Overview
The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is India's highest civilian honour for children. It recognises exceptional achievements in six categories. The President presents the award on Veer Bal Diwas (December 26). Children aged 5 to 18 years can apply. Each winner receives a medal and ₹1 lakh cash prize.
A Celebration of Young Talent
Every child has a dream. Some children turn their dreams into extraordinary achievements. The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar celebrates these young achievers. It is the highest civilian honour for children in India.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development invites nominations every year. The award recognises children who have shown exceptional courage, creativity, and talent. It encourages them to keep striving for excellence.
For 2026, applications opened on April 1. The last date to apply is July 31, 2026. All nominations must be submitted online at awards.gov.in .
What is the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar?
This award is a national honour for children. It was started in 1996 as the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement. In 2018, it was renamed as Bal Shakti Puraskar. Now it is known as the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar.
The award is given to children who have done something remarkable. They may have shown bravery, served society, or excelled in sports, arts, or science. The goal is to recognise and inspire young talent.
Since 2019, 203 children have received this honour. Each year, around 25 children are selected for the award.
Six Categories of Achievement
Children can be nominated in six different categories.
1. Bravery
This category is for children who have shown outstanding courage. They may have risked their lives to save others. They may have shown quick thinking in dangerous situations.
2. Sports
Children who have achieved success at national or international level competitions are recognised here. This includes all sports and games.
3. Social Service
This is for children who have started initiatives to help society. They may have worked for the underprivileged or stood for national causes.
4. Science and Technology
Children who have created innovations or done research are recognised. They may have built prototypes or developed new ideas.
5. Environment
This category is for children who have worked on environmental issues. They may have started awareness campaigns or created eco-innovations.
6. Art and Culture
Children who have shown extraordinary talent in music, dance, writing, painting, or other arts are honoured here.
Who Can Apply?
There are clear rules for who can apply for this award.
Citizenship: The child must be an Indian citizen.
Age: The child must be between 5 and 18 years old as of July 31, 2026.
Achievement Timeline: The achievement must have happened within two years of the nomination deadline.
Previous Winners: Children who have already received this award in any category cannot apply again.
Anyone can nominate a child. This includes parents, teachers, schools, and organisations. Children can also apply on their own through self-nomination.
The Selection Process
The selection is done by a special committee. The committee is formed by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development. It is headed by the Secretary of the Ministry.
The committee includes experts from different fields. They review all nominations carefully. They look at the achievements and their impact.
A child can be nominated in more than one category. However, the committee may choose to consider only one application.
The final decision of the government is binding. No one can question it.
The Award Ceremony: Veer Bal Diwas
The President of India presents the award on Veer Bal Diwas. This day is observed on December 26 every year.
Veer Bal Diwas honours the sacrifice of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh. They were the two youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. They were martyred on December 26, 1704, at the young ages of 9 and 7. They refused to give up their faith even in the face of death.
By presenting the award on this day, the government connects today's young achievers with this timeless legacy of courage.
What Do Winners Receive?
Each award winner receives several things:
A Medal: A special medal is given to honour their achievement.
A Cash Prize: Each winner gets ₹1,00,000 (One Lakh Rupees).
Book Vouchers: Winners also get book vouchers worth ₹10,000.
A Certificate and Citation: These recognise and document the achievement.
Inspiring Stories of Previous Winners
Many inspiring children have received this award.
Anoushka Jolly won the Social Service Award in 2023. She created the "Anti-Bullying Squad Kavach" app. This app has provided mental health counselling to students for four years.
Arnav Anupriya Maharshi won the Science and Technology Award in 2025. He is a 17-year-old from Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Despite having physical disabilities, he developed an AI-based rehabilitation tool for hand paralysis.
Karina Thapa received the Bravery Award in 2024. She is a 17-year-old from Amravati, Maharashtra. She saved 36 lives by removing a gas cylinder from an active fire scene during a rescue operation. She was later recognised as a Fire Brand Ambassador by the Municipal Corporation.
These stories show that age is no barrier to making a difference.
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is more than just an award. It is the nation's way of telling young citizens that their courage, creativity, and compassion matter. It inspires children to dream big and work hard. It also reminds us that India's future is bright because of its talented youth.
If you know a child who has done something exceptional, nominate them. Every deserving child deserves a national platform to shine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar?
It is India's highest civilian honour for children. It recognises exceptional achievements in six categories: Bravery, Sports, Social Service, Science and Technology, Environment, and Art and Culture.
2. Who is eligible for this award?
Children who are Indian citizens, aged between 5 and 18 years as of July 31, 2026, are eligible. The achievement must have happened within two years of the deadline.
3. How can someone nominate a child?
Nominations can be submitted online at awards.gov.in . Both self-nominations and third-party recommendations are accepted.
4. What is Veer Bal Diwas?
Veer Bal Diwas is observed on December 26 every year. It honours the sacrifice of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the young sons of Guru Gobind Singh.
5. What do the award winners receive?
Each winner receives a medal, a cash prize of ₹1,00,000, book vouchers worth ₹10,000, a certificate, and a citation.
Exam-Focused Quick Points
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Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is India's highest civilian honour for children.
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It is presented by the President of India on Veer Bal Diwas (December 26).
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Six categories: Bravery, Sports, Social Service, Science & Technology, Environment, Art & Culture.
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Eligibility: Indian citizen, age 5-18 years (as on July 31, 2026).
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Last date for nominations: July 31, 2026.
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Maximum 25 awards are given each year.
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Each winner gets a medal, ₹1,00,000 cash, and a certificate.
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Veer Bal Diwas remembers Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh.
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Nominations can be submitted at awards.gov.in .
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Since 2019, 203 children have received the award.