Who Are the Arjuna Award 2025 Winners from India?

President Droupadi Murmu presented the Arjuna Awards 2025 to four athletes from kabaddi and hockey, recognising their contributions to India's achievements at major international sporting competitions. Kabaddi players Pooja and Surjeet, along with hockey players Lalremsiami and Rajkumar Pal, received the prestigious sporting honour for their performances at events including the Asian Games, Paris Olympics and Asian Championships.

The awards recognise sporting excellence over the previous four years, alongside leadership, sportsmanship and discipline. Their inclusion also highlights the contributions of Indian athletes competing in team sports at international competitions.

Key Highlights: Arjuna Awards 2025

Four featured recipients: Pooja and Surjeet (kabaddi), Lalremsiami and Rajkumar Pal (hockey).
President presenting the awards: Droupadi Murmu, recognising achievements at international sporting competitions.
Other recognised athletes: The 2025 Arjuna Award recipient list includes 17 sportspersons across athletics, badminton, boxing, chess, hockey, kabaddi, shooting and other disciplines.

Who Received the Arjuna Awards 2025 in Kabaddi and What Were Their Achievements?

Kabaddi players Pooja and Surjeet received the Arjuna Award 2025 for their achievements at major international competitions, including the Hangzhou Asian Games and Asian Kabaddi Championships. Pooja earned recognition for winning medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Sixth Asian Kabaddi Championship, while Surjeet was honoured for his medal-winning performances at the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Busan Asian Kabaddi Championship.

Pooja's recognition reflects her contribution to Indian kabaddi through performances at continental-level competitions. Her achievements at the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Sixth Asian Kabaddi Championship formed the basis of the award presented by President Droupadi Murmu.

The President of India's official handle highlighted these accomplishments while announcing the presentation. Its statement read, "President Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented the Arjuna Award, 2025 to Ms. Pooja for her outstanding achievements in kabaddi. Ms. Pooja won medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Sixth Asian Kabaddi Championship."

Surjeet also received the honour for his performances in international kabaddi. His medal-winning achievements at the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Busan Asian Kabaddi Championship were specifically recognised, placing his contribution to the sport among the achievements celebrated through the 2025 awards.

The President of India's official handle confirmed his recognition, stating that Surjeet received the Arjuna Award 2025 for his outstanding achievements in kabaddi. The recognition of both players brings attention to India's performances in a sport that continues to feature prominently in international multi-sport competitions.

Why Did Lalremsiami and Rajkumar Pal Receive the Arjuna Award 2025?

Hockey players Lalremsiami and Rajkumar Pal received the Arjuna Award 2025 for their contributions to India's international hockey achievements. Lalremsiami was recognised for her role in medal-winning performances at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Asian Champions Trophy, while Rajkumar Pal's recognition included his achievements at the Paris Olympics and Hulunbuir Asian Champions Trophy.

Lalremsiami's award acknowledges her contribution to India's performances across multiple major international hockey tournaments. The Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Asian Champions Trophy were specifically mentioned in the recognition, reflecting the range of competitions in which she contributed to India's medal-winning campaigns.

The President of India's official handle announced her award, recognising her outstanding achievements in hockey. Her inclusion among the Arjuna Award recipients highlights the contribution of Indian women hockey players to the country's international sporting record.

Rajkumar Pal was also honoured for his achievements in Indian hockey, with his medal-winning performances at the Paris Olympics and Hulunbuir Asian Champions Trophy forming the basis of his recognition. The Paris Olympics connection makes his achievement particularly notable, as the award acknowledges contributions made at one of the world's biggest sporting competitions.

President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to Rajkumar Pal, recognising his performances in international hockey. The recognition of Lalremsiami and Rajkumar Pal also demonstrates the importance of individual contributions within a team sport, where sustained performances help national teams compete for medals at major tournaments.

Who Are the Other Arjuna Award 2025 Winners?

The Arjuna Award 2025 list includes 17 sportspersons from different disciplines, extending recognition beyond kabaddi and hockey to athletics, badminton, boxing, chess, shooting and rowing. The selection reflects achievements across individual and team sports, with athletes recognised for their performances over the previous four years.

The recipients include Tejaswin Shankar, Muhammad Ajmal Variyathodi and Priyanka Goswami from athletics. Badminton players Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, boxer Narender, and chess players Vidit Santosh Gujarathi and Divya Jitendra Deshmukh also feature on the list.

The other recipients are Dhanush Srikanth in deaf shooting, Rudransh Khandelwal and Ekta Bhyan in para-shooting, Arvind Singh in rowing, and Akhil Sheoran in shooting. Lalremsiami, Rajkumar Pal, Surjeet and Pooja complete the list of 17 recipients.

The National Sports Awards recognise excellence across different sporting categories every year. The 2025 selections were based on recommendations from a Selection Committee chaired by former Supreme Court Judge Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, which considered sportspersons, coaches, and entities for recognition across categories.

The Arjuna Award for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games is given to athletes for good performance over the previous four years, while also considering leadership qualities, sportsmanship and discipline. This means the recognition is not restricted to a single competition or medal-winning performance but considers an athlete's achievements across a defined period.

What Are the Other National Sports Awards Categories in 2025?

The National Sports Awards include several categories designed to recognise different forms of contribution to Indian sports, including active athletes, retired sportspersons and coaches. The Arjuna Award (Lifetime) recognises former athletes who have contributed through their performances and continue supporting the promotion of sports after retiring from active sporting careers.

Former Indian footballer and coach Arumainayagam received the Arjuna Award (Lifetime) in the 2025 awards. The category acknowledges contributions that extend beyond an athlete's active competitive career, recognising continued involvement in promoting sporting activities.

The Dronacharya Award recognises coaches who have consistently performed outstanding and meritorious work and helped sportspersons excel at international events. While the Arjuna Award focuses on athletes' sporting achievements, the Dronacharya Award acknowledges the work of coaches behind the development and performance of successful sportspersons.

Together, these categories recognise different contributors to India's sporting achievements. The 2025 awards therefore celebrate not only individual performances but also the wider contribution of athletes, former players and coaches to the country's sporting ecosystem.