About this sports scheme
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.
The "Scheme For Arjuna Awards For Outstanding Performance In Sports And Games" is one of the highest sporting honors of the Government of India, presented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to sportspersons for outstanding performance in national and international competitions. Instituted in 1961, the award also recognizes leadership qualities, discipline, and good moral character among athletes. The award is presented annually by the President of India across various sports disciplines, including indigenous games and para sports. Awardees receive a bronze statuette of Arjuna, a scroll, and a cash prize. Applications for the award are invited online through a dedicated portal, and eligible sportspersons may apply directly without recommendations.
Benefits at a glance
| Scheme name | Scheme For Arjuna Awards For Outstanding Performance In Sports And Games (SAAOPSG) |
|---|---|
| Launched by | Ministry Of Youth Affairs & Sports |
| Department | Department of Sports |
| Launch year | 1961 |
| Benefit type | Composite (cash plus goods or services) |
| Category | Sports |
| Level / State | Central · All India |
| Official portal | dbtyas-sports.gov.in (see References at the end) |
Key facts
| Scheme type | Central Sector Scheme |
|---|---|
| Scheme for | Individual |
| Application mode | Online |
| Last date | Not given in the official listing |
| Age | 14 to 80 years |
Who can apply (quick check)
- 👤All genders
- 🎂Age 14 to 80 years
- 💼Sportsperson
- 📝Online
Quick check from official data. Full conditions are in the Eligibility section.
What you receive
- Cash Award: A cash prize of Rs. 15,00,000/- will be provided to the awardee.
- Statuette: The awardee will receive a commemorative statuette.
- Certificate: A certificate of recognition will be presented to the awardee.
- Ceremonial Dress: A ceremonial dress will be awarded as part of the honour.
Who qualifies
Eligibility for Arjuna Awards:
- 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 under the following categories:
- Olympic Games/Asian Games/Commonwealth Games/World Cup/Word Championship disciplines and cricket or any equivalent recognized international Tournament.
- Indigenous Games.
- Sports for physically challenged.
Eligibility for Arjuna Awards (Life Time):
- 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.
Who is not eligible
No Award will be made for a second time to the same person.
Papers to keep ready
1. Date of Birth Proof
2. User Photograph (Image should be in JPEG/PNG/JPG & size not exceed 5 MB)
3. Upload user signature (Signature should be in JPEG/PNG/JPG & size not exceed 250 KB)
4. Vigilance Certificate (in case of Govt./PSU/Autonomous organization)
5. Certificates of International Achievement details
6. Signed Undertaking (as per the given format) by the sportsperson
Registration walkthrough
Online
Step 1: The applicant will open the website https://dbtyas-sports.gov.in/ to register and apply for Online Schemes of the Department of Sports.
Step 2: The applicant will click on the ‘Registration’ tab to start the one-time registration process. Here the applicant will fill in the required personal details including verification of their mobile number through OTP. (Registration Type, Organization Name, Individual Name, Address, State, City, District, Block, Village, Pin Code, Email, Mobile Number)
Step 3: After successful registration, the applicant will get the message that the login credentials have been sent to the registered email ID.
Step 4: The applicant will use the login credentials received on the registered email ID to login into the online portal. Please remember to refresh the captcha before clicking on the login button.
Step 5: After first-time login, the applicant will be required to update their other basic details. After filling in the details click on the ‘Update’ button and the profile will be successfully updated. (Name of the Applicant, Father's Name, Mother's Name, Gender, DOB, Nationality, Address, email, Mobile Number)
Step 6: The applicant will click on the ‘Schemes’ tab and apply for the desired scheme.
Important dates
| Launch / start | 01 Jan 1961 |
|---|
Terms used in this scheme
- Sports journalist/expert/commentator
a person who is associated with sports journalism including freelancing in print or electronic media, or a person who writes extensively on sports issues or has written books on sports, or a person who gives live commentary during sports events.
- Sports Administrator
Sports Administrator means a person who is engaged in the management/ administration of national/international sports events, and sports organizations including private sports academies, sports programs, and delivery of sports services.
- Olympian
a sports person who participated in the Olympic Games as a member of the Indian contingent approved by the Government of India.
Frequently asked questions
What Are The Required Documents For Applying To This Scheme?
1. Date of Birth Proof
2. User Photograph (Image should be in JPEG/PNG/JPG & size not exceed 5 MB)
3. Upload user signature (Signature should be in JPEG/PNG/JPG & size not exceed 250 KB)
4. Vigilance Certificate (in case of Govt./PSU/Autonomous organization)
5. Certificates of International Achievement details
6. 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 Rs. 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.
References and official sources
Apply only on the official portal. Nothing is applied for on this site, and applying is free.
- Circular & Guidelines (PDF) dbtyas-sports.gov.in
- Documents Required (PDF) dbtyas-sports.gov.in
- Helpdesk awards.gov.in
- User Manual - Registration Process (PDF) dbtyas-sports.gov.in
grokipedia.org.in is not affiliated with any government department. Apply only on the official portal and never pay anyone for an application.
The details on this page are from the official listing and have not been rewritten or reviewed by our team yet. Confirm them on the official portal before applying.
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