In this post, we will discuss the list of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award winners from 1991 to the present.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
The highest sporting honour in India is the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. It bears the name of Major Dhyan Chand, a renowned Indian hockey player. The honour is granted to excellent athletes who have achieved international success in their particular sports. The prize was first presented in 1991–1992, and since then, it has grown to be one of India’s most esteemed honours.
Who was Major Dhyan Chand?
Major Dhyan Chand was an Indian hockey player who competed during the British Raj. The 29th of August 1905 saw his birth in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. An iconic person in the history of hockey is Major Dhyan Chand. He participated in India’s three Olympic gold medal-winning hockey teams in 1928, 1932, and 1936. He represented India as a hockey player from 1926 to 1949. He was dubbed “The Wizard of Hockey” for his incredible stickwork and finesse in front of the net.
A Brief Characteristic of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the Award | Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award |
| Instituted By | Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India |
| Named After | Major Dhyan Chand, legendary Indian hockey player |
| Established Year | 1991 |
| Purpose | To honour outstanding achievements in sports |
| Awarded Annually | Yes |
| Criteria | Exceptional performance in sports during the year |
| Eligibility | All sportspersons, including individuals and teams |
| Number of Recipients | Varies each year |
| Award Ceremony | National Sports Day (29th August) |
| Previous Names | Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (until – 2021) |
| Cash Prize | ₹25 lakhs |
To honour the remarkable accomplishments of Indian athletes, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award was established in 1991–1992. Outstanding athletes in many sports, including Olympic and Paralympic sports as well as other sports, are recognised with this award each year. In addition to a plaque and citation, the honour comes with a monetary prize of Rs. 25 lahks.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India superintend the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. The award is granted based on the suggestions of a committee made up of renowned athletes and officials from the sports world.
To honour India’s top athletes, the Khel Ratna Award was established in 1991–1992. Outstanding athletes in a variety of sports, including Olympic and Paralympic sports as well as other sports, are recognised with this award each year. A 25 lakh rupee cash prize, a citation, and a plaque come with the honour.
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is managed by the Government of India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The award is granted based on the suggestions of a selection committee made up of renowned sports figures and officials.
Selection Criteria of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
The Khel Ratna Award is given to a sports player who has outstripped in their sport for four years in a row. Also, the player had to have displayed leadership and sportsmanship. The distinction is bestowed on individuals who have achieved greatness in sports, particularly at illustrious international competitions like the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Significance of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award:
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award has a lot of significance. First and foremost, it acknowledges the contribution of notable athletes to the growth of sports in India. Young and aspiring athletes are encouraged by the prize to pursue success in their particular sports. Also, it encourages more people to pursue sports as a career and aids in fostering a sports culture in the nation.
Because it emphasises the significance of sports in an individual’s complete growth, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is also noteworthy. The benefits of sports to a person’s mental and emotional health are in addition to their benefits to their physical growth. Life values like leadership, perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship are all taught through participation in sports.
Challenges Faced:
Many issues need to be resolved, even if the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award represents a premier step towards reassuring sports in India. The absence of infrastructure and sporting facilities in the nation is one of the main problems. Since they lack access to the right training facilities and tools, many gifted athletes are unable to realise their full potential.
List of the major recipients of this prestigious award.
