The Ministry of Women and Child Development has invited nominations for the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) 2026, with the application window remaining open until July 31, an official statement said on Tuesday.
The award celebrates the determination, talent, zeal and achievements of exceptional children across the country.
Children nominated for the award must be Indian citizens and residents of the country, aged between 5 and 18 years as of July 31, 2026. Previous recipients of the award in any category are not eligible. The act, incident or achievement for which the nomination is made must have occurred within two years of the nomination deadline.
The awardees are selected by a committee constituted by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development and headed by the Secretary of the Ministry. A child may be nominated in more than one category, although the committee reserves the right to consider only one application.
The President of India presents the awards on Veer Bal Diwas, observed annually on December 26 in memory of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the sons of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
Comprising a medal, a certificate and a citation, the PMRBP honours the resilience, courage, creativity and indomitable spirit of India’s young changemakers.
Since its inception in 2019, 203 children have received the award. Through the initiative, the government seeks to encourage children to strive for excellence not only in academics but also in social responsibility, innovation and personal conduct.
Around 25 awards are conferred annually on children for exceptional bravery and excellence in six categories — Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art and Culture, and Science and Technology.
Among the previous recipients is Anoushka Jolly, who won the Social Service Award in 2023 for creating the “Anti-Bullying Squad Kavach” app, which has provided mental health counselling support to students for the past four years.
Arnav Anupriya Maharshi, winner of the Science and Technology Award in 2025, is a 17-year-old from Aurangabad, Maharashtra, who developed an AI-based rehabilitation tool for hand paralysis despite living with physical disabilities.
Karina Thapa, who received the Bravery Award in 2024, is a 17-year-old from Amravati, Maharashtra, who saved 36 lives by removing a gas cylinder from an active fire scene during a rescue operation. She was later recognised as a Fire Brand Ambassador by the Municipal Corporation.
The PMRBP is more than a medal and a citation. It is the nation’s way of recognising young citizens whose courage, creativity and compassion inspire others.
By honouring them on Veer Bal Diwas, the government links today’s achievers to a timeless legacy. The sacrifice of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh embodied conviction and courage far beyond their years, the statement said.
-IANS
