Govt To Consolidate Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award Into One National Award

The Home Ministry has recommended the consolidation of India's highest sporting honours, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards, into a single national award. The Sports Ministry replied that they might comply with the proposal next year. Besides, the MHA heeded previous year's increase in awardees for the Dronacharya and Dhyanchand categories from the conventional 32 to an unprecedented 74 recipients. Reportedly, the extension was to motivate athletes for the deferred Tokyo Olympics.