The Khel Ratna Award is India’s highest athletic award, formally known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. It is given annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India’s highest athletic honour. It was earlier known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in Sports and Games. It is presented annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to recognize and reward outstanding athletic achievement. The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award carries Rs. 25 lakh cash prize, a medal and a certificate. Learn everything you need to know about Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, including list of winners, eligibility, nominations, and more.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is a prestigious sporting honor in India, named after Major Dhyan Chand, a legendary field hockey player who is regarded as one of the greatest players of the game. The award is given to athletes who have made outstanding achievements in sports over a period of four years. It was first awarded in 1991–1992, and is considered India’s second highest sporting honor after the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. The award recognizes outstanding athletic performance and consists of a medal, certificate and a cash prize.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2022 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Sharath Kamal
Table Tennis
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2021 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Neeraj Chopra
Athletics
Ravi Kumar Dahiya
Freestyle Wrestling
Lovlina Borgohain
Boxing
P. R. Sreejesh
Hockey
Avani Lekhara
Paralympic Shooting
Sumit Antil
Para-Athletics
Pramod Bhagat
Para-Badminton
Krishna Nagar
Para-Badminton
Manish Narwal
Paralympic Shooting
Mithali Raj
Cricket
Sunil Chhetri
Football
Manpreet Singh
Hockey
2020 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Rohit Sharma
Cricket
Mariyappan Thangavelu
Paralympic High Jump
Manika Batra
Table Tennis
Vinesh Phogat
Freestyle Wresteling
Rani Rampal
Hockey
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2019 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Deepa Malik
Paralympic Shot Put
Bajrang Punia
Freestyle Wrestling
2018 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu
Weightlifting
Virat Kohli
Cricket
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2017 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Devendra Jhajharia
Paralympic Javelin
Sardara Singh
Hockey
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2016 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
P. V. Sindhu
Badminton
Dipa Karmakar
Gymnastics
Jitu Rai
Shooting
Sakshi Malik
Freestyle Wrestling
2015 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Sania Mirza
Tennis
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2014 Winners List
No Awards
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2013 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Ronjan Sodhi
Shooting
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2012 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Vijay Kumar
Shooting
Yogeshwar Dutt
Freestyle Wrestling
2011 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Gagan Narang
Shooting
2010 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Saina Nehwal
Badminton
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2009 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Mary Kom
Boxing
Vijender Singh
Boxing
Sushil Kumar
Freestyle Wrestling
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2008 Winners List
No Awards
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2007 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Cricket
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2006 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Manavjit Singh Sandhu
Shooting
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2005 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Pankaj Advani
Billiards & Snooker
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2004 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
Shooting
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2003 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Anju Bobby George
Athletics
2002 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
K. M. Beenamol
Athletics
Anjali Bhagwat
Shooting
2001 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Abhinav Bindra
Shooting
2000 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Pullela Gopichand
Badminton
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 1999 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Dhanraj Pillay
Hockey
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 1998 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Jyotirmoyee Sikdar
Athletics
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 1997 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Sachin Tendulkar
Cricket
1996 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Leander Paes
Tennis
1995 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Nameirakpam Kunjarani
Weightlifting
1994 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Karnam Malleswari
Weightlifting
1993 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Pushpendra Kumar Garg
Yachting
Homi Motivala
Yachting
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 1992 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Geet Sethi
Billiards
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 1991 Winners List
Recipients Name
Sport
Viswanathan Anand
Chess
Frequently Asked Questions
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award started in which year? Answer : 1992
When was Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award renamed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award? Answer : 6th August 2021
Who is the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award? Answer : Viswanathan Anand
Who is the only Sportsperson to have won the award for two sports disciplines? Answer : Pankaj Advani (Billiards and Snooker)
Who is the Youngest recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award? Answer : Abhinav Bindra (18 Years in 2001)
In which year the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award was awarded the highest? Answer : 2021 (12 Recipients)
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