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SPORTS AWARDS

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, Updated At : 03:35 PM May 08, 2025 IST

Olympians Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award from Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, in Delhi last week.

INDIA’S HIGHEST HONOUR IN SPORTS

What is Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award?

The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India’s highest sporting honour, recognising spectacular and outstanding performance in sports over a period of four years at an international level.

Key facts

Award criteria: The award considers performance over a period of four years, with 80 per cent weightage given to medals won in international championships and 20 per cent to the profile and standard of events.

Recipients: As of 2024, there have been 62 recipients across 16 sport disciplines.

Selection process: A 12-member committee evaluates performances and submits recommendations to the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.

History

The award was instituted in 1991-1992 and was previously named after Rajiv Gandhi.

In 2021, the award was renamed after Major Dhyan Chand, a legendary Indian field hockey player.

Notable recipients

Viswanathan Anand, a chess Grandmaster, was the first recipient of the award.

Abhinav Bindra, a sport shooter, became the youngest recipient at age 18.

Did you know?

The award comprises a medallion, certificate and a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh.