Chhattisgarh State Sports Awards 2025–26: Interim List of Selected Players and Sports Personalities

The interim list of eligible players and sports personalities selected for the Chhattisgarh State Sports Awards 2025–26 has been released. The selection committee has shortlisted names for seven sports awards, including the Shaheed Rajiv Pandey Award.

A total of 300 applications were received for the awards. After scrutiny, the department released the interim list and invited online claims and objections until 23 August 2026. After disposal of objections, the state-level judging committee will meet again and the final list will be released.

Why in News?

Chhattisgarh has released the interim list of selected players and sports personalities for the State Sports Awards 2025–26.

Key Points

• 300 applications were received for the State Sports Awards.
• The selection committee shortlisted candidates for seven awards.
• 9 senior-level medal-winning players have been selected for the Shaheed Rajiv Pandey Award.
• The interim list includes players from Olympic, non-Olympic and para-sports categories.
• Online claims and objections have been invited until 23 August 2026.
• A state-level judging committee will consider the objections before the final list is released.
• The awards recognize achievements in sports performance, training and contribution to sports.

State Sports Awards of Chhattisgarh

The State Sports Awards are intended to recognize outstanding contributions and achievements by players, coaches, sports personalities and teams representing Chhattisgarh.

Major Awards and Prize Money

Exam Note: The Shaheed Rajiv Pandey Award carries the highest individual prize amount among the awards listed above.

Interim Selection List

The interim list covers the 2023–24 performance period and includes players and sports personalities from different sporting disciplines.

1. Shaheed Rajiv Pandey Award

Olympic Sports

• Vikas Kumar – Archery
• Kiran Pisda – Football
• Deepanshi Netam – Fencing
• Sujey Tamboli & Ayush Makhija – Badminton, jointly

Non-Olympic Sports

• Sanju Devi – Kabaddi
• Reema Rai & Misha Kumari – Netball, jointly

Para Sports

• Lucky Yadav

Total: 9 selected players/awardees.

2. Shaheed Kaushal Yadav Award

Olympic Sports

• Divyanshu Dewangan – Shooting
• Vikram Raj – Archery
• Divyang Agrawal – Badminton
• Sonika Rajwade – Athletics

Non-Olympic Sports

• Swapnil Pradhan & Bhumika Chaudhary – Wushu, jointly
• Pooja – Netball

Para Sports

• Nikhil Kumar Yadav – Para Athletics

3. Veer Hanuman Singh Award

• Ajaydeep Sarang – Weightlifting (Training)

The award recognizes contribution related to sports training and development.

4. Shaheed Vinod Choubey Samman

The interim list includes:

• Gangeshwar – Athletics
• Khwaja Ahmed – Volleyball
• Avan Kumar Jain – Weightlifting
• Mohammad Akram Khan – Volleyball
• Pradeep Joshi – Table Tennis

5. Shaheed Pankaj Vikram Samman

The selected names are:

• Sanskar Diwan
• Vidya Singh
• Ankush Singh
• Jhamita Sahu
• Hemshikhar
• Arandim Devnath
• Shivanshu Kesharwani
• Aditi Kumari
• Ajinkya Singh
• Sneha Nyogi
• Anmol Singh
• Semeshwar Singh
• Yash Kerketta
• Shrikant Pandey
• Tukesh Sahu
• Stuti Sophia Masih
• Khushal Yadav

6. Chief Minister’s Trophy

The Chief Minister’s Trophy is awarded for outstanding performance by junior and senior teams.

Senior Women’s Archery Team

Players:

• Chandni Sahu
• Sulochana Raj
• Payal Maravi
• Maya

Coach: Itwari Raj

Junior Girls’ Soft Tennis Team

Players:

• Purnima Phaniker
• Chanchal Sarathi
• Yamini Nishad
• Riya Sonkar
• Muskan Nishad
• Alfi Joseph
• Prerna Phaniker
• Ranjana Chauhan

Coach: Dilip Kumar Vishwakarma
Manager: Reema Rai

Selection Process

The selection process involves multiple stages:

Applications → Scrutiny → Interim Selection List → Claims & Objections → State-Level Judging Committee → Final List

Important Point

The current list is interim, not final. The department has invited claims and objections until 23 August 2026. The final awardees will be announced after the objections are examined by the state-level committee.

