The Major Dhyan Chand Award officially known as Major Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports & Games is the Lifetime Achievement Sporting Honor of the Republic of India.
The award is named after Hockey Wizard Major Dhyan Chand (1905–1979), an Indian legendary field hockey player who scored more than 1000 international goals during a career that spanned over 20 years from 1926 to 1948.
Dhyan Chand Award is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. The Recipients of the Dhyan Chand Award are selected by a committee constituted by the Ministry and are honored for their contributions to sport both during their active sporting career and after retirement.
As of 2022, the award comprises a Statuette, a Certificate, a Ceremonial Dress, and a Cash Prize of ₹10 lahks (US$12,000).
The award is given only to the disciplines included in the events like Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championship, and World Cup along with Cricket, Indigenous Games, and Parasports.
The nominations for a given year are accepted till 30th April or the last working day of April.
A nine-member committee evaluates the nominations and submits their recommendations to the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for further approval.
Usually conferred upon not more than three sportspersons in a year, a few exceptions have been made (2003, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, & 2022) when more recipients were awarded.
15 recipients received the Dhyana Chand Award in 2020 out of which 2 were Para-Athletes.
