Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
Basic overview
Nature: India’s highest civilian honour for children
Administering ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development
First instituted:
National Child Welfare Awards (1979)
National Child Award (1996)
Current form: Merged and renamed in 2018 as Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
Venue (normally): Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
Time of conferment: Week preceding Republic Day (26 January).
The award honours young achievers in six categories: Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art & Culture, and Science & Technology.
A maximum of 25 awards are conferred annually. The PMRBP committee can relax this limit in exceptional cases.
Categories
1. Bal Shakti Puraskar
For: Children (Indian citizens)
Age criteria: 5–18 years (as on 31 August of nomination year)
Child must be an Indian citizen
Last date for nomination: 31 August
2. Bal Kalyan Puraskar
For: Individuals and institutions
Fields:
Child development
Child protection
Child welfare
Categories:
Individual (3 awards)
Institution (3 awards)
Individual category:
Indian citizen
18 years or above (as on 31 August)
Not employed by an institution
Institution category:
Institution working in any field of child welfare
Nominee must show sustained contribution over several years
Award components
Medal
Cash prize
Certificate and citation
Additional benefits for Bal Shakti awardees:
Book vouchers
Participation in Republic Day Parade
Specified central pool reservation in medical education (MoHFW)
Conferment and special features
Conferred by the President of India
Prime Minister interacts with awardees at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg
COVID-19 phase (2021–22):
Online ceremony
First-ever blockchain-based certificates (with IIT Kanpur)
2023: Ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan
2025: Award conferred on Veer Bal Divas (2025)
Selection process
Selection by a committee comprising:
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Other concerned departments
Subject experts from relevant fields
Notable awardees mentioned
Bal Shakti Puraskar (2025):
Anish Sarkar
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Dhinidhi Desinghu
Bal Kalyan Puraskar:
Anand Kumar (2017)
About Veer Bal Diwas
It is observed on December 26 every year, starting in 2022.
It is commemorated in remembrance of the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh ji’s (the tenth Sikh Guru) sons Sahibzada Zorawar Singh ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh ji.
The objective is to honour the bravery of the two young heroes of the country.
Prelims Practice MCQs
Q. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, consider the following statements:
It is the highest civilian award for children in India.
It is administered by the Ministry of Education.
It includes awards for both children and institutions.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct.
Statement 2 is incorrect; it is administered by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Statement 3 is correct (Bal Shakti + Bal Kalyan).
Q. The Bal Shakti Puraskar is awarded for achievements in all of the following fields except:
(a) Innovation
(b) Child welfare
(c) Bravery
(d) Sports
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Child welfare falls under Bal Kalyan Puraskar, not Bal Shakti.
Q. Which of the following statements regarding Bal Kalyan Puraskar is/are correct?
It is awarded only to institutions.
Individuals eligible must not be employed by an institution.
It existed before the Bal Shakti Puraskar.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect (both individuals and institutions).
Statements 2 and 3 are correct.