Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

• 25 Jan 2021

Why in News

Recently, 32 children have been awarded the ‘Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar’ for their exceptional abilities and outstanding accomplishments.

• The Awards are given by the President of India in the week preceding Republic Day (26^th January) every year.

Key Points

• Two Categories: The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is given under two categories:
  
  • Bal Shakti Puraskar, and
  • Bal Kalyan Puraskar.
• Bal Shakti Puraskar:
  
  • Recognition:
    
    • It is given by the Government of India every year to recognize exceptional achievements of children in various fields i.e., innovation, scholastic achievements, social service, arts & culture, sports and bravery.
  • Eligibility:
    
    • A child who is an Indian Citizen and residing in India and is between 5-18 years of age.
  • Award:
    
    • A medal, a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000, book vouchers worth Rs.10,000, a certificate and citation.
  • Background:
    
    • It was instituted in 1996 as the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement, renamed from 2018 as Bal Shakti Puraskar.
• Bal Kalyan Puraskar:
  
  • Recognition:
    
    • It is given as recognition to Individuals and Institutions, who have made an outstanding contribution towards service for children in the field of child development, child protection and child welfare.
  • Eligibility:
    
    • An individual who is an Indian Citizen and residing in India and should have attained the age of 18 years or above (as on 31^st August of respective year). S/he should have worked for the cause of children for not less than 7 years.
    • The institution should not be entirely funded by the government and should have been in the field of child welfare for 10 years and performing consistently in the field.
  • Award:
    
    • Three awards are given in each of the two categories - Individual and Institution - along with cash prizes (Rs. 1,00, 000 and Rs. 5,00, 000 respectively).
  • Background:
    
    • It was instituted in 1979 as the National Child Welfare Awards, renamed from 2018 as Bal Kalyan Puraskar.

Source:TH