Kabir Puraskar Scheme
₹50,000–2 lakh national award for saving lives in communal violence · 3 grade cash prize
The Kabir Puraskar is a national award announced every year on 2nd October, recognizing Indian civilians who risk their own safety to save the lives or property of people from another community, caste, or ethnic group during communal riots or clashes. Cash awards range from ₹50,000 (Grade III) to ₹2,00,000 (Grade I) depending on the severity of the act, along with a certificate and public gazette notification. Nominations must be submitted by State Governments or Union Territory Administrations — individuals cannot self-nominate.
About This Scheme
The Kabir Puraskar is a national award announced every year on 2nd October, recognizing Indian civilians who risk their own safety to save the lives or property of people from another community, caste, or ethnic group during communal riots or clashes. Cash awards range from ₹50,000 (Grade III) to ₹2,00,000 (Grade I) depending on the severity of the act, along with a certificate and public gazette notification. Nominations must be submitted by State Governments or Union Territory Administrations — individuals cannot self-nominate.
Full official description
The Government of India introduced the “Kabir Puraskar Scheme” in1990 under which a National Award designated as “KABIR PURASKAR” was instituted in three grades, namely, Grade One, Grade Two, and Grade Three carrying a title and cash Award of ₹20,000, ₹10,000 & ₹5,000 respectively for acts performed during communal riots. The Scheme has been amended and the cash amounts of the various grades of the Award and eligibility criteria for the Award have been revised.
Purpose:
This Award is instituted to promote communal, caste, and ethnic harmony by recognizing acts of Physical/moral courage and humanity exhibited by the member(s) of one a community, caste, or ethnic group in saving the lives and properties of the member(s) of another community, caste or ethnic group. Such courage and promptitude in saving the life and property of member(s) of another community, caste, or ethnic group shall also involve a danger to the life/body/property of the rescuer himself or herself and to his or her family member(s). Three sets of criteria have been prescribed to decide the category of Award. It is entirely left to the Screening Committee mentioned in clause 6 to decide upon the category of Award on the merits of each individual act of courage as reported by the State Government or Union Territory Administration.
Timing of Announcement of Award:
The Award shall be announced on 2nd October each year.
Presentation:
The Award may be given by the Central Government and presented to the recipients by the Prime Minister at a function organized for the purpose in New Delhi.
Benefits
- Grade I: ₹2,00,000 cash (for most exceptional acts involving grave danger, or where the rescuer died or was permanently incapacitated)
- Grade II: ₹1,00,000 cash (for conspicuous acts resulting in bodily injury to the rescuer)
- Grade III: ₹50,000 cash (for acts of physical or moral courage and promptitude)
- Certificate with citation awarded alongside the cash prize
- Names of recipients published in the official Government of India gazette
💡 Why Startups Should Care
Not directly applicable to startups, but for civic-tech or community safety founders, understanding how the government incentivizes pro-social risk-taking behavior provides a model for building your own recognition and incentive systems.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be an Indian citizen (any gender, any walk of life)
- The act must involve physical or moral courage in saving lives or property of a person from a different community, caste, or ethnic group during communal riots, caste conflicts, or ethnic clashes
- The rescue must have involved personal risk to the rescuer's life, body, family, or property
- Not eligible: members of the Armed Forces, Police Forces, recognized fire services, or government servants if the act falls within their official duty
- Must not be receiving any other award or citation for the same act
Exclusions
- Not available to persons already receiving another award or citation for the same act
- Not open to Armed Forces personnel, Police, fire services, or government servants whose act falls within their official duty
How to Apply
- Only State Governments or UT Administrations can make recommendations — individuals cannot self-nominate
- The State Government fills the Nomination Form (Annexure-I from mha.gov.in) with supporting details of the act
- Proposals are placed before a Screening Committee (Union Home Secretary, IB Director, Secretary for Social Justice)
- The Committee's recommendations go to the Union Home Minister and Prime Minister for final approval
- Award is announced on 2nd October each year and presented by the Prime Minister
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Kabir Puraskar Scheme”?
The Government of India introduced the "Kabir Puraskar Scheme" under which a National Award designated as "Kabir Puraskar" was instituted in three grades, namely, Grade One, Grade Two, and Grade Three carrying a title and cash Award for acts performed during communal riots.
Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?
Ministry of Home Affairs
When was this scheme launched?
The scheme was launched in the year 1990.
What is the timing of the announcement of the Award?
The award shall be announced on 2nd October each year.
Where will the award be given to the recipients?
The award may be given by the Central Government and presented to the recipients by the Prime Minister at a function organized for the purpose in New Delhi.
Who is eligible to get the award?
All Indian citizens of either sex in all walks of life (other than members of the Armed Forces, Police Forces and members of recognized fire services, Government servants, if the act performed by them falls in the sphere of their duty) shall be eligible for this Award.
What is the amount of cash award which is to be given to the recipients?
The cash award of [?]2,00,000, [?]1,00,000 & [?]50,000 will be given for Grade-I, Grade-II, and Grade-III respectively.
What are the other benefits given to the recipients of the award?
A certificate with a suitable citation shall also be awarded to the recipients.
Is there any bar on a person receiving such an award for a second time?
No, there shall be no bar on a person receiving such Award for a second time on a subsequent occasion.
Who will not be considered for the award?
The members of the Armed Forces, Police Forces and members of recognized fire services, Government servants, if the act performed by them falls in the sphere of their duty will not be considered for the award.
Can an individual directly nominate himself/herself for the award?
No, all recommendations for the Award shall be made through State Governments/UT Administrations.
How many numbers of persons can be nominated for the award from a state/UT?
The State Governments/UT Administrations may recommend the nominations of any number of persons who fulfill the relevant provisions of the Scheme.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Identity proof of the candidate
- Three copies of recent passport-size photographs
- Detailed note on the act of physical/moral courage displayed during communal/caste/ethnic violence
- Details of other work done for communal harmony or national integration (if any)
- Recommendation letter from the State Government or UT Administration
- Any other document as required