On November 13, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Sports Awards for 2025 and the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards for 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The ceremony celebrated outstanding contributions in sports and adventure, including the prestigious Arjuna Awards, Dronacharya Awards, and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar.
Understanding the National Sports and Adventure Awards
The National Sports Awards are a set of honors given annually to recognize excellence in Indian sports. These awards include the Arjuna Award for outstanding athletes, the Dronacharya Award for exceptional coaches, and the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar for organizations promoting sports development. Separately, the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards honor individuals who have made significant achievements in adventure activities such as mountaineering, water sports, and aviation.
The awards highlight not only competitive success but also leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication to the growth of sports and adventure in India. They serve to inspire athletes, coaches, and organizations to strive for excellence and contribute to the nation's sporting culture.
Highlights from the 2025 Awards Ceremony
The 2025 awards ceremony was notable for several reasons, including its timing and the distinguished recipients honored:
- Seventeen athletes received the Arjuna Award for their outstanding performances in 2025. Among them were decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, chess player Divya Deshmukh, hockey player Rajkumar Pal, and kabaddi player Puja.
- Isaiah Arumainayagam, a veteran footballer, was honored with the Arjuna Award for Lifetime Achievement, recognizing his long-standing contributions to the sport.
- Five coaches were awarded the Dronacharya Award. Parveer Singh, Chhote Lal Yadav, and Neha Nandkumar Chavan received awards in the regular category, while Dharmendra Singh Yadav and Virender Kumar were recognized in the Lifetime category for their decades of coaching excellence.
- Mountaineer and former ITBP officer Shiv Prasad Chamoli received the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award for Lifetime Achievement, acknowledging his significant contributions to adventure sports.
- The Army Paralympic Node in Pune was awarded the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar for its role in promoting and developing sports, particularly for differently-abled athletes.
- The ceremony was held more than a year later than usual; typically, these awards are presented on August 29 each year.
What These Awards Mean for Indian Sports and Adventure
These awards play a crucial role in recognizing and encouraging talent across the country. The Arjuna Award’s focus on international performance over four years, combined with leadership and discipline, sets a high standard for athletes. Coaches honored with the Dronacharya Award have demonstrated a consistent ability to develop champions over at least two decades, emphasizing the importance of mentorship in sports.
The Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards, verified by respected bodies like the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and Aero Club of India, highlight India’s growing prominence in adventure sports. Honoring lifetime achievements in this field encourages more individuals to pursue challenging and unconventional sporting paths.
Organizations like the Army Paralympic Node receiving the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar underline the expanding support for inclusive sports, ensuring opportunities for athletes with disabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What criteria are used to select Arjuna Award recipients?
A: Candidates are evaluated based on their international performance over the past four years, as well as their leadership qualities, sportsmanship, and discipline.
Q: How is the Dronacharya Award lifetime category determined?
A: Coaches considered for the lifetime category must have a proven record of producing outstanding sportspersons consistently for at least 20 years.
Q: Who verifies achievements for the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards?
A: The Indian Mountaineering Foundation, National Institute of Water Sports, and Aero Club of India verify accomplishments in land, water, and air adventure categories, respectively.
