The Ministry of Women and Child Development is seeking nominations until July 31 for the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2026, which honors the determination and abilities of children. To qualify, nominees must be Indian citizens aged between 5 and 18 years, not having received the award before, and the achievement must be within two years of the deadline. A committee led by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development selects the awardees.
The President presents the award on Veer Bal Diwas, celebrated on December 26 annually, in memory of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh. The award includes a medal, certificate, and citation, recognizing the resilience and creativity of young changemakers in India. Since its launch in 2019, 203 children have been honored, encouraging excellence in various fields beyond academics.
The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar acknowledges exceptional bravery and excellence in categories like Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art and Culture, and Science and Technology. Past winners include Anoushka Jolly for Social Service in 2023, Arnav Anupriya Maharshi for Science & Technology in 2025, and Karina Thapa for Bravery in December 2024. The award aims to inspire young citizens to realize the value of their courage and compassion, connecting them to a historic legacy on Veer Bal Diwas.
