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Scheme For Arjuna Awards For Outstanding Performance In Sports And Games

The objective of Arjuna Awards is to recognize outstanding achievements of sportspersons in the field of sports at the international level. To be eligible for the award, a sportsperson should have good performance consistently for the previous four years at the international level.

Authority

Central

Region

None

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

The award consists of a statuette, a certificate, a ceremonial dress, and a cash award of ₹ 15,00,000 which will be presented to the winners in a function to be held at a place and on a date to be decided by the Government of India.

Who can apply

To be eligible for the Award, a sportsperson should have had not only good performance over the previous four years at the International level but also should have shown qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and a sense of discipline.; During the years when the Olympic Games, Commonwealth, and Asian Games are held, the achievements of the sportspersons in these Games and other international tournaments upto the conclusion of the Olympic Games/Commonwealth Games/Asian Games, as the case may be, will also be considered.; Sportspersons who have been penalized or against whom inquiry is pending/ongoing for use of drugs/substances banned by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) based on a sample collected by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) or any other agency authorized by WADA and tested by National Dope Testing Laboratory or any other WADA accredited laboratory, will not be eligible for the Award.; The Government will only consider conferring Arjuna Award in the disciplines falling; The applicant should be a sportsperson with good performance at the international level.; The applicant should have continued to contribute to the promotion of sports even after retirement from active sports.; The applicant should possess qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline.; The applicant who has been penalized for use of banned substances should be eligible only after completion of the penalty/suspension/ban period.; The achievements of the applicant during the suspension or punishment period should not be considered.; The applicant against whom any enquiry is pending or ongoing should not be eligible for the award.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

What Are The Required Documents For Applying To This Scheme?

- Date of Birth Proof | - User Photograph (Image should be in JPEG/PNG/JPG & size not exceed 5 MB) | - Upload user signature (Signature should be in JPEG/PNG/JPG & size not exceed 250 KB) | - Vigilance Certificate (in case of Govt./PSU/Autonomous organization) | - Certificates of International Achievement details | - Signed Undertaking (as per the given format) by the sportsperson

What Is The Amount Of The Cash Prize That Will Be Awarded To The Winner?

The award consists of a statuette, a certificate, a ceremonial dress, and a cash award of [?] 15,00,000 which will be presented to the winners in a function to be held at a place and on a date to be decided by the Government of India.

Is Good Performance Over The Previous Four Years At The International Level Enough In Order To Be Eligible For The Award?

To be eligible for the Award, a sportsperson should have had not only good performance over the previous four years at the International level but also should have shown qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and a sense of discipline.

What Are WADA And NADA? What Is Their Role In The Award?

Sportspersons who have been penalized or against whom inquiry is pending/ongoing for use of drugs/substances banned by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) based on a sample collected by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) or any other agency authorized by WADA and tested by National Dope Testing Laboratory or any other WADA accredited laboratory, will not be eligible for the Award.

What Are The Disciplines Under Which The Government Can Consider Conferring Arjuna Award?

The Government will only consider conferring Arjuna Award in the disciplines falling under the following categories: | a) Olympic Games/Asian Games/Commonwealth Games/World Cup/Word Championship disciplines and cricket or any equivalent recognized international Tournament. | b) Indigenous Games. | c) Sports for the physically challenged.

Where Will Be Award Ceremony Be Held?

The function for the presentation of the Award to be held at a place and on a date to be decided by the Government of India.

How Many Awards Can Be Conferred In A Calendar Year?

Ordinarily, not more than one award will be given in each discipline in a particular year subject to deserving sportspersons being available. However, at least one award is to be given exclusively for sports for the physically challenged. Further, the principle of one award per discipline may be relaxed in the case of team sports and across gender. That is to say that, the Selection Committee may recommend, in deserving cases with proper justification, more than one sportsperson in respect of team sports and sportspersons of both genders. | Normally not more than 15 awards could be given in any calendar year. However, keeping in view the performance of Indian sportspersons in the Commonwealth, Asian Games, and Olympic Games during a particular year, Arjuna Awards exceeding 15 in number may be allowed with proper justification and approval of Minister-in-charge for Youth Affairs & sports.