Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is the erstwhile name for The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awards. It is given each year by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It is given to sportspeople for their outstanding achievements over four years. It is considered India's highest athletic honor in sports and games. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 25 Lakh, a medallion, and a certificate.

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is essential to the UPSC IAS exam syllabus. This topic comes under the Indian Art and Culture part of the Mains General Studies Paper 1 syllabus and General Studies Paper -1 of the UPSC Prelims syllabus.

In this article, we shall comprehensively learn about the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, now known as the Major Dhyan Chand Award, its eligibility, selection process, the objective of this award, authorities associated which it, and the list of awardees from 2016 to 2022 for UPSC Exam Preparation.

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What is Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award?

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, which was renamed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on 6th August 2021, is the country's most prestigious and highest-ranked sporting honor. This award was instituted in the year 1991-92. Chess Grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand was the first recipient of this award in 1992 for his performance in 1991-92. In 2001, shooter Abhinav Bindra became the youngest recipient of this award at just the age of 18 years.

Till 2015, this award was given to a sportsperson for his achievements during the last one-year period. After 2015, the Ministry revised the criteria to consider four-year performance instead of one. 

The award holds a cash prize of 25 Lakh rupees, a medal, and a certificate of recognition. Usually, it is conferred upon only one recipient each year, but there have been some exceptions during years when more than one person was awarded. 

As of 2022, there is a total of 58 recipients from 15 types of sports that have been awarded this award.

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Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Winners 2022 List 

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Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Winners 2021 List

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Eligibility Criteria for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award

• The sportsperson should give an excellent and spectacular show of performance in the immediately preceding last four years to the year in which the award will be provided.
• An outstanding performance display by the sportsperson at the International level of Games and Sports such as the Olympics, the Asian Games, the World Games, the Commonwealth Games, the World Championships, World Cups, and other recognized international events.
• The performance and achievements of sportspersons in the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games will be considered for the award when these events occur.
• Sportspersons should not be penalized for the use of drugs or banned substances by WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) based on collected samples by NADA (National Anti Doping Agency) or any other authorized agency of WADA and which are tested by NDTL (National Drug Testing Laboratory), or any different lab which WADA accredits, otherwise, the sportsperson won't be eligible for the award.
• There should be no pending or ongoing inquiry of drugs or banned substances by above given agencies against the sportsperson. Otherwise, the sportsperson won't be eligible for the award. 

Objectives of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is the most prestigious in India's sports field. It was started with the following main objectives:

• To acknowledge and appreciate the excellent and spectacular achievements of a sportsperson in the field of sports during the last four years immediately preceding the year in which the award will be presented.
• To reward the excellent and spectacular performances of sportspersons in the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games during the years when these games are organized.

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Authorities Responsible for Forwarding Nominations

• Indian Olympic Association - President or Secretary General
• National Sports Federation - President or Secretary General
• Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) - President or Secretary General
• State/ UT Government/ Sports Control/ Promotion Board - any officer equivalent or above the rank of Secretary or Director (Sports) of that organization after taking the due approval of the competent authority.

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Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Winners 2020 List 

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Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Winners 2019 List 

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Winners 2018 List 

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Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Winners 2017 List 

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Winners 2016 List 

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Conclusion

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award was started in 1991-92 mainly to acknowledge and appreciate the excellence that Indian Sportspersons display on Global platforms. It is the platform to honor those sportspersons that have made India proud. This award has boosted the morale of athletes in the country and encouraged the development of an environment of Sports for the youth.

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