Introduction
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is awarded for the exceptional performance by a Sportsperson in a year based on the suggestions provided by Award Selection Committee. The Valid Nominations are placed before the Selection Committee Constituted by the Government. The Recommendations of the Selection Committee are Submitted to the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for further Approval.
History
The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, is the Highest sporting honor of the Republic of India. The award is named after Rajiv Gandhi, Former Prime Minister of India who served the office from 1984 to 1989 . The first Recipient of the Award was Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand who was honored for the performance in Chess in the year 1991–92.
List
| S.No | Year | Person Name | Sports and Games Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1992 | Vishwanathan Anand | Chess |
| 2. | 1993 | Geet Sethi | Billards |
| 3. | 1995 | Homi Motivala | Yachiting |
| 4. | 1995 | Garg Pushpendra Kumar | Yachiting |
| 5. | 1996 | Karnam Malleswari | Weightlifiting |
| 6. | 1997 | Nameirakpam Kunjarani | Weightlifting |
| 7. | 1997 | Leander Paes | Tennis |
| 8. | 1998 | Sachin Tendulkar | Cricket |
| 9. | 1999 | Jyotirmoyee Sikdar | Athletics |
| 10. | 2000 | Dhanraj pillay | Hockey(Men) |
| 11. | 2001 | Pullela Gopichand | Badminton |
| 12. | 2002 | Abhinav Bindra | Shooting |
| 13. | 2003 | K.M Beenamol | Athletics |
| 14. | 2003 | Anjali Bhagawath | Shooting |
| 15. | 2004 | Anju Bobby George | Athletics |
| 16. | 2004 | Rajyavardhan singh-Rathode | Shooting |
| 17. | 2006 | Pankaj Advani | Billiards and Snookar |
| 18. | 2007 | Manavjit Singh-Rathode Sandhu | Shooting |
| 19. | 2008 | Mahedra singh Dhoni | Cricket |
| 20. | 2009 | M.C. Marikom | Boxing |
| 21. | 2009 | Vijender Singh | Boxing |
| 22. | 2009 | Sushil Kumar | Wrestling |
| 23. | 2010 | Saina Nehwal | Badminton |
| 24. | 2011 | Gagan Narang | Shooting |
| 25. | 2012 | Vijay Kumar | Shooting |
| 26. | 2012 | Yogeshwar Dutt | Wrestling |
| 27. | 2013 | Ranjan Sodhi | Shooting |
| 28. | 2015 | Sania Mirza | Lawn Tennis |
| 29. | 2016 | P. V. Sindhu | Badminton |
| 30. | 2016 | Deepa Kamikar | Gymnastics |
| 31. | 2016 | Sakshi Bhai | Wrestling |
| 32. | 2016 | Jitu Rai | Shooting |
| 33. | 2017 | Devendra Jhajaria | Javelin throw |
| 34. | 2017 | Sardar Singh | Hockey |
| 35. | 2018 | Saikhom Mirabai Chanu | Weightlifting |
| 36. | 2018 | Virat Kohli | Cricket |