Manu Bhaker, D Gukesh among four athletes to be awarded Khel Ratna – Full list of Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award winners

The Sports Ministry has announced this year’s recipients of the prestigious Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, with Olympic-medalist Manu Bhaker and chess world champion D Gukesh leading the list. They are joined by men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympic gold medalist Praveen Kumar.

In addition, the ministry has unveiled the names of 32 athletes selected for the Arjuna Awards, including 17 para-athletes.

President Droupadi Murmu will give away the awards on January 17, 2025.

The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is the highest sporting honor in India, presented to sportspersons for their extraordinary and most outstanding performances over the previous four years. The Arjuna Award for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games recognises athletes who have consistently excelled during the past four years, while also showcasing qualities such as leadership, sportsmanship and discipline. Additionally, the Arjuna Award (Lifetime) honors retired sportspersons who, beyond their remarkable careers, continue to contribute significantly to the promotion and development of sports in the country. 

The Dronacharya Award celebrates the exceptional efforts of coaches who have demonstrated consistent excellence by enabling athletes to achieve success at international sporting events. Lastly, the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy is awarded to the top-performing university in the Khelo India University Games, recognising its dedication to fostering sports and nurturing young talent.

Full list of Khel Ratna awardees

Full list of Arjuna awardees

Full list of Arjuna Award (Lifetime)

Full list of Dronacharya awardees

Regular category

Lifetime category

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2024