PRELIMS
Context: The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honor, was conferred upon outstanding sportspersons for their exceptional achievements, in a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
About the Award
- Inception: Introduced in 1991-1992 as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
- Renaming: Renamed in 2021 to honor Major Dhyan Chand, the legendary hockey player often referred to as the “Wizard of Hockey.”
- Purpose:
- Recognize exceptional international performances by Indian athletes.
- Motivate athletes and inspire future generations.
Key Details
- Administered by: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Outstanding International Performance: Achievements in competitions like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and World Championships over the last four years.
- Clean Record: Athletes must adhere to anti-doping rules.
Nomination and Selection Process
- Nominating Authorities:
- National Sports Federations (NSFs),
- Sports Authority of India (SAI),
- State Governments, and the
- Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
- Special Provision: If no nominations are received, the Government can nominate up to two athletes.
- Selection Committee:
- Comprises government officials, Olympians, journalists, and sports experts.
- Selection is based on a points-based system considering medals in major international events.
- Finalized by the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
2024 Winners of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
| Recipient | Sport |
| Manu Bhaker | Shooting |
| D Gukesh | Chess |
| Harmanpreet Singh | Hockey |
| Praveen Kumar | Paralympic High Jump |