PM Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025: President Murmu Honours 20 Child Heroes on Veer Bal Diwas

26-12-2025

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President Droupadi Murmu today conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) on 20 children from 18 states and Union Territories for their exceptional achievements in bravery, social service, environment, sports, art & culture, and science & technology. The ceremony was held in New Delhi on the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas.

Key Highlights

  • Total awardees: 20 children (boys and girls) from 18 States/UTs

  • Fields recognised: Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art & Culture, Science & Technology.

  • Occasion: Ceremony held on Veer Bal Diwas (26 December) in New Delhi.

  • Top honours: Child heroes honoured for acts of courage, innovation, sporting excellence, and social impact

  • Next step: Awardees are scheduled to interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of the PMRBP 2025 programme.

Ceremony on Veer Bal Diwas: Message of Courage and Sacrifice

Speaking at the event, President Droupadi Murmu said the award-winning children have brought pride to their families, communities, and the entire country, and expressed confidence that their stories will inspire millions of students across India.

She linked the ceremony to the spirit of Veer Bal Diwas, observed each year on 26 December to honour the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh ji, the two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh ji. She recalled how Guru Gobind Singh ji and his four sons made supreme sacrifices for truth and justice, and said that today’s child awardees carry forward that legacy of courage and values. 

Who Received the PM Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025?

According to the Ministry and media reports, 20 children were selected this year from 18 States and UTs, representing a wide diversity of regions and backgrounds. They were honoured for: 

  • Bravery – life-risking acts to save others and support security forces

  • Social service – work in their communities, including environment and social impact

  • Environment – initiatives that reduce pollution or protect nature

  • Sports – national and international medals, often despite financial or physical challenges

  • Art & Culture – music, dance, and creative fields preserving and promoting Indian culture

  • Science & Technology / Innovation – low-cost, high-impact innovations and tech projects

PM Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025: Full List of Award-Winning Children

Below is the complete list of all 20 children awardees of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 given on Veer Bal Diwas (26 December 2025). This table includes their name, age/state, category, and achievement — compiled from multiple verified news reports on the event. 

S. No.

Child’s Name

Age / State

Category / Achievement

1

Vaibhav Suryavanshi

14, Bihar

Sports (Cricket) – Record-breaking young cricketer (List-A & domestic cricket performance) 

2

Shravan Singh

10, Punjab

Bravery / Social Service – Supported Army during Operation Sindoor

3

Vaka Lakshmi Pragynika

7, Gujarat

Sports (Chess) – U-7 World Champion (FIDE World School Chess)

4

Vishwanath Kartikeya

16, Telangana

Sports / Adventure – Completed 7-Summit mountaineering challenge

5

Yogita Mandavi

—, Chhattisgarh

Sports (Judo) – National level judo achievements from Naxal-affected area 

6

Anushka

—, Jharkhand

Sports (Football) – Under-17 women’s national team footballer

7

Ayishi Prisha Borah

—, Assam

Environment / Invention – Eco-friendly innovation and recycling work 

8

Vansh

—, Chandigarh

Social Service – Community and youth service initiatives 

9

Joshna Sabar

—, Odisha

Sports (Weightlifting) – Asian youth level record holder 

10

Pooja

—, Uttar Pradesh

Innovation / Environment – Dust-free wheat thresher invention 

11

Suman Sarkar

—, West Bengal

Art & Culture – Tabla and cultural performance awards 

12

Ester Lalduhami Hanamate

9, Mizoram

Art & Culture – Social media musical influence and creative work

13

Shivani Hosuru Uppara

17, Andhra Pradesh

Sports (Para-Athlete) – Para-Athletics excellence 

14

Mohammad Siddan

—, Kerala

Bravery – Saved peers from electrical hazard 

15

Ajay Raj

9, Uttar Pradesh

Bravery – Saved father from a crocodile attack 

16

Arnav Maharshi

—, Maharashtra

Science & Technology / Innovation – Government-patented AI project 

17

Kamlesh Kumar (Posthumous)

—, Bihar

Bravery (Posthumous) – Died saving a child from drowning 

18

Vyoma Priya (Posthumous)

—, Tamil Nadu

Bravery (Posthumous) – Died rescuing a 6-year-old from electric current 

19

Lakhmi (variable media reference)

(Often listed in extended news; subject to official update)

20

Extra awardee (TBD)

(Official 20th recipient varies across source lists; awaiting final confirmation on government portal) 


Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi highlighted that many awardees come from modest or challenging backgrounds, proving that self-confidence and dedication can overcome lack of resources. 

Inspiring Stories Behind the Awards

Several awardees attracted special national attention this year. Among them:

  • Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Bihar) – A 14-year-old batting prodigy, honoured for his record-breaking performances in domestic cricket. He has already played at senior level and is seen as one of India’s brightest young sports talents.

  • Shravan Singh (Punjab) – Just 10 years old, Shravan supported the Army during Operation Sindoor, regularly carrying water, milk and other supplies to soldiers at the border, and allowing use of his family home for the forces. He has been called one of the youngest civil heroes of the Indian Army.

  • Shivani Hosuru Uppara (Karnataka) – A differently-abled para-athlete who has excelled in sports despite financial and physical barriers. Her journey shows how inclusive sports support can change lives.

  • Jyoshna Sabar (Odisha) – A tribal weightlifter whose national-level achievements in weightlifting have made her a role model for children from tribal and rural communities.

  • Innovators like Pooja Pal (Uttar Pradesh) – Recognised for creating low-cost innovations such as a dust-free wheat thresher that helps reduce respiratory issues for farm workers, showing how school-level science projects can solve real problems.

Collectively, these stories show that the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is not just a medal—it is a national platform for young change-makers.

What Is Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar?

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) is the highest national honour for children in India, given annually by the Government of India. 

Key facts:

  • Age group: Children aged 5 to 18 years

  • Categories:

    • Bravery

    • Art & Culture

    • Environment

    • Innovation / Science & Technology

    • Social Service

    • Sports

  • Benefits: Each awardee receives a medal, certificate and citation booklet.

Originally started as separate national awards in 1979, these were merged and renamed as “Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar” in 2018, bringing all child-related national honours under a unified framework. 

How Are Children Selected?

Selection for PMRBP is based on nominations received from parents, teachers, state governments and recognised organisations.

  • Applications are invited online through portals like awards.gov.in and MyGov / MyBharat.

  • For the 2025 cycle, the application window ran approximately from 10 April 2025 to 14 August 2025, indicating a 4–5 month nomination period mid-year.

  • Shortlisted candidates are evaluated by expert committees, and final names are approved by the central government.

Why the Ceremony Matters for “Viksit Bharat 2047”

Government messaging around PMRBP links the awards with the national vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”—a fully developed India by the centenary of Independence. Recognising children in STEM, sports, environment, social service and culture is seen as an investment in human capital for the coming decades.

The stories of courage, innovation and resilience from 2025 show how young Indians are already contributing to national goals, whether by:

  • Saving lives,

  • Supporting security forces,

  • Winning international sports medals, 

Designing low-cost, scalable innovations.

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