Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, formerly known as the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement, [1] is India's Highest Civilian Honour bestowed upon exceptional achievers under the age of 18. The award was instituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India in 1996 to recognize children with exceptional abilities and outstanding status in various fields such as arts, culture, design, innovation, research, social service, and sports.[2]

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
President Ram Nath Kovind Conferring The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, 2020.
TypeHighest National Honour for Minors, Equivalent to Bharat Ratna under 18
Awarded forThe most exceptionally talented children with exceptional abilities and outstanding achievements in the fields of innovation, scholastic achievements, social service, arts & culture, bravery, and sports are awarded "The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar".
VenueDurbar Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan
Country India
Presented by

Government of India
Reward(s)A Medal, Cash prize of Rs.1 lakh and A Tablet
First awarded1996
Last awarded2021
TotalAround 100
Websitenca-wcd.nic.in
Precedence
Next (higher)Padma Shri
Next (lower)Bal Kalyan Puraskar

The award is conferred by the President of India in the week preceding the Republic Day[3] in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, where the nation's other prestigious civilian honours like the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri are also presented. Previously, the awards were conferred on Children's Day. The Prime Minister of India also meets with the awardees at his residence, 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.[4][5] The awardees also participate in the Republic Day Parade.[6][7][8]

Award

The award for Individuals consists of a medal, cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000/- each and a citation, and a certificate.[9]

Procedure for sending the nominations
  1. Open nominations from public will be received only through a website. (i.e:www.nca-wcd.nic.in). Applications received other than online mode will not be entertained.
  2. The web portal to accept nominations round the year while limiting consideration up to 31st August of the respective year,for awards to be given in the month of January, next year. Applications received after the due date will be considered for the awards in the next year.
  3. Any citizen can recommend a child having exceptional achievement through the online portal.
  4. Applications received by the due date will be sent to the State/UT and District Collector/District Magistrate, other government/appropriate agencies/organizations for verification of the content and achievements by 15th October.
  5. Thereafter, the applications will be shortlisted based on the eligibility criteria.[9]

Eligibility criteria

1. A child who is an Indian Citizen and residing in India above the age of 5 years and not exceeding 18 years (as on 31st August of the respective year).[9]

2. Excellence in any one of the following fields (achievements that benefit society will be encouraged):

S.No Field of Achievement Description
1 Innovation Innovation in the field of science and social science may be considered. The initiative taken to impact the human lives as well as ecology and environment in a positive manner may be considered.
2 Social Service Leadership skills in motivating and mobilizing society against social evils like child marriage, sexual abuse, alcoholism etc should be encouraged.
3 Scholastic Consistent achievements in scholastic at National and International level to be encouraged.
4 Sports Consistent achievements in sports at National and International levels to be encouraged.
5 Art & Culture Consistent achievements in art & culture at National and International level in art, music (vocal & instrumental), dance, painting or any other form of art/culture.
6 Bravery To acknowledge and encourage:-

•   Selfless service in the face of risk to her/his own life;

•   And/or an act of outstanding courage and daring against an adverse natural or manmade situations.

•  And/or an exceptional act of mental strength , quick wit and presence of mind in the face of grave danger to self and society

3. The achievement should not be one-off, but carried out over a period of time. The achievements should be indicative of child’s passion in respective field and suggestive of a bright future in particular field.

4. The context and background of the child should also be criteria. For example, the achievements of a child in different circumstances should be given weightage.

Date of receipt of recommendation:

Particulars of the recommended Child/Individual/Institution for the award should be furnished on the web portal by 31st August of the respective year.[9]

Selection committee

A National Selection Committee, headed by Minister, MWCD or MoS, MWCD will finalize the names of the awardees for the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar.[9]

Composition of the Selection Committee for Bal Puraskar
1 Minister or MoS, Ministry of Women and Child Development Chairperson
2 Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development Member
3 Additional Secretary, MWCD Member
4 Secretary or her/his representative in the Department of School Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs Member
5 Subject expert in each field and child psychologist, sociologists, police/paramilitary/defense personnel/disability expert, etc Member
6 Joint Secretary(Child Welfare), Ministry of Women and Child Development Member Secretary

References
  1. "President of India confers "Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar" today in New Delhi". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  2. "Ministry of Women and Child Development". nca-wcd.nic.in. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  3. DelhiJanuary 23, Indo-Asian News Service New; January 23, 2019UPDATED; Ist, 2019 00:04. "President Kovind awards 26 children for innovation, bravery". India Today. Retrieved 13 January 2020.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. "PM interacts with winners of Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2019". www.pmindia.gov.in. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  5. "PM Modi interacts with Rashtriya Bal Puraskar winners, 2020". PMO India.
  6. "Children conferred national awards all smiles at R-Day parade". The Times of India. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  7. A student who built a device to predict ‘silent’ heart attacks. YouTube.
  8. ali, nayare (11 February 2018). "A heart for research". Deccan Chronicle.
  9. "Latest Official Guidelines" (PDF).
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