Introduction to National Sports Awards 2025 Arjuna Award winners list
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India has officially announced the National Sports Awards 2025, celebrating exceptional athletic performances, tactical coaching excellence, and lifetime dedication to sports.Leading this year’s honorees is Pullela Gayatri Gopichand—daughter of legendary Indian badminton icon and coach Pullela Gopichand—who has been awarded the prestigious National Sports Awards 2025 Arjuna Award winners list alongside her women’s doubles partner, Treesa Jolly.
While 17 elite athletes secured the coveted Arjuna recognition, this year’s announcements also brought major surprises, including the omission of any recipient for the highest Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna honor.
Selection Committee and Evaluation Framework
The final list of recipients was curated by a high-level selection committee chaired by Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, a former judge of the Supreme Court of India.Operating under strict government frameworks, the committee evaluated candidates based on consistent international performance, leadership, discipline, and exemplary sportsmanship over a rigorous four-year evaluation cycle.
Highlights of the National Sports Awards 2025
The newly revealed National Sports Awards 2025 Arjuna Award winners list highlights a diverse range of disciplines, expanding far beyond mainstream sports.
- Badminton Excellence: Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly claimed their spots following stellar international displays on the BWF circuit.
- Historical Breakthroughs:Decathlete Tejaswin Shankar—who made history as the first Indian to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the event—and FIDE Women’s World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh headline the elite roster.
- Khel Ratna Omission:In a rare departure from tradition, the Sports Ministry chose not to confer the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award to any athlete for this cycle.
Complete Official List of National Sports Awards 2025 Winners
1. Arjuna Award 2025 Recipients (17 Athletes)
- Tejaswin Shankar– Athletics
- Muhammed Ajmal V– Athletics
- Priyanka Goswami– Athletics
- Treesa Jolly– Badminton
- Pullela Gayatri Gopichand– Badminton
- Narender– Boxing
- Vidit Santosh Gujarathi– Chess
- Divya Jitendra Deshmukh– Chess
- Dhanush Srikanth– Deaf Shooting
- Lalremsiami– Hockey
- Rajkumar Pal– Hockey
- Surjeet– Kabaddi
- Pooja– Kabaddi
- Rudransh Khandelwal– Para-Shooting
- Ekta Bhyan– Para Athletics
- Arvind Singh– Rowing
- Akhil Sheoran– Shooting
2. Arjuna Award (Lifetime Achievement)
- I. Arumainayagam– Football (Member of the 1962 Asian Games gold-winning squad)
3. Dronacharya Award for Coaches
- Regular Category:Chhote Lal Yadav (Boxing), Parveer Singh (Athletics), Neha Nandkumar Chavan (Shooting)
- Lifetime Category:Dharmendra Singh Yadav (Boxing), Virender Kumar (Wrestling)
4. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar
- Army Paralympic Node, Pune — Recognized for exceptional corporate and organizational contribution to sports development.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on National Sports Awards 2025 Arjuna Award winners list
Who received the Arjuna Award for badminton in 2025?
The Arjuna Award for badminton was awarded to the prominent women’s doubles pair, Treesa Jolly and Pullela Gayatri Gopichand.
Why was the Khel Ratna not awarded in 2025?
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports confirmed that no candidate was named for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award during this selection cycle.
What is the cash prize associated with the Arjuna Award?
Recipients of the Arjuna Award receive a bronze statuette, a ceremonial dress, a formal certificate, and a cash prize of ₹15 lakh.
Conclusion on National Sports Awards 2025 Arjuna Award winners list
The roll-out of the National Sports Awards 2025 Arjuna Award winners list underscores India’s rapidly expanding sporting footprint across diverse global arenas.From emerging badminton stars like Gayatri Gopichand to trailblazing chess and track-and-field champions, these accolades celebrate years of relentless grit, hard work, and national pride.
Disclaimer
This article is published for informational and news reporting purposes only. Official announcements, updates on cash incentives, and certificate distributions are governed strictly by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
What are your thoughts on this year’s selections? Did your favorite athlete make the cut? Let us know in the comments below, and share this article with fellow sports fans to spread the word about India’s rising athletic champions!
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