India’s sporting heroes received a moment in the national spotlight as President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Sports Awards 2025 at a special ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Celebrating excellence, perseverance and contributions to Indian sports, the ceremony recognised outstanding athletes, coaches and institutions that have helped strengthen the country’s sporting landscape.

The President also presented the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards 2024, honouring individuals who have demonstrated exceptional courage and achievement in adventure activities.

17 Sportspersons Receive Arjuna Awards

A total of 17 sportspersons were selected for the prestigious Arjuna Awards 2025 in recognition of their outstanding performances in sports and games. Among the prominent recipients were athlete Tejaswin Shankar, race walker Priyanka Goswami, chess player Divya Jitendra Deshmukh, hockey player Rajkumar Pal and kabaddi player Puja.

Veteran Indian footballer Isaiah Arumainayagam was also honoured with the Arjuna Award (Lifetime) for his remarkable contribution to Indian football. He was part of the Indian football team that secured medals at major international competitions, including the Asian Games and the AFC Asian Cup.

Coaches Recognised for Shaping Champions

Behind every successful athlete is a coach whose guidance, discipline and dedication play a crucial role in their journey. Acknowledging these contributions, five coaches received the Dronacharya Awards 2025.

Parveer Singh, Chhote Lal Yadav and Neha Nandkumar Chavan were honoured in the regular category, while Dharmendra Singh Yadav and Virender Kumar received the award in the Lifetime category.

Their recognition highlights the importance of coaching in identifying talent, nurturing potential and preparing athletes for national and international competitions.

Army Paralympic Node and Adventure Achievers Honoured

The Army Paralympic Node, Pune, received the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar for its significant contribution to promoting and developing sports. The recognition celebrates institutional efforts that create opportunities for athletes and strengthen India's sporting ecosystem.

Meanwhile, four individuals, including mountaineers Baljeet Kaur and Rimo Saha, were honoured with the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards 2024 for their achievements in adventure activities.

Celebrating Excellence Beyond Medals

The National Sports Awards are presented annually to recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to Indian sports. The Arjuna Award, in particular, acknowledges consistent exceptional performance over four years, along with qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and discipline.