Sportspersons who have been penalized or against whom enquiry is pending/ongoing for use of drugs/substances banned by the Word Anti Doping Agency (WADA) based on a sample collected by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) or any other agency authorized by WADA and tested by National Dope Testing Laboratory or any other WADA accredited laboratory, will not be eligible for the Award.

The Government will only consider conferring Arjuna Award in the disciplines falling under the following categories:-

1. Olympic Games/Asian Games/Commonwealth Games/World Cup/World Championship disciplines and cricket or any equivalent recognized international Tournament.
2. Indigenous Games.
3. Sports for physically challenged.

1. Ordinarily, not more than one award will be given in each discipline in a particular year subject to deserving sportspersons being available. However, at least one award is to be given exclusively for sports for the physically challenged. Further, the principle of one award per discipline may be relaxed in the case of team sports and across gender. That is to say that, the Selection Committee may recommend, in deserving cases with proper justification, more than one sportsperson in respect of team sports and sportspersons of both genders.

2. Normally not more than 15 awards could be given in any calendar year. However, keeping in view the performance of Indian sportspersons in the Commonwealth, Asian Games, and Olympic Games during a particular year and for the reasons given in para above, Arjuna Awards exceeding 15 in number may be allowed with proper justification and approval of the Minister-in-charge for Youth Affairs & Sports.

The nominations for the Awards will be invited by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports from all National Sports Federations (NSFs) recognized by the Government of India, Indian Olympic Association and State/UT Governments in the month of January/February each year. In case of cricket, for which no National Sports Federation has been recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, nominations from Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) will be invited. These agencies will be allowed to make nominations upto a maximum of three eligible sportspersons. For the NSFs de-recognized or under suspension, Sports Authority of India (SAI) will exercise the quota of nominations and make nominations upto a maximum of three eligible sportspersons for each sports discipline with the approval of Director General. SAI. Nominations beyond maximum three will not be considered. Only the first three nominations sent by NSFs will be considered. Last date for the receipt of nominations will be 30^th April or last working day of April of the same year. During the years when Olympic Games, Commonwealth and Asian Games are held, Inst date will be 10 days after conclusion of these Games.

In addition nominations will also be invited from Sports Control/Promotion Boards of various Government Organizations such as the All India Police Sports Control Board, Army Sports Control Board, Railway Sports Promotion Board, Services Sports Control Board, Indian Navy Sports Control Board and Air Force Sports Control Board, Petroleum Sports Promotion Board, Air India Sports Promotion Board, SAIL Sports Promotion Board etc. These agencies will be allowed to nuke nominations upto a maximum of five sportspersons. Nominations beyond five will not be considered. Only the first five nominations sent by them will be considered.

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees of the previous years can also nominate one eligible sportsperson each for Arjuna Award for the sports discipline for which they themselves were awarded Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. Arjuna, Dhyan Chand and Dronacharya awardees of previous years can also nominate one eligible sportsperson each for Arjuna Award in their respective disciplines Further, Director General, Sports Authority of India can also nominate upto three eligible sportspersons for this  award, in addition to the quota to be exercised  by it in respect of de-recognized/suspended NSFs.

1. The Award will be decided by a Selection Committee constituted by the Government of India as under:-

2. There should be minimum two years of gap before a member other than ex-officio is re- nominated as chairperson or member in the Selection Committee.

3. Not more than one sportsperson of eminence from a particular sports discipline shall be a member of the Selection Committee to avoid any bias in favor of a particular discipline.

4. A statement of achievements of all those sportspersons, who fulfill  eligibility criteria and whose nominations have been received before last date, will be sent to the members of the Selection Committee at least a week in advance before the meeting of the Selection Committee.

5. The Chairperson, in consultation with the Member Secretary, may constitute panels from against the members of the Committee to assist the Committee.

6. The Chairperson may seek the advice of experts in specific sports disciplines, wherever necessary.

7. Shortlisted nominations from team games may be sent to experts at least a week in advance for their views. The experts may also be asked to attend Selection Committee meetings to clarify the doubts of members. The evaluation criteria may include international recognition, goals scored, player of the match/player of the tournament award, etc.

8. Any person directly or indirectly related to a sportsperson nominated for the Awards shall not be eligible to participate in deliberations of the Selection Committee, concerning the sportsperson.

9. The Committee will determine its own work procedure and will keep in view the guidelines/criteria, if my, framed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Members of the Selection Committee will give their recommendations as per the provisions of the scheme and the marks criteria of the scheme.

10. The quorum for the meeting of the Committee shall be 75% of the members of the Committee and the Chairperson.

11. The Committee shall select the Award winners by consensus failing which by a majority decision and give its report to the Government of India within 15 days of reference.

12. The Executive Director (TEAMS)/Director (TEAMS), Sports Authority of India will be present at the time of deliberations of the Committee in order to provide information/clarifications, if any, required by the Committee.

13. All the selection proceedings will be treated as "Confidential". The Chairperson may take necessary steps in consultation with the Member Secretary to maintain strict confidentiality of the deliberations and selection made by the Committee.