National Sports Awards 2025: Divya Deshmukh, Gayatri Gopichand Among 17 Arjuna Awardees
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, announced the National Sports Awards 2025, recognising 17 sportspersons with the prestigious Arjuna Award. The selection was made by a committee chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, the Ministry said in a statement.
Among the Arjuna Awardees are World Cup-winning chess player Divya Deshmukh, badminton player Gayatri Gopichand, and Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver-medallist boxer Narender. The list also includes Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi, Treesa Jolly – Gayatri Gopichand’s women’s doubles partner – decathlete and high jumper Tejaswin Shankar, and young deaf rifle shooter Dhanush Srikanth. Other names are expected to be released as part of the official notification.
The Ministry also conferred the Arjuna Award for Lifetime Achievement on I Arumainayagam, a footballer who won gold at the 1962 Asian Games. This honour is given to sportspersons who have made significant contributions to their sport over a prolonged period, beyond their active playing years.
In addition, the Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches was given to Parveer Singh (Athletics), Chhote Lal Yadav (Boxing), and Neha Nandkumar Chavan (Shooting). The award recognises coaches who have consistently produced medal-winning athletes at international events.
The Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2025 was awarded to the Army Paralympic Node, Pune. This award is given to corporate entities, non-governmental organisations, or individuals who have played a visible role in sports promotion and development. The Pune-based unit has been recognised for its efforts in nurturing para-athletes and providing them with structured training and support.
Notably, no athlete was named for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the country’s highest sporting honour, this year. The award, named after the legendary hockey player, is typically given for outstanding performance over a period of four years. The decision not to confer it this year is seen as a reflection of the selection committee’s strict criteria and the absence of a consensus candidate.
The National Sports Awards are presented annually to celebrate excellence in sports, coaching, and promotion of sport. The Arjuna Award, established in 1961, honours sportspersons who have shown consistent good performance over a period of four years, along with qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline.
This year’s list reflects a wide range of sports, including chess, badminton, boxing, athletics, shooting, and football. The inclusion of Dhanush Srikanth, a young deaf rifle shooter, underscores the growing recognition of athletes with disabilities in mainstream sports awards. Similarly, the recognition of the Army Paralympic Node highlights the increasing focus on para-sports infrastructure and talent development.
The selection process for the awards involves a committee comprising former sportspersons, administrators, and officials from the sports ministry. Nominees are evaluated on their recent achievements and overall contribution to their sport. The committee’s recommendations are then submitted to the government for final approval.
The awards ceremony is expected to be held later this year at Rashtrapati Bhavan, though the exact date has not yet been announced. Traditionally, the awards are presented by the President of India, with recipients receiving a citation, a medal, and a cash prize.
Sportspersons and their families have expressed gratitude for the recognition. Officials from the Ministry hope that these awards will inspire young athletes to pursue excellence and bring glory to the nation on international platforms.
