Every year, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India honors distinguished senior citizens and institutions through the National Award for Senior Citizens (Vayoshreshtha Samman). Among these prestigious accolades, the Iconic Mother Award is dedicated to celebrating women who, against significant odds, have nurtured their children and supported them to excel in their chosen fields. This award recognizes unwavering dedication, resilience, and the invaluable role these mothers play in shaping future generations.
Benefits
- Decoration: Each awardee receives a prestigious Citation, Memento, and a cash award of ₹2,50,000.
- Travel and Accommodation: The Central Government covers boarding, lodging, and to-and-fro travel expenses for the awardee and one accompanying companion.
- Recognition: The award ceremony, held on the International Day of Older Persons, enhances the profile of the recipient nationally and promotes the cause of elderly empowerment.
Eligibility
For the Nominee (Iconic Mother)
- Gender and Age: The nominee must be a woman and at least 60 years of age.
- Parental Dedication: The nominee should have raised her children under challenging circumstances and supported them to achieve high levels of success.
- Social Impact: The nominee must have demonstrated unwavering devotion, instilled strong values and ethics, and actively fought for the protection and empowerment of the girl child.
- Recognition: Her contributions should have earned wide recognition from society for fostering empowerment and excellence among her children.
For Nominating Agencies/Individuals
- Authorized Nominators: Nominations can be made by government ministries, state or union territory administrations, past national awardees, members of the National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC), or renowned apex chambers such as FICCI, CII, and ASSOCHAM.
- Self-nominations: These are not accepted. The nominee must be recommended in writing by an authorized person or organization.
Application Process
Online Registration and Nomination
- Registration:
- Visit the National Awards Portal and click “Register” at the top right of the homepage.
- Complete the registration form by filling in all mandatory fields (marked with a red asterisk) and checking the declaration boxes. Submit the form and receive your login credentials on your registered mobile number.
- Nomination/Application:
- Log in to the portal using your credentials.
- From the list of awards, select “Vayoshreshtha Samman – National Awards for Senior Citizens” and click “Nominate / Apply Now”.
- Fill in the online nomination form with all mandatory details and upload the required documents.
- Tick the declaration confirming the accuracy of the information, then submit your nomination.
- Selection Process:
- A Screening Committee under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reviews the nominations.
- The final selection is made by a Selection Committee chaired by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Recent 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 of senior citizen welfare
- Details of Awards and Honors Received (attach citations, if any)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the objectives of this scheme?
A1: The scheme aims to honor outstanding senior citizens and organizations that have rendered distinguished service for the welfare of the elderly, with a special focus on recognizing women who have excelled as mothers under challenging circumstances.
Q2: When are these awards conferred?
A2: The awards are conferred on 1st October every year, coinciding with the International Day of Older Persons.
Q3: Who confers these awards?
A3: The awards are presented by the Hon’ble President of India or the Prime Minister of India at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Q4: What is the cash award for the Iconic Mother category?
A4: The cash award for the Iconic Mother category is ₹2,50,000.
Q5: Will the to-and-fro travelling expenses of the awardee be reimbursed?
A5: Yes, the Central Government covers travel and accommodation expenses for the awardee and one companion.
Q6: Can I nominate myself for this award?
A6: No, self-nominations are not accepted. Nominations must be made by an authorized agency or individual.
Q7: What is the URL of the National Awards Portal?
A7: The URL is provided on the official website of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Q8: Is bio-data a mandatory document for individual categories of the award?
A8: Yes, a detailed bio-data is required as part of the nomination documents.
Q9: Where can I find the PDF of the scheme guidelines?
A9: The PDF of the scheme guidelines is available on the National Awards Portal along with the application forms and user manual.
Q10: Who can become a nominee for this award?
A10: Nominees include outstanding senior citizens who have made significant contributions to the welfare of the elderly, particularly those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication as mothers under challenging circumstances.