Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award is India’s highest sporting award. Manu Bhaker became independent India’s first athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the 2024 Olympics.

There was a fair indication as to which way the wind would blow when Manu said on social media in late December that there could have been a ‘lapse’ on her part while applying online for the award. ‘’With regards to ongoing issue of my nomination for the most prestigious Khel Ratna award — I would like to state that as an athlete my role is to play and perform for my country.

Amidst the growing Khel Ratna controversy, Manu Bhaker acknowledged the potential oversight on her part in the nomination process.

Beside Bhaker and Gukesh, Indian men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar are also nominated for the Khel Ratna Award.

Four remarkable athletes, including Manu Bhaker and D Gukesh, are set to receive India’s highest sporting honour on January 17, 2025.

List of shooters who got Khel Ratna award. Paris Olympics double medallist Manu Bhaker latest addtition to the list.

Hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, Paris Paralympics gold medallist Praveen Kumar also named for the award; 32 sportspersons to get Arjuna Award

D Gukesh's inclusion in the 2024 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardees was a surprise, as his historic World Chess Championship win in December 2024 occurred outside the award's four-year cycle. Critics argue the government should have waited until next year,