National Award For Senior Citizens (vayoshreshtha Samman): Iconic Mother
The Vayoshreshtha Samman Iconic Mother Award honors women senior citizens aged 60 and above who, despite great personal hardship, raised their children to become high achievers and instilled strong values and ethics in their family. Presented annually by the President of India on October 1st, the award includes a cash prize of Rs. 2,50,000. Nominations must come through authorized agencies via the National Awards Portal at awards.gov.in — self-nominations are not accepted.
About This Scheme
The Vayoshreshtha Samman Iconic Mother Award honors women senior citizens aged 60 and above who, despite great personal hardship, raised their children to become high achievers and instilled strong values and ethics in their family. Presented annually by the President of India on October 1st, the award includes a cash prize of Rs. 2,50,000. Nominations must come through authorized agencies via the National Awards Portal at awards.gov.in — self-nominations are not accepted.
Full official description
Every year, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India confers the "National Award for Senior Citizens (Vayoshreshtha Samman)" to the eminent and outstanding senior citizens and institutions/organizations involved in rendering distinguished service for the cause of elderly persons, especially indigent senior citizens. The awards are conferred on 1st October every year by the Hon’ble President of India at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The "Iconic Mother Award" is conferred to the women senior citizens who in the face of great odds, brought up their children and supported them in being high achievers in the field of their choice. A total of 11 awards are given along with a Certificate, a Memento and also Cash Award. The Awards are given across 13 categories: 07 categories of Institutional type and 06 categories of individual type.
INSTITUTIONAL CATEGORY
Best Institution for Research in the field of Ageing
Best Institution for providing services to Senior Citizens and Awareness Generation
Best District Panchayat in providing services and facilities to Senior Citizens
Best Urban Local Body in providing services and facilities to Senior Citizens
Best State in implementing the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, and providing services and facilities to Senior
Citizens
Best Private Sector Organisation in promoting the well-being and welfare of Senior Citizens
Best Public Sector Organisation in promoting the well-being and welfare of Senior Citizens
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY
Centenarian
Iconic Mother
Lifetime Achievement
Creative Art
Sports and Adventure (one each for Male and Female)
Courage & Bravery (one each for Male and Female)
Benefits
- Cash award of Rs. 2,50,000
- Citation and Memento
- Award presented by the President or Prime Minister of India at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on October 1st
- Travel and accommodation for the awardee and one companion fully covered by the Central Government
- 15 total awardees selected across all Vayoshreshtha Samman categories each year
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a woman aged 60 years or above
- Must have raised children who achieved remarkable success in society, despite significant personal challenges and odds
- Demonstrated unwavering devotion and inculcation of good values and ethics in children under highly testing circumstances
- Must have fought for the protection, promotion, and empowerment of the girl child
- Contributions must be widely recognized by society
- Must be nominated by an authorized agency — self-nominations not accepted
- Open to all Indian women regardless of religion, race, sex, caste, or creed
How to Apply
Registration
Step 1: The agencies or persons, authorized to nominate and recommend eligible institutions or individuals, should visit the National Awards Portal. On the top right of the homepage, click "Register".
Step 2: You will be directed to the Registration Page. Fill in all the mandatory fields (marked with a Red Asterisk).
Step 3: Check the "Declaration" checkboxes provided at the bottom of the page. Fill in the Captcha Code, and click "Submit".You will receive the Login Credentials on your Registered Mobile Number.
Application
Step 1: Visit the National Awards Portal. On the top right of the homepage, click "Login".
Step 2: Login using credentials. From the list of awards, select "Vayoshreshtha Samman - National Awards for Senior Citizens", then click "Nominate / Apply Now".
Step 3: On the next page, fill in all the mandatory fields in the online application form, and then click "Submit".
Selection of Awardees
- A Screening Committee shall be constituted in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to scrutinize and shortlist the nominations, under Additional Secretary/ Joint Secretary.
- The final Selection of the Awardees shall be made by the Selection Committee chaired by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Calendar of Activities
- Issue of Letter Inviting Nominations by the Ministry: 1st November
- Last Date of Receipt of Nominations: 31st January
- Shortlisting of Nominations by the Screening Committee: 28th February
- Final selection by the Jury: 30th April
- Approval by the Minister: 31st May
- Vetting by IB: 15th August
- Announcement of the Awards: 1st September
- Presentation of the Awards: 1st October
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the objectives of this scheme?
The objective of this scheme is to honour the eminent and outstanding senior citizens and institutions/organizations involved in rendering distinguished service for the cause of elderly persons, especially indigent senior citizens.
When are these awards conferred?
The awards are conferred on 1st October every year.
Who confers these awards?
The awards are conferred by the Hon'ble President of India at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
What is the address of Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi?
The address of Vigyan Bhawan is: Maulana Azad Rd, Rajpath Area, Central Secretariat, New Delhi, Delhi 110011
How many categories are there in this award?
The Awards are given across 13 categories: 07 Institutional Categories and 06 categories of individual type.
What is the maximum amount of the cash award in the institutional category?
The Awardee is given a Cash award of [?] 2,50,000/-.
Will the to-and-from travelling expenses of the awardee be reimbursed?
Yes, the to-and-fro travelling expenses and accommodation for up to one day prior to and after the date of the Samman ceremony (depending upon the actual arrival and departure dates) shall be arranged and the expenditure shall be reimbursed by the Central Government.
Are there any awards for urban local bodies?
Yes, there is an award for the "Best Urban Local Body in providing services and Facilities to Senior Citizens" under the Institutional Category.
While conferring the award, is there any preference/priority given to educational institutions?
The awards are open to all Indian Institutions, Organizations and Individuals without any distinction or discrimination on grounds of religion, race, sex, caste or creed.
Can I nominate myself for this award?
No, Self-nominations for the Awards shall not be considered.
What is the URL of the national awards portal?
National Awards Portal, Ministry of Home Affairs at https://awards.gov.in
Can the application form be filled in malayalam?
The application should be in Hindi or English language only.
Is bio-data a mandatory document for individual categories of the award?
Yes, the Bio-Data is a mandatory document for Individual Categories of the Award.
Where can I find the PDF of the scheme guidelines?
The PDF of the Scheme Guidelines can be found at - https://socialjustice.gov.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Englishfull169.pdf
Who can become a nominee for this award?
The awards are open to all Indian Institutions, Organizations and Individuals.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Photograph
- Bio-Data
- Proof of Age
- Proof of Address
- Proof of Educational Qualification (Passing Certificate, Marksheet)
- Proof of Professional Experience
- Details of work done in the last three years in the field
- Details of Awards and Honours Received