The National Sports Awards in India have been postponed as the Sports Ministry conducts a thorough review of the Arjuna Award selection process. This decision follows concerns about the increasing number of legal disputes arising from selection decisions and the potential dilution of the awards' prestige. The ministry is scrutinizing the nominations submitted in December, with a focus on ensuring that only truly deserving athletes are recognized. Notably, 24 athletes were recommended for the Arjuna Award this year, marking a significant increase from previous years. The ministry is exploring a shift towards a more transparent, criteria-based selection system, potentially using a points mechanism to determine eligibility. This automated approach aims to minimize subjective evaluations and ensure that athletes meeting defined performance benchmarks are recognized without additional scrutiny. Traditionally, the awards are presented on August 29 to honor the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, but recent years have seen disruptions due to scheduling conflicts.