Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

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About Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

Named after the hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand (1905–79), an Indian legendary field hockey player, the “Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award” (erstwhile Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratan Award) is the highest sporting honour in India.
Instituted in 1991–1992, the award is conferred annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
Eligibility:
- The spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports and games at the international level, i.e. Olympic/Asian/Commonwealth/World Games/Championships/World Cup and equivalently recognized international tournaments, 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 Games and Asian Games are held, the achievements of the sportspersons in these Games and other abovementioned tournaments up to the conclusion of the Olympic Games/Commonwealth/Asian Games, as the case may be, will also be considered.
- Sportspersons who have been penalized or against whom an enquiry is pending or ongoing for the use of drugs/substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will not be eligible for the award.
General Conditions:
- No award will be made for a second time to the same person.
- There will be only one award every year to be given to an individual sportsperson. This condition will be relaxed only in exceptional circumstances.
- The award may be given posthumously if such an occasion arises.
- The Government of India may cancel or annul the award for any recipient for specific reasons, including doping.
Benefits: The award will consist of the following:
- A cash amount of ₹25,00,000, which is exempt from income tax and wealth tax.
- A Certificate of honor to each sportsperson.
- One medal to each sportsperson.

Q1) What is the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)?

WADA was established in 1999 as an international independent agency to lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport. WADA’s governance and funding are based on equal partnership between the Sport Movement and Governments of the world.WADA’s primary role is to develop, harmonize and coordinate anti-doping rules and policies across all sports and countries

Source: Chirag Shetty, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy to be honoured with Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna | Full list of winners