Announcement of Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna) & Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the years 2024 and 2025 and Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the years 2024 and 2025

**Executive Summary** The Sangeet Natak Akademi has announced the recipients of the Akademi Fellowship, Akademi Awards, and Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the years 2024 and 2025. A total of 221 artists across various performing arts disciplines were selected during the General Council meeting held from March 22–26, 2026. These prestigious honours, which include monetary prizes and ceremonial citations, will be conferred at upcoming special ceremonies by the President of India and the Chairman of the Akademi. **Key Points / Main Content** **Selection of Fellows and Awardees** * **Akademi Fellows (Akademi Ratna):** Seven eminent personalities were elected; this honour is restricted to only 40 individuals at any given time. * **Akademi Puraskar:** 108 artists were selected for the 2024 and 2025 awards for their sustained individual work and contribution to the performing arts. * **Yuva Puraskar:** 106 young artists were selected for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the years 2024 and 2025. **Scope and Representation** * **Diverse Fields:** Selected artists represent disciplines including Music, Dance, Theatre, Traditional/Folk/Tribal arts, Puppetry, and Scholarship. * **Geographic Reach:** The awardees represent the nation as a whole, hailing from various States and Union Territories. **Award Benefits and Purse Money** * **Fellowship:** Carries a purse money of Rs. 3,00,000. * **Akademi Award:** Includes a purse money of Rs. 1,00,000, a Tamrapatra, and an Angavastram. * **Yuva Puraskar:** Includes a prize money of Rs. 25,000, a Tamrapatra, and an Angavastram. **Conferment Details** * **Presidential Investiture:** The Hon’ble President of India will confer the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards in a special ceremony. * **Akademi Ceremony:** The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar will be conferred by the Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi at a separate special event. **Impact Analysis** **Selected Artists and Fellows** **Impact** Recipients receive national recognition for excellence and sustained contributions to the performing arts, alongside financial rewards and ceremonial honours (Tamrapatra and Angavastram). **Action Required** Selected individuals must attend the scheduled investiture ceremonies to receive their awards. **Sangeet Natak Akademi / Ministry of Culture** **Impact** The organization fulfills its mandate, held since 1952, to recognize and maintain high standards of achievement in Indian music, dance, and drama. **Action Required** The Akademi and Ministry must organize and execute the special investiture ceremonies for the conferment of awards by the President and the Chairman. **Young Artists (Yuva Puraskar Recipients)** **Impact** Young practitioners in the performing arts receive institutional encouragement and a platform to showcase their talent at a national level. **Action Required** Recipients must participate in the special ceremony hosted by the Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Key Entities Referenced