The Arjuna Award is one of the highest civilian awards for sports in India, given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to recognize outstanding achievement in sports. It was instituted in 1961 and is named after Arjuna, a legendary warrior from the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
The Arjuna Award is given annually to Indian sportspersons who have consistently performed well at the international level over a period of four years and have shown outstanding achievements in their respective sports. The award includes a cash prize, a bronze statuette of Arjuna, and a certificate of recognition.
To be eligible for the award, a sportsperson must meet certain criteria such as having represented India in international competitions, having a good performance record in the last few years, and having a clean doping record.
The Arjuna Award is considered a prestigious honor in India and is highly sought after by Indian athletes. It is one of the highest recognitions that a sportsperson can receive in the country.