Prelims
Context:
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024 has been conferred to D Gukesh (Chess), Manu Bhakar (Shooting), Harmanpreet Singh (Hockey), and Praveen Kumar (Para-athletics). This prestigious award, formerly known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, is the highest sporting honor in India.
- Awarding Body: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
- Award Ceremony: The award is personally conferred by the President of India. No proxies are allowed to receive the award or prize money on behalf of the recipient.
Criteria for the Award:
- Performance Period: The award is given for exceptional performance in sports over the previous four years.
- Achievements Considered: Performance in major international tournaments such as:
- Olympic Games
- Asian Games
- Commonwealth Games
- World Championships
- Nomination Limit: A maximum of two sportspersons can be nominated for each sport discipline.
- Eligibility: Athletes penalized for doping are eligible only after serving their suspension/penalty, but achievements during the penalty period are not considered.
Selection Process:
- Nominations: Nominations are invited through an online portal, and athletes can also self-apply. The government can nominate up to two sportspersons in deserving cases.
- Verification: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) verifies the achievements and performance records of the nominees.
- Selection Committee: Comprising eminent sportspersons (Olympians or previous awardees of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna or Arjuna Award), sports journalists, and administrators.
- Recommendations: The committee submits its recommendations to the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for approval.
- Final Decision: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports approves the final list of awardees.