| S.No. | Recipients | Year | Sport’s Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Vishwanathan Anand | 1991–1992 | Chess |
| 2. | Geet Sethi | 1992–1993 | Billiards |
| 3. | Homi Motivala | 1993–1994 | Yachting (Team event) |
| 4. | Pushpendra Kumar Garg | 1993–1994 | Yachting (Team event) |
| 5. | Karnam Malleswari | 1994–1995 | Weightlifting |
| 6. | Nameirakpam Kunjarani | 1995–1996 | Weightlifting |
| 7. | Leander Paes | 1996–1997 | Tennis |
| 8. | Sachin Tendulkar | 1997–1998 | Cricket |
| 9. | Jyotirmoyee Sikdar | 1998–1999 | Athletics |
| 10. | Dhanraj Pillay | 1999–2000 | Hockey |
| 11. | Pullela Gopichand | 2000–2001 | Badminton |
| 12. | Abhinav Bindra | 2001 | Shooting |
| 13. | K. M. Beenamol | 2002 | Athletics |
| 14. | Anjali Bhagwat | 2002 | Shooting |
| 15. | Anju Bobby George | 2003 | Athletics |
| 16. | Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore | 2004 | Shooting |
| 17. | Pankaj Advani | 2005 | Billiards and Snooker |
| 18. | Manavjit Singh Sandhu | 2006 | Shooting |
| 19. | Mahendra Singh Dhoni | 2007 | Cricket |
| 20. | No Award | 2008 | — |
| 21. | Mary Kom | 2009 | Boxing |
| 22. | Vijender Singh | 2009 | Boxing |
| 23. | Sushil Kumar | 2009 | Freestyle wrestling |
| 24. | Saina Nehwal | 2010 | Badminton |
| 25. | Gagan Narang | 2011 | Shooting |
| 26. | Vijay Kumar | 2012 | Shooting |
| 27. | Yogeshwar Dutt | 2012 | Freestyle wrestling |
| 28. | Ronjan Sodhi | 2013 | Shooting |
| 29. | No Award | 2014 | — |
| 30. | Sania Mirza | 2015 | Tennis |
| 31. | P. V. Sindhu | 2016 | Badminton |
| 32. | Dipa Karmakar | 2016 | Gymnastics |
| 33. | Jitu Rai | 2016 | Shooting |
| 34. | Sakshi Malik | 2016 | Freestyle wrestling |
| 35. | Devendra Jhajharia | 2017 | Paralympic javelin |
| 36. | Sardara Singh | 2017 | Hockey |
| 37. | Saikhom Mirabai Chanu | 2018 | Weightlifting |
| 38. | Virat Kohli | 2018 | Cricket |
| 39. | Deepa Malik | 2019 | Paralympic |
| 40. | Bajrang Punia | 2019 | Freestyle wrestling |
| 41. | Rohit Sharma | 2020 | Cricket |
| 42. | Mariyappan Thangavelu | 2020 | Paralympic high jump |
| 43. | Manika Batra | 2020 | Table tennis |
| 44. | Vinesh Phogat | 2020 | Freestyle wrestling |
| 45. | Rani Rampal | 2020 | Hockey |
| 46. | Neeraj Chopra | 2021 | Athletics |
| 47. | Ravi Kumar Dahiya | 2021 | Freestyle wrestling |
| 48. | Lovlina Borgohain | 2021 | Boxing |
| 49. | P. R. Sreejesh | 2021 | Hockey |
| 50. | Avani Lekhara | 2021 | Paralympic shooting |
| 51. | Sumit Antil | 2021 | Para-athletics |
| 52. | Pramod Bhagat | 2021 | Para-badminton |
| 53. | Krishna Nagar | 2021 | Para-badminton |
| 54. | Manish Narwal | 2021 | Paralympic shooting |
| 55. | Mithali Raj | 2021 | Cricket |
| 56. | Sunil Chhetri | 2021 | Football |
| 57. | Manpreet Singh | 2021 | Hockey |
| 58. | Sharath Kamal | 2022 | Table tennis |
| 59. | Chirag Shetty | 2023 | Badminton |
| 60. | Satwiksairaj Rankireddy | 2023 | Badminton |
| 61. | Gukesh Dommaraju | 2024 | Chess |
| 62. | Harmanpreet Singh | 2024 | Hockey |
| 63. | Praveen Kumar | 2024 | Para-athletics |
| 64. | Manu Bhaker | 2024 | Shooting |
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: Conclusion
These sportsmen have represented the country honourably by excelling in their sports. These athletes are recognised with India’s highest sporting honour, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, for their contributions to promoting Indian sports internationally. By working hard, dedicating themselves, and being passionate about what they do, millions of young people have been inspired to play sports and fulfil their dreams. The Indian sporting community will always be impressed by these athletes’ accomplishments, and they will serve as role models for future generations.
