In the world of arts, science, sports, literature, cinema, and public service, recognition through prestigious awards and honors plays a vital role in celebrating excellence. The year 2024–2025 has been marked by several outstanding achievements across various fields, with individuals and institutions receiving accolades at national and international levels. This article provides a detailed overview of the most significant awards, honorees, and their contributions to society.
🏆 National & International Awards in 2024–2025
Bharat Ratna 2024 – India’s Highest Civilian Honor
The Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, was conferred upon five distinguished personalities in 2024:
- Karpuri Thakur – Former Chief Minister of Bihar
- L.K. Advani – Co-founder of BJP and former Deputy Prime Minister
- M.S. Swaminathan – Father of the Green Revolution
- P.V. Narasimha Rao – Former Prime Minister of India
- Chaudhary Charan Singh – Former Prime Minister of India
This recognition underscores their immense contributions to Indian politics, agriculture, and governance.
Jnanpith Award 2024 – India’s Highest Literary Honor
The 59th Jnanpith Award (2024) was awarded to Vinod Kumar Shukla, a renowned Hindi writer from Chhattisgarh. He is the first recipient from the state to receive this prestigious literary honor, which includes a cash prize of ₹11 lakh. Established in 1965, the Jnanpith Award remains the oldest and most respected literary award in India.
Padma Awards 2025 – Celebrating Excellence Across Sectors
The Padma Awards 2025 recognized 139 individuals for their exceptional work in diverse fields such as art, science, public affairs, and social service. These awards continue to inspire generations by honoring those who have made a lasting impact on society.
Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2025
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) received the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2025 under the institutional category. With a cash prize of ₹51 lakh, INCOIS was recognized for its pioneering work in disaster management and oceanographic research.
PM Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024
A total of 17 children were honored under the PM Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024, presented by President Draupadi Murmu. These young achievers were recognized in seven categories: Art, Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Social Service, Sports, and Environment, each receiving a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.
🎯 Sports Awards and Recognitions
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024
India’s highest sporting honor, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, was bestowed upon four athletes:
- Gukesh D (Chess)
- Harmanpreet Singh (Hockey)
- Praveen Kumar (Para-Athletics)
- Manu Bhaker (Shooting)
These athletes have brought pride to the nation through their remarkable performances on global platforms.
ICC Awards 2024 – Cricketing Excellence
The ICC Awards 2024 celebrated cricketing brilliance across formats:
- ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year: Arshdeep Singh (India)
- ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year: Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)
- ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year: Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)
- ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year: Smriti Mandhana (India)
- ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year: Jasprit Bumrah (India)
BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2024
Manu Bhaker, India’s first woman shooter to win an Olympic medal, was honored as the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2024. She won a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Best FIFA Football Awards 2024
- Best FIFA Men’s Player: Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)
- Best FIFA Women’s Player: Aitana Bonmatí (Spain)
- Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez (Argentina)
- Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher (USA)
Laureus World Sports Awards 2024
- Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic (Tennis)
- Sportswoman of the Year: Aitana Bonmatí (Football)
- Breakthrough of the Year: Jude Bellingham (Football)
📚 Literary and Cultural Awards
Sahitya Akademi Awards 2024
The Sahitya Akademi Awards, considered the second-highest literary honor in India after the Jnanpith Award, were conferred upon writers across 24 languages. In English, the award went to Easterine Kire for her novel Spirit Nights.
Booker Prize 2024
- Winner (Fiction): Samantha Harvey for Orbital
- International Booker Prize: Jenny Erpenbeck for Kairos, translated by Michael Hofmann
Ramon Magsaysay Award 2024
Renowned Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki was honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2024, often referred to as Asia’s Nobel Peace Prize. Other recipients included environmentalists and rural development advocates.
🎬 Cinema and Performing Arts
Oscar Awards 2025 (97th Academy Awards)
- Best Film: Anora
- Best Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
- Best Actress: Mikey Madison (Anora)
- Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora)
- Best Animated Feature Film: Flow
National Film Awards 2024
- Best Feature Film: Aattam
- Best Actor: Rishab Shetty (Kantara)
- Best Actress: Nithya Menen and Manasi Parekh
- Best Director: Sooraj Barjatya (Unchai)
Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2024
- Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan)
- Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs Chatterjee vs Norwa)
- Best Film: Jawan
- Best Director: Sandeep Reddy Vanga (Animal)
🧠 Science, Technology, and Innovation
IAF World Space Award
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath was honored with the IAF World Space Award for his leadership in the success of Chandrayaan-3, India’s lunar exploration mission.
