National Sports Awards 2025

• The Central Government has announced the winners of the National Sports Awards 2025.

• On August 18, 2026, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports released the list of athletes, coaches, and institutions selected for the awards, based on the recommendations of the selection committee.

• The most discussed aspect of this year's announcement was the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, as no name was selected for this highest sporting honour.

• Meanwhile, a decision has been made to honour several athletes, coaches, and institutions across various categories of the Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar.

• A total of 17 athletes have been selected for the Arjuna Award 2025, which is conferred upon sportspersons who have consistently delivered outstanding performances in international competitions.

• Prominent names among the recipients include chess players Vidit Gujrathi and Divya Deshmukh, athlete Tejaswin Shankar, and badminton players Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly.

• This selection reflects the growing prowess of Indian athletes across various sports and their sustained performance on the international stage.

• Additionally, former footballer and coach I. Arumainayagam has been selected for the Arjuna Award (Lifetime).

• He was a member of the Indian football team that won the gold medal at the 1962 Asian Games. He has been conferred this honour in recognition of his achievements as a player as well as his long-standing contributions as a coach.