PTC Web Desk: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has announced the National Sports Awards 2025, with 17 sportspersons selected for the prestigious Arjuna Award. In a notable decision, no sportsperson has been chosen for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award this year.

The awardees were finalised on the recommendations of a selection committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra.

Hockey player Hardik Singh was reportedly in consideration for the country's highest sporting honour but was eventually left out. The last time India had no Khel Ratna recipient was in 2014.

Biggest delay in National Sports Awards

The announcement came after an unusually long wait, with more than half of 2026 already over. The delay followed a re-evaluation exercise by the ministry aimed at ensuring that only deserving candidates were selected and that the credibility and integrity of the awards were maintained.

It is reportedly the longest delay in announcing the National Sports Awards since their inception in 1991. The selection committee had initially recommended 24 names for the Arjuna Award, but the ministry ultimately approved 17.

Interestingly, the final list does not include a cricketer. No cricketer has received the Arjuna Award since fast bowler Mohammed Shami was honoured in 2023.

Divya Deshmukh, Tejaswin Shankar among Arjuna Award winners

The 2025 Arjuna Award list includes several prominent names from Indian sport.

Chess star Divya Deshmukh, athlete Tejaswin Shankar and badminton player Gayatri Gopichand are among the recipients.

Divya, 19, created history last year by becoming the first Indian woman to win the Women's World Cup in Batumi, Georgia. Her achievement also made her the fourth Indian woman to become a chess Grandmaster.

Tejaswin Shankar has also enjoyed a breakthrough period. He recently won a historic bronze medal in the decathlon at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, becoming the first Indian athlete to win a decathlon medal at the Games.

Other notable names on the list include chess Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi, badminton player Treesa Jolly, boxer Narender, and deaf shooter Dhanush Srikanth.

Full list of Arjuna Award winners 2025

The 17 sportspersons selected for the Arjuna Award are:

Tejaswin Shankar — Athletics

Priyanka Goswami — Athletics

Narender — Boxing

Vidit Gujrathi — Chess

Divya Deshmukh — Chess

Dhanush Srikanth — Deaf Shooting

Rajkumar Pal — Hockey

Surjeet — Kabaddi

Rudransh Khandelwal — Para-Shooting

Ekta Bhyan — Para-Athletics

Arvind Singh — Rowing

Akhil Sheoran — Shooting

Treesa Jolly — Badminton

Gayatri Gopichand — Badminton

Lalremsiami — Hockey

Muhammed Ajmal — Athletics

Pooja — Kabaddi

The Arjuna Award recognises athletes for sustained performances over the preceding four years, along with qualities such as leadership, sportsmanship and discipline.

I Arumainayagam gets Arjuna Award for Lifetime Achievement

Former footballer I Arumainayagam has been selected for the Arjuna Award for Lifetime Achievement. He was part of India's gold-medal-winning football team at the 1962 Asian Games.

Five coaches named for Dronacharya Awards

The government has also announced five Dronacharya Award recipients, including three under the regular category and two for Lifetime Achievement.

Boxing coach Chhote Lal Yadav is among the prominent names. He has been associated with the women's national boxing camp and was also part of the support staff that worked with legendary boxer M.C. Mary Kom.

The regular Dronacharya Award recipients are:

Parveer Singh

Chhote Lal Yadav

Neha Chavan

For the Lifetime Achievement category, the award will go to:

Dharmendra Yadav

Virender Kumar

The National Sports Awards recognise athletes and coaches who have made significant contributions to Indian sport, with the 2025 selections featuring achievers from disciplines ranging from chess and athletics to hockey, badminton, boxing and para-sports.

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