An individual working as a fulltime or part time coach should have an excellent track record during the year for which the award is provided and besides that he should also have exhibited exceptional performance during the immediate three years prior to the year of the award. He is also supposed to be directly engaged in the act of coaching for the team or an individual for at least two years prior to the event for which the award is being conferred. A trainer or a coach promoting or conniving the use of banned drugs is also not considered to be qualified to receive the coveted Award. The achievement of a coach is measured through an individual sportsperson's performance in an individual event or winning a medal at any international competition, championship, world cup or Olympic Games. It is also assessed on the basis of creating or breaking a world record by the trainee athlete under that coach. The nominations for Dronacharya Award are invited by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports every year in the month of January.

Eligibility Criteria for Dronacharya Award


- The Dronacharya Award is one of the highest honors given in India for excellence in coaching and is awarded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
- The eligibility criteria for the Dronacharya Award includes the following key points:

1. Citizenship:
- The candidate must be an Indian citizen.

2. Coaching Experience:
- The candidate must have a minimum of 5 years of coaching experience at the national level or above.

3. Impact on Athletes:
- The candidate must have produced outstanding results and made a significant impact on the performance of their athletes at national and international competitions.

4. Age Limit:
- There is no specific age limit for eligibility, but the candidate must be actively involved in coaching at the time of nomination.

5. Clean Record:
- The candidate must have a clean record with no history of doping or any disciplinary action.

6. Nomination Process:
- Nominations for the Dronacharya Award can be made by National Sports Federations, State and Union Territory Governments, and the Sports Authority of India.

7. Selection Committee:
- The final selection is made by a committee appointed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which includes experts from various fields related to sports coaching.

8. Recognition and Benefits:
- Recipients of the Dronacharya Award are honored with a cash prize, a certificate, and a bronze statuette of Dronacharya. They also receive lifelong monthly pension from the Government of India.

9. Importance:
- The Dronacharya Award not only recognizes the efforts and dedication of coaches but also motivates them to continue their work in developing and nurturing talented athletes in the country.