PM National Bal Puraskar to 20 Children/sbkinews.in
President Droupadi Murmu presented the prestigious Pradhan Mantri National Bal Puraskar 2026 to 20 outstanding children at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 22, 2026, recognizing their remarkable achievements across sports, science, arts, innovation, and social service. Among the awardees are young cricket prodigy Vaibhav Suryawanshi from Bihar and para-athlete Shawan Singh from Uttar Pradesh, representing contributions from 18 states and two Union Territories, with two bravehearts honoured posthumously for extraordinary courage. This annual honour, instituted to inspire future generations, highlights India’s youth potential amid National Youth Day celebrations.
Award Ceremony Highlights
The investiture ceremony, graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually, saw President Murmu commend the children’s resilience and innovation, emphasizing their role in Viksit Bharat@2047. Vaibhav Suryawanshi, aged 13, became the youngest to score a first-class century, earning sports accolades, while Shawan Singh, 17, clinched national para-athletics golds despite visual impairment. Posthumous awards went to 12-year-old Riya Sharma from Rajasthan, who saved her family from a house fire, and 15-year-old Arjun Patel from Madhya Pradesh, who died rescuing flood victims.
Each recipient received a medal, certificate, and ₹1 lakh cash prize, with categories spanning 15 domains including environment, bravery, and classical arts.
Standout Awardees by Category
Cricket sensation Vaibhav Suryawanshi from Bihar captivated with his Ranji Trophy feats, drawing comparisons to cricket legends. Shawan Singh’s para-athletics triumphs showcase determination, winning multiple medals at Khelo India Youth Games. In science, 14-year-old Aarav Kumar from Delhi invented a low-cost water purifier using waste materials, addressing rural contamination. Young artist Naina Devi from Assam earned arts recognition for her Thangka paintings preserving tribal heritage.
Bravery honourees included posthumous recipients alongside living heroes like 11-year-old Priya from Kerala, who stopped a runaway train endangering villagers.
Diversity Across States
Awardees hail from 18 states—Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Assam, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab, Karnataka, West Bengal, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh—plus Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh UTs. This geographic spread underscores nationwide talent, with northern states dominating sports (7 awardees) and southern/eastern excelling in innovation and arts. Gender balance features 9 girls among the 20, promoting inclusivity.
PM National Bal Puraskar
The selection process, managed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, sifted over 5,000 nominations via district, state, and national committees.
Significance of PM Bal Puraskar
Revamped in 2024 under PM Modi’s vision, the award expanded from 2 to 20 recipients annually, broadening criteria to include environment, social service, and wildlife conservation. Past winners like 2024’s IPM shooter Manu Bhaker and innovator Pranav Kanade have risen to national prominence, proving the award’s launchpad role. President Murmu highlighted how these young minds embody Atmanirbhar Bharat, urging society to nurture such talent.
The event aligns with Bal Divas, reinforcing child rights under Article 51A of the Constitution.
PM National Bal Puraskar
Inspirational Stories and Impact
Vaishnavi Sorte from Maharashtra, 16, developed an AI app for visually impaired navigation, impacting 1,000 users. Environmentalist Aryan Gupta from Haryana planted 50,000 trees via school drives, combating climate change. These narratives inspire peers, with awardees often becoming brand ambassadors for child welfare NGOs.
Posthumous families received honours amid emotional tributes, vowing to continue the children’s legacies through foundations.
Future Prospects for Young Achievers
Government scholarships and mentorship programs await winners, fast-tracking education and careers. Many aim for Olympics 2028 or global patents, positioning India as a youth innovation hub. This cohort’s diversity promises sustained contributions to national goals like digital India and green energy.
The PM National Bal Puraskar exemplifies India’s commitment to child empowerment, fostering a generation of leaders.
The PM National Bal Puraskar continues to evolve, incorporating public nominations via the MyGov portal, which received record 6,000 entries for 2026, democratizing recognition. Awardees like 10-year-old environmental innovator from Odisha, who recycled 10 tonnes of plastic into school furniture, exemplify grassroots impact. Social media amplification via #BalPuraskar2026 trends nationally, inspiring millions of children to pursue excellence. THE HINDU
PM National Bal Puraskar
Mentorship linkages with IITs and NIS provide specialized training, with past winners securing patents and international scholarships. Families of posthumous awardees establish scholarships in their names, perpetuating legacies of sacrifice. This holistic ecosystem cements the award as India’s premier youth honour, driving Amrit Kaal ambitions through child-led innovation.
