- Indian badminton players Pullela Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly have also been selected for the Arjuna Award.
- The pair have emerged as one of India’s prominent women’s doubles combinations, making their recognition an important moment for Indian badminton.
Arjuna Award – Lifetime Achievement
Former footballer I. Arumainayagam, a member of India’s gold-medal-winning football team at the 1962 Asian Games, has been selected for the Arjuna Award in the Lifetime Achievement category.
Dronacharya Award 2025
The Dronacharya Award recognises coaches who have made outstanding contributions to the development of sportspersons.
Regular Category
- Parveer Singh – Athletics
- Chhote Lal Yadav – Boxing
- Neha Nandkumar Chavan – Shooting
Lifetime Category
- Dharmendra Singh Yadav – Boxing
- Virender Kumar – Wrestling
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2025
The Army Paralympic Node, Pune has been selected for the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2025, recognising its contribution to the promotion and development of sports.
Why Is There No Khel Ratna Award in 2025?
- The most notable aspect of the National Sports Awards 2025 is the absence of a Khel Ratna recipient.
- The selection process underwent a re-evaluation, with the Sports Ministry reducing the number of Arjuna Award recommendations before finalising the list. Reports said the selection committee had initially recommended 24 names for the Arjuna Award, while the ministry ultimately approved 17.
- Hockey player Hardik Singh had been considered for the country’s highest sporting honour but was ultimately not selected.
Why Are the National Sports Awards Important?
- The National Sports Awards recognise athletes, coaches and organisations that have made significant contributions to Indian sport.
- The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna is India’s highest sporting honour, while the Arjuna Award recognises sustained sporting excellence along with qualities such as leadership, sportsmanship and discipline.
- The awards therefore serve not only as recognition for individual achievements but also as an important part of India’s sporting ecosystem.
National Sports Awards 2025: Important Facts
- Award: National Sports Awards 2025
- Khel Ratna Award: No recipient
- Arjuna Award: 17 sportspersons
- Arjuna Lifetime Award: I. Arumainayagam
- Dronacharya Award: 5 coaches
- Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar: Army Paralympic Node, Pune
- Selection Committee Chairman: Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra
- Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Quick Revision
Q. How many sportspersons received the Arjuna Award in 2025?
Ans. 17
Q. Who received the Arjuna Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2025?
Ans. I. Arumainayagam
Q. Was the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awarded in 2025?
Ans. No.
Q. Which organisation received the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2025?
Ans. Army Paralympic Node, Pune.
Q. Who chaired the National Sports Awards 2025 selection committee?
Ans. Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra.
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