Priyank Pathak Scholarship for B.Sc. Agriculture (4th Year) Students 2026

This award celebrates and recognizes women who have made remarkable contributions to empowering society, especially vulnerable groups. Read More... It aims to inspire many by highlighting their exemplary service. Read less

Details

The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, presents the Nari Shakti Puraskar to honor women who have made significant contributions towards empowering society, particularly focusing on vulnerable and marginalized communities. Announced by February 20th each year, these awards are presented on International Women's Day, March 8th, in New Delhi. The initiative aims to boost women's involvement in all areas and showcase their vital role in nation-building, inspiring citizens and youth alike.

What is the Nari Shakti Puraskar?

The Nari Shakti Puraskar is a national award designed to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional achievements of women. It recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding commitment to women's empowerment, especially for those facing challenges and from disadvantaged backgrounds. The award highlights their efforts in various fields that contribute to the progress of women and the nation.

Who is the Nari Shakti Puraskar for?

This award is for courageous and dedicated individuals, both men and women, who have actively worked to uplift women. It specifically seeks to recognize those who have made a tangible difference in areas like economic development, social justice, leadership, education, health, and overall well-being of women, especially those who are often overlooked.

Why is this Award Important?

The Nari Shakti Puraskar plays a crucial role in bringing to light the inspiring stories of women who are driving change. By recognizing their efforts, the award encourages greater participation of women in public life, promotes gender equality, and serves as a powerful motivator for others to contribute to women's empowerment and national development.

Objective

This award celebrates and recognizes women who have made remarkable contributions to empowering society, especially vulnerable groups. It aims to inspire many by highlighting their exemplary service.

Benefits

Rate of Scholarship:₹800/- per month.

Sources and references

Guidelines (Page No. 185)

Who Can Be Nominated for the Nari Shakti Puraskar?

The awards are open only to individuals.
Nominees must be at least 25 years old as of July 1st of the award year.
Individuals who have previously received the Nari Shakti Puraskar or the older Stree Shakti Puraskars are not eligible.
The Nari Shakti Puraskar is awarded for outstanding work, particularly in challenging circumstances, contributing to the economic and social empowerment of women.
This includes efforts in encouraging women's participation in decision-making, promoting skill development (both traditional and non-traditional), facilitating basic amenities for rural women, and advancing women in fields like science, technology, sports, art, and culture. It also covers contributions to women's safety, health, education, and dignity.
In addition, an award may be presented to a State or Union Territory that has shown significant improvement in its Child Sex Ratio (CSR).
Generally, awards are not given posthumously, unless the nominee passed away after their nomination was submitted according to the guidelines.

Nominations for the Award

Nominations can be submitted by:

State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.
Concerned Central Ministries and Departments.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
Universities and Educational Institutions.
Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and Private Companies.

The Selection Committee can also recommend individuals for the award directly with proper justification. Both self-nominations and nominations received from others are considered.

All nominations must be submitted online through the official portal, along with necessary supporting documents. The nominating entities must clearly certify the work done by the nominees for which the award is being recommended.

How to Apply for the Nari Shakti Puraskar

Nominations for the Nari Shakti Puraskar are invited annually. The process is entirely online. Here's how it generally works:

Interested individuals or organizations can submit nominations through the official awards portal of the Government of India. The relevant website is https://www.awards.gov.in.
Fill out the online application form completely, providing all required details about the nominee and their work.
Upload all necessary supporting documents as specified in the application form. This includes evidence of the work carried out by the nominee for which the award is being recommended.
Self-nominations are also accepted through the same online portal.
Ensure all details are accurate and that the nominating entity (if not a self-nomination) clearly certifies the nominee's contributions.

Important Note: Applications sent through any offline means, including post or email, will not be considered.

Documents Required for Nomination

When submitting a nomination for the Nari Shakti Puraskar, you will typically need to provide the following documents:

Proof of Identity for the nominee.
Proof of Age for the nominee.
Detailed information and evidence of the work carried out by the nominee, for which the award is being recommended. This should clearly highlight their contribution to women's empowerment.
Any other supporting documents that might be required, as specified in the application form or guidelines. This could include testimonials, media coverage, reports, or certificates related to the nominee's achievements.

Official Sources

For the most up-to-date and detailed list of required documents and submission procedures, please refer to the official Nari Shakti Puraskar guidelines and the https://www.awards.gov.in portal.

FAQ’s

Who is eligible to receive the Nari Shakti Puraskar?

The award is for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to women's empowerment. They must be at least 25 years old as of July 1st of the award year. Individuals who have already received this award or the older Stree Shakti Puraskar are not eligible. Even men can be nominated for their outstanding work towards women's empowerment.

How are the Nari Shakti Puraskar recipients selected?

Nominations are first screened by a committee. Following this, a Selection Committee, appointed by the Ministry, makes the final selection of the awardees based on the recommendations from the screening committee.

What are the monetary benefits for a Nari Shakti Puraskar winner?

Each recipient of the Nari Shakti Puraskar is awarded a cash prize of ₹2,00,000/- along with a certificate.

Can a person who has passed away be honored with the Nari Shakti Puraskar?

Generally, awards are not given posthumously. However, there's an exception if the nominee passed away after their nomination was officially submitted following the established guidelines.

What kind of work is recognized by the Nari Shakti Puraskar?

The award recognizes outstanding work in fields like economic and social empowerment of women, leadership, education, health, safety, skill development, science and technology, sports, art, and culture, all aimed at enhancing the dignity and well-being of women.

Is it possible for a State or Union Territory to receive this award?

Yes, an award can be given to a State or Union Territory if it has demonstrated significant improvements in its Child Sex Ratio (CSR).

Can I nominate myself for the Nari Shakti Puraskar?

Yes, self-nominations are accepted. You can submit your nomination directly through the online portal.

What is the deadline for submitting nominations?

The Ministry invites nominations annually. Specific deadlines are announced with the invitation for nominations. It's best to check the official https://www.awards.gov.in portal for the current year's timeline.

Does the award cover travel for a companion?

Yes, travel expenses for one companion can be covered if the awardee is over 70, is a person with disability needing assistance, belongs to a BPL category, or faces a language barrier without a companion.

How many Nari Shakti Puraskar awards are given annually?

Up to 15 Nari Shakti Puraskars are awarded each year. However, the Selection Committee has the discretion to relax this number if the circumstances warrant.

When are the awardees of the Nari Shakti Puraskar announced?

The names of the award recipients are announced every year by February 20th.