The National Sports Awards 2025 have finally been announced, with the Sports Ministry approving 17 athletes for the Arjuna Award after re-evaluating the selection panelโs original recommendations. World Cup-winning chess player Divya Deshmukh, Asian Games medallist Tejaswin Shankar and badminton star Gayatri Gopichand are among the prominent names on the final list. Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi, Gayatriโs doubles partner Treesa Jolly, boxer Narender Berwal and deaf shooter Dhanush Srikanth have also been recognised.
The final list includes athletes from a wide range of disciplines. The 17 Arjuna awardees are Tejaswin Shankar, Priyanka Goswami, Narender, Vidit Gujrathi, Divya Deshmukh, Dhanush Srikanth, Rajkumar Pal, Surjeet, Rudransh Khandelwal, Ekta Bhyan, Arvind Singh, Akhil Sheoran, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, Lalremsiami, Muhammed Ajmal and Pooja. Notably, no cricketer has made the list, continuing a trend since Mohammed Shami received the honour in 2023.
The announcement also brought a major surprise at the top level, with no athlete receiving the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna for 2025. Hockey player Hardik Singh had been considered by the selection panel but was ultimately left out after the ministryโs re-evaluation. This marks only the third time since the award was instituted that no Khel Ratna has been awarded, after 2008 and 2014.
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐! ๐ฎ๐ณ Prominent athletes: Tejaswin Shankar (Athletics) Gayathri Gopichand & Treesa Jolly (Badminton) Divya Deshmukh & Vidit Gujarathi (Chess) Lalremsiami (Hockey) Akhil Sheoran (Shooting) Complete list โฌ๏ธ #ArjunaAwards pic.twitter.com/7Sp0zMMLRg
โ India_AllSports (@India_AllSports) August 18, 2026
โTheir exceptional performancesโ: AICF President Nitin Narang congratulated Arjun Awardees Vidit Gujrathi and Divya Deshmukh
The All India Chess Federation (AICF) congratulated Grandmasters Divya Deshmukh and Vidit Gujrathi after the duo was conferred the prestigious Arjuna Award at the National Sports Awards 2025. AICF president Nitin Narang praised their achievements and described the honour as recognition of their exceptional performances, dedication, and contribution to Indian chess. Narang said, โCongratulations to @DivyaDeshmukh05 and @viditchess on being honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award! Their exceptional performances, determination and contribution to Indian chess have made the nation proud.โ
The President also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya for their support of Indian sport and the chess fraternity. โA heartfelt thank you to Honโble PM @narendramodi ji for his unwavering encouragement to Indiaโs sporting champions and for consistently placing sport and athletes at the heart of our national aspirations.Grateful to Honโble Sports Minister @mansukhmandviya ji for his continued support to Indian sport and our chess champions.,โ he said. Narang further acknowledged the parents, coaches, support staff and millions of Indian chess fans, saying their unwavering belief and support had been integral to Deshmukh and Gujrathiโs journeys.