G. D. Birla Award for Scientific Research 2023
The prestigious G. D. Birla Award for Scientific Research 2023 was awarded to Aditi Sen De, recognizing her outstanding contributions to quantum physics and information theory.
SASTRA Ramanujan Prize 2024
Alexander Dunn from the Georgia Institute of Technology, USA, was awarded the SASTRA Ramanujan Prize 2024 for his groundbreaking work in number theory.
🌍 Environmental and Humanitarian Recognition
UN Champions of the Earth Award 2024
Madhav Gadgil, noted Indian ecologist, was honored with the UN Champions of the Earth Award 2024 for his lifetime achievement in environmental conservation.
Goldman Environmental Prize 2024
Environmental activist Alok Shukla from Chhattisgarh was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize 2024 for protecting over 4.45 lakh acres of biodiversity-rich forests.
Green Oscar – Whitley Gold Award 2024
Purnima Devi Barman, a wildlife conservationist from Assam, was awarded the Whitley Gold Award 2024 for her efforts in saving the greater adjutant stork.
🏙️ Urban Development and Infrastructure
Swachh Survekshan 2024–2025 – Cleanest Cities in India
- Million Plus Cities: Indore (MP)
- Big Cities (3–10 Lakh Population): Noida (UP)
- Medium Cities: Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh)
- Very Small City: Panchgani (Maharashtra)
Indore retained its title as the cleanest city in India for the seventh consecutive year.
Water Warrior City – Noida
Noida was declared the “Water Warrior” city for its innovative sewage treatment and water reuse initiatives, led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
👩🎓 Education and Governance
e-Governance Award 2024 – Poshan Tracker Initiative
The Ministry of Women and Child Development won the National e-Governance Gold Award 2024 for its Poshan Tracker initiative, aimed at monitoring child growth and nutrition using real-time data.
National Water Awards 2023
- Best State: Odisha
- Best Districts: Banda (Uttar Pradesh), Ganderbal (J&K)
- Best Panchayat: Pullampara (Kerala)
💼 Public Figures and Global Recognition
TIME Magazine’s Women of the Year 2025
Purnima Devi Barman was named among TIME Magazine’s Women of the Year 2025, highlighting her contribution to wildlife conservation.
Miss Universe 2024
Victoria Kjaer Theilvig from Denmark was crowned Miss Universe 2024, marking the country’s first win in the pageant.
Miss India Worldwide 2024
Dhruvi Patel from the USA was crowned Miss India Worldwide 2024, representing the Indian diaspora with pride.
Miss World 2024
Krystyna Pyszkova from the Czech Republic won the Miss World 2024 title, hosted in Mumbai, India.
🎶 Music and Entertainment
Grammy Awards 2025
- Album of the Year: Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé
- Best New Age Album: Triveni by Chandrika Tandon (Indian-American musician)
- Best Immersive Audio Album (2023 Winner): Ricky Kej for Divine Tides
Pen Pinter Prize 2024
Acclaimed author Arundhati Roy was honored with the Pen Pinter Prize 2024 for her fearless writing and literary excellence.
🏛️ Institutional Recognition
Nelson Mandela Award 2024 for Health Promotion
The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) was honored with the Nelson Mandela Award 2024 for its contributions to mental health promotion.
Risk Manager of the Year Award 2024
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was awarded the Risk Manager of the Year Award 2024 by London’s Central Banking publication.
Conclusion
The year 2024–2025 has been a landmark period for recognition and celebration of talent, innovation, and service across the globe. From literature to space exploration, sports to cinema, and environmental conservation to digital governance, these awards reflect the spirit of excellence that continues to drive humanity forward.
Whether it’s Manu Bhaker making history in shooting or Vinod Kumar Shukla being honored with the Jnanpith Award, or Purnima Devi Barman receiving global recognition for wildlife conservation — these moments not only celebrate individual achievements but also serve as inspiration for future generations.
Stay tuned for more updates on the latest awards, recognitions, and inspiring stories shaping our world today!