Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy was instituted in the year 1956–1957. It is given to the university for "top performance in the inter-university tournaments" over the period of the last one year.[3]
Arjuna Award was instituted in the year 1961. It is given to sportspersons for "consistent outstanding performance" over the period of last four years. The award comprises "a bronzestatuette of Arjuna, certificate, ceremonial dress, and a cash prize of ₹15 lakh (US$17,000)."[a][12]
Dronacharya Award instituted in the year 1985, it is given to coaches for "producing medal winners at prestigious international events". The award comprises "a bronzestatuette of Dronacharya, a certificate, ceremonial dress, and a cash prize of ₹15 lakh (US$17,000)".[b][13]
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna was instituted in the year 1991–1992. It is given to sportspersons for "most outstanding performance by a sportsperson" over the period of last four years. The award comprises "a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹25 lakh (US$29,000)".[c][18]
Dhyan Chand Award was instituted in the year 2002. It is given to individuals for "lifetime contribution to sports development". The award comprises "a Dhyan Chand statuette, a certificate, ceremonial dress, and a cash prize of ₹10 lakh (US$12,000)".[d][20]
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar was instituted in the year 2009. It is given to organizations (both private and public) and individuals for "playing a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development" over the period of last three years.[21]
As of 2020[update], a total of 1,259 sportspersons, coaches, universities and organizations have been awarded the various National Sports Awards. Forty-three sportspersons have been awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award [Formerly known as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award ]
.[22][1] The Arjuna Award has been awarded to 881 individuals and one group award to 20 mountaineers.[23][1] Seventy-five sportspersons have been awarded the Dhyan Chand Award.[24][1] One hundred and twenty-nine coaches have been awarded the Dronacharya Award, out of which 35 been awarded in the lifetime category.[25][1] A total of six universities have been awarded the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy 64 times.[26][1] Thirty-nine organizations and individuals have been awarded the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar for sports promotion 47 times.[27][1]
^The cash prize was introduced in the year 1977–1978 as a scholarship of ₹200 (US$2.30) a month for 2 years.[4] It was revised to one time cash prize of ₹5,000 (US$58) in 1986,[5] to ₹20,000 (US$230) in 1987,[6] to ₹50,000 (US$580) in 1993,[7] to ₹1.5 lakh (US$1,700) in 1998,[8] to ₹3 lakh (US$3,500) in 2001,[9] to ₹5 lakh (US$5,800) in 2009,[10] and to ₹15 lakh (US$17,000) in 2020.[11]
^The cash prize was revised from ₹5 lakh (US$5,800) to ₹25 lakh (US$29,000) in 2020.[11]
^The cash prize was revised from ₹1 lakh (US$1,200) to ₹3 lakh (US$3,500) in 2000,[14][15] to ₹5 lakh (US$5,800) in 2002,[16] to ₹7.5 lakh (US$8,700) in 2009,[17] and to ₹25 lakh (US$29,000) in 2020.[11]
^The cash prize was revised from ₹3 lakh (US$3,500) to ₹5 lakh (US$5,800) in 2009,[19][17] and to ₹10 lakh (US$12,000) in 2020.[11]
^"Two years Scholarship for winners"(PDF) (Press release). Press Information Bureau, India. 27 October 1978. Archived(PDF) from the original on 29 December 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
^"Value of cash prize enhanced"(PDF) (Press release). Press Information Bureau, India. 30 May 1989. Archived(PDF) from the original on 29 December 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
^"Value of cash prize enhanced" (Press release). Press Information Bureau, India. 1 September 1998. Archived from the original on 29 December 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
^"Arjuna Awards scheme Revised" (Press release). Press Information Bureau, India. 3 April 2002. Archived from the original on 29 December 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
^"Revised Scheme of Arjuna Award"(PDF). Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (India). 7 September 2018. Archived(PDF) from the original on 29 December 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.