Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship For Academic Excellence 2026

The Rakshak Puraskars Award recognises individuals in Goa for their exceptional courage and actions in protecting women Read More... and girls from violence, attack, or harassment. Read less

Details

The Directorate of Women and Child Development in Goa has established the prestigious 'Rakshak Puraskars' Award. This award has been presented annually on Independence Day, August 15th, since 2015. It aims to honour two individuals each year who demonstrate extraordinary bravery, especially in tough situations. These individuals go above and beyond their duty to help, protect, or assist victims of any form of violence, attack, or harassment against women and girls. This applies to incidents occurring at home, in the workplace, or in public spaces. The award also celebrates those who uphold the respect and dignity of women in Goan society. The core idea is to inspire everyone to show respect and ensure the dignity of women across Goa.

What is the Rakshak Puraskars Award?

The Rakshak Puraskars Award is a special recognition from the Goa government for people who have shown outstanding courage and commitment to protecting women and girls. It’s given to those who step in during difficult times to help victims of violence or harassment.

Who is this award for?

This award is for any individual who has demonstrated exceptional bravery in assisting, protecting, or aiding victims of violence, attack, or harassment against women and girls. This includes acts of courage in challenging circumstances, whether at home, work, or in public. The key is that the person has shown respect and dignity to women in Goa.

Why is this award important?

This award plays a vital role in acknowledging and celebrating individuals who are dedicated to ensuring the safety and dignity of women in Goa. By highlighting their heroic deeds, the award aims to promote a culture of respect and encourage more people to stand up for women's rights and safety.

Objective

The Rakshak Puraskars Award recognises individuals in Goa for their exceptional courage and actions in protecting women and girls from violence, attack, or harassment.

Benefits

E1: Family gross annual income less than 8 Lakh

(i). Tuition Fees and Bench fee: Max 50 lakh

(ii). Living Expenses: 12 Lakh Rupees.

(iii). One-time advance of Rs 3 Lakh to candidates who will start their course after application on the portal (adjusted against living expenses).

E2: Family gross annual income 8 – 25 Lakh

(i). Tuition Fees and Bench fee: Max 50 lakh

(ii). Living Expenses: 6 Lakh Rupees

E3: Family gross annual income above 25 Lakh

(i). Tuition Fees and Bench fee: Max 50 lakh

(ii). No Living Expenses

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

You must have displayed exceptional courage, especially in adverse situations, to help, protect, or aid victims of any form of violence, attack, or harassment against women and girls. This includes showing respect and dignity to women in Goan society.
Anyone can apply, regardless of their profession. This includes Police Officers, Doctors, Lawyers, Public Prosecutors, Social Workers, Teachers, Tourist Guides, Lifeguards, Bus, Taxi, or Auto Drivers, and many others.
You should have been a resident of Goa for at least 5 years as of January 1st of the award year, OR you must have worked in Goa for at least two years.
You should not have received any other award in the same category during the same year.
You must be above 25 years of age as of January 1st of the award year.

How To Apply

To apply for the Rakshak Puraskars Award, you need to follow these steps:

Fill out the application form in the prescribed format (available as Annexure-A).
Paste a passport-sized photograph on the form and get it attested by a Gazetted Officer.
Attach self-attested copies of all required documents.
Submit the completed application form along with all supporting documents to the Office of the Directorate of Women & Child Development, Panaji, Goa.
A soft copy of your application should also be submitted on a CD in Word (.doc/.docx) format.

You can find the application form and more details at: Official Application Link

Documents Required

Passport Size Photograph (duly attested by a Gazetted Officer).
Proof of Identity.
A soft copy of the Application on a CD in Word (.doc/.docx) format.
A brief life sketch of the individual (including age, qualification, etc.) as per the prescribed format (Annexure-A). You can download this from the official link.
Any press clippings, certificates, appreciation letters received, or photographs related to your courageous act, if available.
Residential Certificate proving your residency in Goa.
Bank Details: Your Bank Account Number, Name of the Bank, Bank Branch, and IFSC Code.

FAQ’s

Who is eligible to get the Rakshak Puraskars Award?

Individuals from any walk of life, like police officers, doctors, lawyers, social workers, teachers, tourist guides, lifeguards, drivers, etc., are eligible. They must have shown exceptional courage in helping victims of violence or harassment against women and girls in Goa. Applicants need to be residents of Goa for at least 5 years or have worked in Goa for 2 years. They must also be over 25 years old and not have received a similar award in the same year.

What is the main goal of the Rakshak Puraskars Award?

The main goal is to recognize and honour people who have shown outstanding bravery and helped victims of violence, attack, or harassment against women and girls. It also aims to promote respect and dignity for women in Goan society.

Can organizations or groups apply for this award?

No, the Rakshak Puraskars Award is specifically for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional courage. Organizations or groups are not eligible to apply.

What documents do I need to submit with my application?

You'll need a passport-sized photo (attested by a Gazetted Officer), proof of identity, a soft copy of your application on a CD, a brief life sketch in the prescribed format, any supporting press clippings or photos, a residential certificate, and your bank details.

What do recipients of the Rakshak Puraskars Award receive?

Awardees are honored with a scroll or citation and a cash prize of ₹20,000 each.

Is there an age limit for applying?

Yes, you must be over 25 years of age as of January 1st of the year you are applying.

Can I apply if I've received another award in the same field before?

No, you are not eligible if you have received any other award in the same field during the same year.

How many Rakshak Puraskars awards are given each year?

Two deserving individuals are honoured with the Rakshak Puraskars Award every year.

How do I submit my application for the award?

You need to fill out the application form, attach the required documents, and submit it to the Office of the Directorate of Women & Child Development in Panaji, Goa. Make sure to also submit a soft copy on a CD.

Can I nominate myself for the award?

Yes, individuals can either nominate themselves or be nominated by others, as long as they meet all the eligibility criteria.

Do I need to be a permanent resident of Goa to apply?

You need to have been a resident of Goa for at least 5 years as of January 1st of the award year, or you must have worked in the State for at least two years.

What is the purpose of recognizing acts of courage for women's safety?

The award aims to acknowledge and celebrate individuals who go the extra mile to protect women and girls from harm. This recognition encourages others to step forward and promotes a safer environment for women in society.

Can both men and women apply for this award?

Yes, the Rakshak Puraskars Award is open to both men and women who meet the eligibility criteria and have demonstrated exceptional courage in protecting women and girls.

Is there a specific deadline for applications?

The official guidelines do not specify a general deadline. Applicants should check with the Directorate of Women & Child Development or the official website for the current year's submission deadline.

What is the process for selecting the awardees?

Applications are evaluated based on the individual's demonstrated courage and assistance provided to victims of violence or harassment against women and girls. A committee likely reviews the submissions to select the final recipients.

Does the award money have to be used for a specific purpose?

The cash prize of ₹20,000 is given to acknowledge the recipient's exceptional efforts. While there are no strict rules on usage, it is generally understood to be a recognition of their service.

Is there any application fee for the Rakshak Puraskars Award?

The available information does not mention any application fee for applying for the Rakshak Puraskars Award.

Where can I find the application form and related details?

You can find the application form and press note at the following official link: Official Application Link