National Sports Awards 2025 announced; Divya Deshmukh, Gayatri Gopichand, Narender among 17 named for Arjuna Awards
The Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced the 2025 National Sports Awards, honoring 17 athletes with the Arjuna Award. Notable recipients include Divya Deshmukh and Gayatri Gopichand, though no athlete was selected for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna this year.
Why it matters
These awards represent the highest recognition for sporting excellence in India, reflecting the nation's investment in athletic development.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports on Tuesday (August 18, 2026) announced the National Sports Awards 2025 with 17 sportspersons being recognised for the prestigious Arjuna Awards.
World Cup winning chess player Divya Deshmukh, badminton player Gayatri Gopichand, and Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver-medallist boxer Narender are among the 17 sportspersons recognised for their excellence in their respective sports. Also on the Arjuna Award nomination list are Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi, Gayatri Gopichand’s women’s doubles partner Treesa Jolly, decathlete and high jumper Tejaswin Shankar, and young deaf rifle shooter Dhanush Srikanth.
“Based on the recommendations of the Selection Committee chaired by a former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, the Government has decided to confer awards on the following sportspersons, coaches and entities under various categories,” the Ministry said in a release.
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