Significance

• Recognition of Sporting Excellence
  • The awards provide institutional recognition to players who have performed strongly at different levels and across different sporting disciplines.
• Promotion of Diverse Sports
  • The list covers Olympic, non-Olympic and para-sports, showing the broader scope of sports development in Chhattisgarh.
• Encouragement for Young Athletes
  • The Chief Minister’s Trophy provides recognition to both junior and senior teams, encouraging athletes at different stages of their careers.
• Support for Para Sports
  • The inclusion of para-athletes under major awards highlights the importance of inclusive sports development.
• Strengthening Sports Culture
  • State-level awards can motivate players, coaches and sports personalities and contribute to a stronger sports ecosystem in Chhattisgarh.

Chhattisgarh Perspective

• Event: Chhattisgarh State Sports Awards 2025–26
• Status: Interim list released
• Applications Received: 300
• Major Individual Award: Shaheed Rajiv Pandey Award
• Selected for Shaheed Rajiv Pandey Award: 9
• Objection Deadline: 23 August 2026
• Highest Individual Prize: ₹3 lakh + Trophy
• Teams Recognized Through: Chief Minister’s Trophy
• Sports Categories: Olympic, non-Olympic and para-sports
• Performance Period Mentioned: 2023–24

Important Awards at a Glance

One-Minute Revision

• Current Issue: Interim list of Chhattisgarh State Sports Awards 2025–26 released.
• Applications: 300.
• Awards: 7 major awards/categories.
• Highest Individual Award: Shaheed Rajiv Pandey Award.
• Prize: ₹3 lakh + Trophy.
• Rajiv Pandey Award: 9 selected awardees.
• Other Major Awards: Shaheed Kaushal Yadav Award, Veer Hanuman Singh Award, Shaheed Vinod Choubey Samman and Shaheed Pankaj Vikram Samman.
• Team Award: Chief Minister’s Trophy.
• Junior Team Prize: ₹5 lakh.
• Senior Team Prize: ₹3 lakh.
• Objection Deadline: 23 August 2026.
• Final Selection: After consideration of claims and objections by the state-level judging committee.
• Performance Period: 2023–24.
• Sports Covered: Olympic, non-Olympic and para-sports.

CGPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Question 1

Consider the following statements regarding the Chhattisgarh State Sports Awards 2025–26:

1. A total of 300 applications were received.
2. Nine players were selected for the Shaheed Rajiv Pandey Award.
3. The interim list is the final list of awardees.
4. Claims and objections have been invited against the interim list.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: A

Question 2

Which of the following awards carries a prize of ₹3 lakh and a trophy under the Chhattisgarh State Sports Awards?

A. Shaheed Kaushal Yadav Award
B. Veer Hanuman Singh Award
C. Shaheed Rajiv Pandey Award
D. Shaheed Vinod Choubey Samman

Correct Answer: C

Question 3

With reference to the Chief Minister’s Trophy mentioned in the State Sports Awards 2025–26, which statement is correct?

A. It is awarded only to senior teams.
B. It is awarded only to individual players.
C. It recognizes outstanding junior and senior teams.
D. It is exclusively meant for para-sports teams.

Correct Answer: C

CGPSC Mains Practice Questions

Question 1:
Discuss the role of state-level sports awards in promoting sporting excellence and strengthening the sports ecosystem in Chhattisgarh.

Question 2:
Examine the significance of recognizing Olympic, non-Olympic and para-sports through the Chhattisgarh State Sports Awards.

Conclusion

The release of the interim list of Chhattisgarh State Sports Awards 2025–26 highlights the state’s efforts to recognize sporting achievements across Olympic, non-Olympic and para-sports. With 300 applications received and nine players shortlisted for the Shaheed Rajiv Pandey Award, the awards provide recognition and encouragement to athletes and sports personalities. The final list will be issued after the completion of the claims-and-objections process and state-level scrutiny.