Hardik Singh Sole Nominee for Khel Ratna 2025
- By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
- Dec 25, 2025
- 566
Indian men’s hockey vice-captain Hardik Singh has been recommended for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2025, making him the sole nominee for the country’s highest sporting honour this year. The 27-year-old midfielder has been a cornerstone of India’s recent hockey resurgence, having won Olympic bronze medals at Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024, along with playing a decisive role in India’s gold-medal triumph at the 2025 Asia Cup.
The recommendations were finalised during a meeting of the national sports awards selection committee, comprising Indian Olympic Association vice-president Gagan Narang, former badminton international Aparna Popat, and former India hockey player MM Somaiya.
In addition, the committee proposed 24 athletes for the prestigious Arjuna Award, notably excluding cricketers from this year’s list. Among those recommended are rising chess star Divya Deshmukh, grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi, and decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, who claimed silver at the 2023 Asian Games and finished runner-up at the Asian Championships earlier this year.
A significant milestone was marked with the recommendation of Aarti Pal for the Arjuna Award, making her the first Yogasana athlete to receive the honour since the discipline gained official recognition from the Sports Ministry five years ago. Yogasana is set to feature as a demonstration sport at the 2026 Asian Games.
Other notable names on the Arjuna list include rifle shooter Mehuli Ghosh, a two-time World Championship bronze medallist; gymnast Pranati Nayak; and India’s top women’s badminton pair Trisha Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, the latter being the daughter of national coach and former All England champion Pullela Gopichand.
While the committee’s recommendations carry significant weight, the final decision rests with the Union Government and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which retain the authority to add or remove names before formal approval.
The Khel Ratna Award carries a medal, citation, and a cash prize of ₹2.5 million, while the Arjuna Award includes a cash prize of ₹1.5 million.