Every year, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, honors distinguished senior citizens and institutions/organizations through the “National Award for Senior Citizens (Vayoshreshtha Samman)”. Among the various awards, the “Courage & Bravery” category recognizes senior citizens who have exhibited extraordinary courage in the face of grave danger. Additionally, sub-categories are available for male and female sportspersons who have displayed exemplary valor. These awards are conferred on 1st October at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, by the Hon’ble President of India.
Benefits
- Award Decoration:
The awardee receives a Citation, a Memento, and a Cash Award of ₹2,50,000. - Ceremony Benefits:
- The award is presented during a special ceremony on the International Day of Older Persons.
- Boarding and lodging expenses for the awardee and one companion are covered by the Central Government.
- To-and-fro travel expenses and accommodation for up to one day before and after the ceremony are reimbursed.
- TA/DA for the awardee and one companion is provided at the level of a Joint Secretary to the Government of India.
- Total Awardees:
The total number of awardees under the scheme is 15.
Eligibility
For the Nominee (Individual)
- Courage & Bravery:
The award is given to a senior citizen who has displayed exemplary courage in the face of grave danger. - Sub-categories:
Separate awards are proposed for male and female sportspersons. - Award Criteria:
- Contributions towards the protection of human rights, national security, or mitigation of social evils.
- Sustainable efforts made for the protection and betterment of society.
For Nominating Agencies/Individuals
- Ministries or Departments of the Government of India and their autonomous organizations.
- State Governments or Union Territory Administrations.
- Past recipients of Padma Awards, Vayoshreshtha Samman, and other National Awards.
- Members of the National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC).
- Renowned apex chambers (e.g., FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, National Association of Software and Service Companies, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, etc.).
- Any other persons or institutions authorized by the Ministry from time to time.
Note:
- The awards are open to all Indian institutions, organizations, and individuals without discrimination on grounds of religion, race, sex, caste, or creed.
- Self-nominations are not considered; the nominee must be recommended in writing by an authorized person.
Application Process
Online Registration
- Register:
- Visit the National Awards Portal and click “Register” at the top right.
- Fill in all mandatory fields (marked with a Red Asterisk), check the declaration checkboxes, enter the Captcha code, and click “Submit”.
- Login credentials will be sent to your registered mobile number.
- Application Submission:
- Log in using your credentials.
- From the list of awards, select “Vayoshreshtha Samman – National Awards for Senior Citizens” and click “Nominate / Apply Now”.
- Complete the online application form by filling in all mandatory fields and click “Submit”.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Photograph
- Bio-Data
- Proof of Age
- Proof of Address
- Proof of Educational Qualification (Passing Certificate, Marksheet)
- Proof of Professional Experience
- Details of work done in the last three years in the field
- Details of Awards and Honours Received
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What are the objectives of this scheme?
To honor senior citizens who have demonstrated exceptional courage in the face of grave danger and to recognize their contributions toward protecting human rights, national security, and mitigating social evils. -
When are these awards conferred?
The awards are conferred on 1st October every year. -
Who confers these awards?
The awards are presented by the Hon’ble President of India or the Prime Minister of India at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. -
What is the address of Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi?
Vigyan Bhawan is located in New Delhi. (For detailed address information, please refer to the official government website.) -
How many categories are there in this award?
There are a total of 13 award categories. -
What is the amount of the cash award in this scheme?
The cash award for the “Courage & Bravery” category is ₹2,50,000. -
Will the to-and-fro travelling expenses of the awardee be reimbursed?
Yes, travel expenses along with boarding, lodging, and accommodation for up to one day before and after the ceremony are reimbursed by the Central Government. -
Can I nominate myself for this award?
No, self-nominations are not permitted. -
What is the URL of the National Awards Portal?
The National Awards Portal can be accessed via the official Government of India website dedicated to National Awards. -
Can the application form be filled in Malayalam?
Please refer to the National Awards Portal for language options. -
Where can I find the PDF of the scheme guidelines?
The PDF guidelines are available for download on the National Awards Portal. -
Who can become a nominee for this award?
Eligible nominees are senior citizens who have exhibited exemplary courage in the face of grave danger, with separate recognition for male and female sportspersons.