The selection committee for India's National Sports Awards has finalized its recommendations, putting forward hockey vice-captain Hardik Singh as the sole contender for the country's highest sporting honour, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, for the year 2025. In a parallel announcement, the committee has recommended 24 athletes for the prestigious Arjuna Award, a list that includes young chess sensation Divya Deshmukh and trailblazing decathlete Tejaswin Shankar.
Khel Ratna Honour for a Hockey Stalwart
The 27-year-old Hardik Singh, a midfield mainstay for the Indian men's hockey team, has been the lone recommendation for the Khel Ratna. His credentials are formidable, having been an integral part of the medal-winning squads at both the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the recent 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Adding to his laurels this year, he played a key role in India's triumphant campaign at the Asia Cup, where the team clinched the gold medal.
A Diverse Array of Arjuna Awardees
The list of 24 Arjuna Award recommendations showcases a wide spectrum of sporting excellence from across the nation. Divya Deshmukh, the 20-year-old chess prodigy, made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the World Cup. She finds a place alongside fellow chess master Vidit Gujrathi.
Athletics is represented by Tejaswin Shankar, who secured a historic silver medal in decathlon at the 2023 Asian Games and followed it up with a second-place finish at the Asian Championships earlier this year. The list also features rifle shooter Mehuli Ghosh, a two-time World Championship bronze-medallist, and gymnast Pranati Nayak.
In a landmark moment for the discipline, Yogasan athlete Aarti Pal has been recommended for the Arjuna Award. This comes five years after Yoga was formally recognized by the Sports Ministry. Aarti is the reigning national and Asian champion, and her discipline is set to be a demonstration sport at the 2026 Asian Games.
Indian badminton's top women's doubles pair, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, have also been recommended. Gayatri is the daughter of renowned national coach and former All England champion Pullela Gopichand.
Notably, the recommendations do not feature any cricketers. The last cricketer to receive the Arjuna Award was pacer Mohammed Shami in 2023.
Selection Process and Award Details
The awards selection panel, which included Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Vice President Gagan Narang, former badminton player Aparna Popat, and former hockey player M M Somaya, finalized the names after a meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, India's highest sporting honour, carries a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh along with a medallion and a citation. Recipients of the Arjuna Award are presented with a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh.
Last year, the Khel Ratna was awarded to four athletes: world champion chess player D Gukesh, men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, para-athlete Praveen Kumar, and shooter Manu Bhaker.
Full List of National Sports Awards 2025 Nominations:
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna: Hardik Singh (Hockey)
- Arjuna Awards: Tejaswin Shankar (Athletics), Priyanka (Athletics), Narender (Boxing), Vidit Gujrathi (Chess), Divya Deshmukh (Chess), Dhanush Srikanth (Deaf Shooting), Pranati Nayak (Gymnastics), Rajkumar Pal (Hockey), Surjeet (Kabaddi), Nirmala Bhati (Kho Kho), Rudransh Khandelwal (Para-Shooting), Ekta Bhyan (Para-athletics), Padmanabh Singh (Polo), Arvind Singh (Rowing), Akhil Sheoran (Shooting), Mehuli Ghosh (Shooting), Sutirtha Mukherjee (Table Tennis), Sonam Malik (Wrestling), Aarti (Yoga), Treesa Jolly (Badminton), Gayatri Gopichand (Badminton), Lalremsiami (Hockey), Mohammed Afsal (Athletics), Pooja (Kabaddi).
