New Delhi: The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) officially launched the web portal for the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2026 on November 13, 2026, initiating the registration process for the awards.
The portal, https://pmawards.gov.in/, was launched through a video-conferencing session attended by officials from various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India, Principal Secretaries in charge of Administrative Reforms from States and Union Territories, and District Collectors and District Magistrates (DCs/DMs).
More than 2,000 officers from 750 locations across the country participated in the launch session.
The Prime Minister’s Awards recognise excellence in public administration and encourage effective governance and the implementation of public welfare programmes. A total of 16 awards will be presented under the 2026 edition.
PM Awards 2026: Period of Consideration and Award Details
The period of consideration for the Prime Minister’s Awards 2026 will be from April 1, 2024, to November 30, 2026.
Each award will comprise three components:
- Trophy
- Scroll
- Financial incentive of Rs. 20 lakh
The Rs. 20 lakh incentive will be provided to the awarded district or organisation. The amount can be used to implement a project or programme or to bridge resource gaps in any area of public welfare.
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Holistic Development of Districts Category Revamped
The Holistic Development of Districts category has been comprehensively revamped for the 2026 awards. Nine new schemes and initiatives have been added to the category to broaden its coverage and strengthen the focus on district-level development.
The nine newly included schemes are:
- Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) and AMRUT
- Gyan Bharatam
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
- TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
- Crop Diversification under three components
- PM SHRI
- Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen)
- National Mission on Natural Farming
- Capacity Building under iGOT
These additions are intended to recognise district-level progress across areas such as urban and rural development, education, public health, agriculture, sanitation and administrative capacity building.
Three Schemes from PM Awards 2025 Retained
Apart from the nine newly added schemes, three schemes covered under the Prime Minister’s Awards 2025 will continue in the 2026 edition.
These are:
- Har Ghar Jal Yojana
- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
- Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0
The schemes approved under the Prime Minister’s Awards 2026 will also continue to be considered for the Prime Minister’s Awards 2027.
Aspirational Blocks Programme to Cover 513 Blocks Across 331 Districts
Districts containing Aspirational Blocks will participate in the Aspirational Blocks Programme category.
The category will cover 513 Aspirational Blocks across 331 districts in India. This will provide an opportunity to recognise development efforts and improvements in governance and public service delivery at the block level.
Ministries Asked to Submit Parameters by November 17
During the launch session, Ministries were requested to submit their quantitative, qualitative and governance parameters to DARPG by November 17, 2026.
These inputs will facilitate the formulation and uploading of the application form on the PM Awards portal. Districts will subsequently use the portal to submit their applications.
The submission of these parameters is an important step in finalising the evaluation framework for the 2026 awards.
PM Awards 2026 to Recognise Excellence in Public Administration
The Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration aim to recognise outstanding work by districts and organisations in implementing government programmes and improving public service delivery.
With 16 awards planned, an expanded set of schemes under the Holistic Development of Districts category and the inclusion of Aspirational Blocks, the 2026 edition seeks to encourage effective governance and improved outcomes in public welfare initiatives across the country.
