Grandmasters Divya Deshmukh and Vidit Gujrathi were conferred the prestigious Arjuna Award at the National Sports Awards 2025, announced by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on Tuesday, 18 August 2025, in New Delhi. The recognition, one of India's highest sporting honours, celebrates outstanding performance over the previous four years alongside qualities of leadership, discipline, and sportsmanship.

AICF Chief's Congratulations

Nitin Narang, president of the All India Chess Federation (AICF), extended his warmest congratulations to both awardees. “The Arjuna Award is a proud recognition of Divya and Vidit’s exceptional performances, dedication, and contribution to Indian chess. Their achievements on the global stage have brought immense pride to the nation and further strengthened India’s position as a global force in chess,” Narang said.

He added that the achievement “stands as a true inspiration to a new generation of players to pursue excellence and carry India’s growing legacy on the global chess stage.”

What the Arjuna Award Recognises

The Arjuna Award is conferred annually by the Indian government to athletes who have demonstrated outstanding sporting achievement, leadership, and sportsmanship over a sustained period. For chess, the honour reinforces the discipline’s growing stature in India’s competitive sports ecosystem, particularly after a decade of accelerating international results.

Both Deshmukh and Gujrathi have been prominent figures in Indian chess’s global rise. GM Vidit Gujrathi has been a consistent performer at the top of international open and classical chess circuits, while GM Divya Deshmukh has emerged as one of the most formidable young women players in the world, with strong showings at multiple elite tournaments.

Broader Acknowledgements

Narang also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “unwavering support, encouragement and leadership,” crediting the Prime Minister’s vision with strengthening India’s sports ecosystem. He further acknowledged Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya for his “continued encouragement and valuable contribution towards advancing Indian sport.”

A special mention was extended to the “parents, coaches and support staff, whose unwavering belief and support have been integral to Divya and Vidit’s journeys,” Narang said.

India’s Chess Ascent in Context

The dual recognition comes at a moment of heightened global visibility for Indian chess. Notably, India has been producing Grandmasters at an accelerating pace, and the country’s players have increasingly challenged established European and American dominance at the highest levels of the game. This is the latest in a series of national sporting honours that have gone to chess players in recent years, reflecting the government’s growing acknowledgement of the sport’s competitive depth. All eyes will now be on how both Grandmasters build on this recognition heading into the next international chess calendar.