Overview
India's highest sporting honour, recognising the most spectacular and outstanding performance by a sportsperson over the four years immediately preceding the award year. Scheme amended as on 14.10.2024.
Key details
- Age
- No age bar. Performance over the four years immediately preceding the award year is considered (including Olympic/Commonwealth/Asian Games results up to the conclusion of those Games).
- Amount / benefit value
- Cash amount of ₹25 lakh, exempt from Income Tax and Wealth Tax in the year of disbursal, along with the award insignia.
- Official guidelines PDF
- 📄 Download PDF ↗
Note: Employed applicants must furnish a vigilance/disciplinary clearance from their employer. Canvassing in any form renders an entry liable to disqualification. The award was called the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna until August 2021; the 2021 cycle was invited as such by circular F.No. K-15012/3/2021-SP-IV(i) dated 19 May 2021, which counted achievements from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2020. The ₹25 lakh cash prize dates from the Ministry's enhancement circular F.No. K-15012/04/2018-SP-IV of August 2020, which raised it from ₹7.5 lakh.
Official documents
Notices and PDFs published by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, including earlier years. Links checked 2026-10-06.
- 📄 Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna Award ↗Inviting applications for Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, 2024 - reg.Ministry page ↗
- 📄 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award scheme ↗Scheme for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.Ministry page ↗
- 📄 Inviting nominations for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards for 2021 ↗Inviting nominations for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards for 2021Ministry page ↗
- 📄 Enhancement of cash amount of Sports Awards 2020 ↗Enhancement of Cash Prize for National Sports Awards 2020.Ministry page ↗
Eligibility
- ▸ Outstanding performance at international level — Olympic, Asian, Commonwealth, World Games/Championships/World Cup and equivalent recognised international tournaments
- ▸ Performance counted over the four years immediately preceding the award year (including results up to the conclusion of the Olympic/Commonwealth/Asian Games in those years)
- ▸ An athlete penalised under WADA/NADA may apply after the penalty, suspension or ban is complete; achievements during the punishment period are not counted
- ▸ An athlete with an enquiry pending or ongoing is not considered
Benefits
- ✓ Cash amount of ₹25 lakh, exempt from Income Tax and Wealth Tax in the year of disbursal
- ✓ Award insignia and citation presented at a national ceremony
Documents required
- ▪ Online application on the awards portal
- ▪ Performance/achievement certificates
- ▪ Vigilance clearance from employer (Government/PSU/private employees)
Application process
Applications are invited online only. Eligible sportspersons may self-apply without any recommendation; the Government may additionally make up to two nominations. Employed applicants must furnish vigilance/disciplinary clearance from their employer. Canvassing renders an entry liable to disqualification.
Apply via: Applications are invited online only. Eligible sportspersons may self-apply without any recommendation; the Government may additionally make up to two nominations. Employed applicants must furnish vigilance/disciplinary clearance from their employer. Canvassing renders an entry liable to disqualification.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the Khel Ratna?＋
A sportsperson whose performance over the four years immediately preceding the award year has been the most spectacular and outstanding at international level — Olympic, Asian, Commonwealth, World Games/Championships/World Cup and equivalent recognised international tournaments.
How do I apply?＋
Applications are invited only online. Under the amended scheme eligible sportspersons may self-apply without any recommendation; the Government additionally reserves the right to make up to two nominations. The award relates to the calendar year for which applications are invited.
Does a doping penalty disqualify an athlete?＋
An athlete who has served a WADA/NADA penalty may be considered after the sentence/suspension/ban is complete, but achievements during the punishment period are not counted. An athlete with an enquiry pending or ongoing is not considered.