Sports & Awards – Study Notes
For Andaman & Nicobar Islands Police Constable (ANIPC) – General Awareness & Current Affairs
These notes cover the major sports awards in India, recent international achievements, and key facts that are frequently asked in the ANIPC exam.
1. Simple Explanation
Sports awards are honours given to athletes, coaches, and sports administrators for outstanding achievements, dedication, and contribution to Indian sports. They serve to:
- Recognise excellence (e.g., Olympic medals, world records).
- Motivate athletes to perform at higher levels.
- Promote sports across the country.
India has a structured hierarchy of awards ranging from the national level (Khel Ratna) to specific field awards (Arjuna, Dronacharya, etc.) and international accolades (Olympic, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games).
2. Key Points
| Award | Full Name | Awarded By | Eligibility / Criteria | Typical Recipients | Notable Recent Winners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khel Ratna | National Sports Award | President of India | Highest sporting honour; must have won at least one gold at the Olympics/World Cup, or 2 golds at Asian Games/World Championships, or 3 golds at Commonwealth Games. | Olympians, world champions | 2023: Neeraj Chopra (Javelin) |
| Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna | (Same as above but under a new name since 2020) | President | Same criteria | — | — |
| Arjuna Award | National Sports Award | President | Outstanding performance over 4 years; includes sports like hockey, football, athletics, etc. | 2022: Richa Ghosh (Squash) | |
| Dronacharya Award | National Award for coaches | President | Contribution to coaching leading to international success | 2022: Bhanu Prakash (Badminton Coach) | |
| Dhyan Chand Award | Lifetime achievement | President | Long-term contribution to Indian sports | 2022: S. R. Murali (Field Hockey) | |
| Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna | Renamed Khel Ratna | President | Same as Khel Ratna | — | — |
| Olympic Gold Medal | International | IOC | Gold in any Olympic event | 2024: Neeraj Chopra (Men’s Javelin) | |
| Asian Games Gold Medal | Continental | Olympic Council of Asia | Gold in any Asian Games event | 2022: Sakshi Malik (Wrestling) | |
| Commonwealth Games Gold Medal | Commonwealth | Commonwealth Games Federation | Gold in any Commonwealth Games event | 2022: Sakshi Malik (Wrestling) |
Current Affairs Highlights – 2024
- 2024 Summer Olympics (Paris) – India won 2 golds, 1 silver, 2 bronze; Neeraj Chopra retained his gold in Javelin.
- 2022 Asian Games (Hangzhou) – India finished 3rd overall; 9 golds.
- 2022 Commonwealth Games (Birmingham) – India finished 4th overall; 26 golds.
- Indian Super League (football) – 2023‑24 season champion: Kerala Blasters.
Other Relevant Sports Awards
- Sree Guru Purnachandra Award – For excellence in traditional Indian sports.
- P.V. Sindhu Award – For women athletes under 30.
- National Sports Awards for Para Sports – For athletes with disabilities.
3. Worked Example
Scenario
An athlete, Rahul, won a gold medal in Men’s 400m Hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He has also won 3 gold medals at the Asian Games (2018, 2022, 2023) and 2 golds at the Commonwealth Games (2018, 2022). He has been competing for over 7 years.
Question: Which Indian sports award is Rahul eligible for?
Step‑by‑Step
-
Check for Khel Ratna
- Requirement: ≥1 gold at Olympics or World Cup or
- 2 golds at Asian Games/World Championships or
- 3 golds at Commonwealth Games.
- Rahul has 1 Olympic gold → eligible for Khel Ratna (now called Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna).
-
Check for Arjuna Award
- Requires outstanding performance over 4 years.
- Rahul clearly qualifies.
- However, Khel Ratna takes precedence; Arjuna is usually awarded after Khel Ratna if both are due.
-
Check for Dronacharya (if Rahul were a coach) – Not applicable.
Conclusion
Rahul is eligible for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna. If the award were not conferred, the next appropriate award would be the Arjuna Award.
4. Quick Revision Summary
| Topic | Key Take‑Away |
|---|---|
| Khel Ratna | Highest national sports award; Olympic/World/Asian/Commune gold thresholds. |
| Arjuna Award | Recognises sustained excellence over 4 years; includes many sports. |
| Dronacharya Award | For coaches who develop athletes who succeed internationally. |
| Dhyan Chand Award | Lifetime contribution to Indian sports. |
| 2024 Olympics | India won 2 golds, 1 silver, 2 bronze (Neeraj Chopra Gold). |
| Asian Games 2022 | India 3rd place; 9 golds. |
| Commonwealth Games 2022 | India 4th place; 26 golds. |
| Eligibility Check | Olympic gold → Khel Ratna; 2 Asian golds or 3 Commonwealth golds also suffice. |
| Important Dates | - Khel Ratna awarded annually (usually in January). - Arjuna Award announced in November. |
Quick Flashcard Style
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who gives the Khel Ratna award |