List of "Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna" Award Winners Till Date

In India, for achievements in the field of ‘Sports’ the “Arjuna Awards” are being given every year, from 1961.

However, it was decided by the Government of India to have an award higher than the “Arjuna Award” for the most outstanding performance in ‘Sports’ by individuals or a team.

And, the “Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna” Award was instituted in the year 1991-92, in the name of the former Prime Minister of India, Late. Mr.Rajiv Gandhi.

At present, the “Khel Ratna Award” is the highest honour given to eminent Indian ‘Sports Persons’ for achievement in ‘Sports’. “Khel Ratna” in Hindi, means “Gem of Sports” .

The “Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award” consists of the following:

A Medal,

A Scroll of Honour and

Cash (Rs 7.5 Lakhs)

From the year of institution of the award 1991-92, the cash component of the award had been Rs 5 Lakhs until the year 2004-05 and the cash component had been increased to Rs 7.5 Lakhs from the year 2004-05.

The following is the List of Indian Sports Person who have received the “Rajiv Gandhi-Khel Ratna Award” from the year 1991-92 Till Date -2012-13:

Year/Name of the Awardee /Sports Discipline
1991–92 /Viswanathan Anand/Chess