India's National Sports Awards include honours for athletes, coaches and broader sports contributions. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports publishes the award names and awardees. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna recognises outstanding sporting performance; Arjuna Awards recognise eligible sportspersons; Dronacharya Awards recognise coaches. The Dhyan Chand Award has historically recognised lifetime achievement. Similar-sounding names do not make Khel Ratna and the lifetime award one award.
An award belongs to an official award year. A public ceremony may be held later, and the award criteria can change through government notifications. Memorise the role first: athlete performance, athlete achievement, coaching or lifetime contribution. Then attach a documented recipient. Do not use an old cash prize or selection threshold as a permanent fact. The Ministry's current rules and awardee list control such questions, not a poster circulating after an event.
Worked example: National Sports Awards include different categories for athletes, coaches and lifetime contribution. If a question names a coach and offers only athlete awards, check the Dronacharya option. A list from the ministry can prove a recipient and year; an athlete's tournament page cannot. Read the award's official current name because some awards have been renamed.
Active recall: Match Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand lifetime recognition to their broad purpose.