Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

Named after the hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand (1905–79), an Indian legendary field hockey player, "Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award" (erstwhile Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratan Award) is the highest sporting honour of India. Instituted in 1991–1992, the award is conferred annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years immediately preceding the year during which award is to be given shall be honoured with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for excellence in Sports & Games at international level i.e. Olympic/Asian/ Commonwealth/World Games/Championships/World Cup and equivalent recognized international tournaments. As of 2022, the award comprises a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹25,00,000. OBJECTIVE The objective of the award is to recognize the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years immediately preceding the year during which the award is to be given. During the years when Olympic Games, Commonwealth and Asian Games are held, achievements of the sportspersons upto conclusion of these Games will also be considered.