Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award — India’s Highest Sporting Honour (₹25 Lakh)

Key facts

Award	₹25,00,000 cash (tax-free), a medallion and a certificate
What it is	India’s highest sporting honour
For	Spectacular and outstanding performance in sport over the preceding four years
Nomination	By recognised National Sports Federations, the Indian Olympic Association, or state governments — not self-application
Renamed	From Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna to Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2021)
By	Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
Barred	Sportspersons penalised for doping
Application window	Nominations are invited each year and must be submitted before the Ministry’s deadline. The awards are announced around National Sports Day (29 August).

Benefits

Awardees receive a cash prize of ₹2,500,000, a medallion, and a certificate of honor, all exempt from taxes.

Full guide

What the award is

The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is the highest sporting honour given by the Government of India, recognising the most spectacular and outstanding performance by a sportsperson over the preceding four years. It was earlier known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and was renamed after hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand in 2021. The award carries a tax-free cash prize of ₹25,00,000, along with a medallion and a certificate.

Who is eligible and how nominations work

The award is for elite sportspersons judged on their performance in international competition over a four-year window. Crucially, you do not apply for it yourself — nominations come from recognised National Sports Federations, the Indian Olympic Association, the Sports Authority of India, or state governments. Sportspersons penalised for doping are not eligible, and the award can be cancelled if doping is established afterwards.

How a nomination is made

A recognised body prepares the nomination with the sportsperson’s proof of achievements, date of birth, photograph, signature and a vigilance/anti-doping clearance, and submits it to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports before the annual deadline. The awardees are then announced by the government and honoured at a ceremony, usually around National Sports Day (29 August). The award may also be conferred posthumously in deserving cases.

Documents in a nomination

Proof of the sportsperson’s international achievements over the four-year period
Date-of-birth proof, photograph and signature
A vigilance / anti-doping clearance
The nominating federation’s / body’s recommendation

Who can apply

For: sportsperson
not penalized for doping
not income tax payer

Eligible candidates include sportspersons who have demonstrated exceptional performance in international competitions over the past four years. Individuals penalized for doping or those who are income tax payers are excluded from eligibility.

Who is not eligible

Self-nominations — a candidate must be nominated by a recognised federation / body
Sportspersons penalised or found guilty of doping (the award can be cancelled if doping is later established)
A repeat award to the same person (except in exceptional circumstances)

How to apply

Nominations for the award are submitted by recognized sports federations and other authorized bodies.

Check eligibility criteria for the award.
Contact a recognized National Sports Federation or relevant authority for nomination.
Prepare required documents including proof of achievements and personal identification.
Submit the nomination before the deadline set by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Await the announcement of awardees by the government.

Apply on the official website ↗

Documents required

Date of Birth Proof
User Photograph
Upload user signature
Vigilance Certificate
Certificates of International Achievement details
Signed Undertaking

Common problems and how to fix them

Problem	What to do
Trying to apply yourself	You cannot apply directly. A recognised National Sports Federation, the Indian Olympic Association, or a state government has to nominate you.
Not sure who can nominate	Recognised National Sports Federations, the IOA, the Sports Authority of India, and state governments can send nominations for their sport.
Doping record	Anyone penalised for doping is not eligible, and the award can be withdrawn (with the medallion and certificate returned) if doping is established later.
Missed the deadline	Nominations open once a year with a firm deadline. If missed, the federation can nominate in the next cycle.

Frequently asked questions

Who can nominate candidates for the award?

Nominations can be made by recognized National Sports Federations, the Indian Olympic Association, and state governments.

What documents are required for the nomination?

Required documents include proof of date of birth, a user photograph, a signature, a vigilance certificate, and details of international achievements.

Can the award be given posthumously?

Yes, the award may be conferred posthumously if circumstances warrant it.

Is there a limit on how many times a person can receive the award?

No individual can receive the award more than once, except in exceptional circumstances.

What happens if a recipient is found guilty of doping?

The award may be canceled, and the recipient must return the plaque and certificate.

How is the award presented?

The award is presented at a designated ceremony, and only the awardees or their representatives can collect the award.

What does the award carry?

A tax-free cash prize of ₹25,00,000, along with a medallion and a certificate.

Is it India’s highest sports award?

Yes — it is India’s highest sporting honour.

Who nominates candidates?

Recognised National Sports Federations, the Indian Olympic Association, and state governments.

Can I nominate myself?

No — nominations must come from a recognised federation or body.

What was it called before?

It was the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, renamed the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021.

Always confirm the latest details on the official portal before applying.