Nominations for Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar extended till August 31

The national-level award is given in the fields of Bravery, Sports, Social Service, Science and Technology, Environment, Arts and Culture, and Innovation.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has extended the last date of submission of nominations for the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar till August 31. Earlier, July 31 was the last date of submission. The national-level award is given in the fields of Bravery, Sports, Social Service, Science and Technology, Environment, Arts and Culture, and Innovation.

The ministry said that any Indian child, whose age is not exceeding 18 years as of the last date of receipt of the application, may apply for the award. Any other person may also nominate a deserving child for the award. The Ministry added that the applications for the award could be submitted on the official portal, www.awards.gov.in.

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

The Government of India had been conferring the award to children for their exceptional achievements. The awards were given to children for their merit in innovation, scholastic, sports, arts, culture, social service, music or any other field which deserves recognition. The awards for child welfare were also conferred to Individuals and Institutions. These awards were given in the following categories:

1. National Child Award for Exceptional Achievements – since 1996
2. National Child Welfare Award(Individual) – since 1979
3. National Child Welfare Award(Institution) – since 1979
4. Rajiv Gandhi Manav Sewa Award – since 1994

However, a need was felt to frame comprehensive common guidelines for these awards while incorporating a category of bravery to encourage children for their merits and social orientation. Hence, the Government of India introduced these awards under the name of “Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar” in two categories i.e

1) Bal Shakti Puraskar (Earlier known as National Child Award)
2) Bal Kalyan Puraskar (Earlier known as National Child Welfare Award) – Individual & Institution

These Awards are given during the week preceding the Republic Day Week. The awards are to be received personally only by the awardee. Normally the awards shall not be presented posthumously except in cases of bravery under Bal Shakti Puraskar. Further, it is only for the Indian Citizens.