National sports awards delayed: Ministry re evaluates nominees for final list

The announcement of India’s national sports awards has been delayed this year as the Sports Ministry has initiated a fresh round of scrutiny to ensure that only truly deserving athletes are selected for the honour.

Sources said the selection committee had already finalised its recommendations in December after nominations were invited slightly later than usual. However, the ministry has now paused the process and is reassessing the approved list before making it public.

Officials said the move is aimed at protecting the credibility and prestige of the awards , especially the Arjuna Award, which recognises consistent sporting excellence.

“The value of these awards should not get diminished. That is the goal,” a source said, adding that the ministry wants to avoid controversies over merit and selection.

The official also referred to past cases where award decisions faced criticism, legal challenges, and public disputes. “There shouldn’t be Arjuna awardees everywhere if their achievements are not substantial,” the source added.

The ministry is also exploring a more structured, points-based system to make selection more transparent and reduce subjectivity in the process.

Traditionally, the awards are presented on August 29, the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand , by the President. However, in recent years, delays have become more common due to administrative and scheduling issues.

As per current recommendations, hockey player Hardik Singh has been shortlisted for the Khel Ratna , the country’s highest sporting honour, which carries a ₹25 lakh cash prize.

For the Arjuna Award , around 24 athletes have been shortlisted, including chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh and decathlete Tejaswin Shankar , both of whom have delivered notable international performances.

In a significant first, yogasana athlete Aarti Pal has also been recommended, marking a milestone for the discipline after its official recognition.