Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2026 — Winner, Ceremony Date & Complete Winners List | SSC & UPSC Current Affairs
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2026 is India's highest honour in cinema, awarded at the National Film Awards ceremony. Know the winner, significance, selection committee, and all previous winners — key fact for SSC CGL, UPSC, and state exam GK sections.
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest honour in cinema, instituted in 1969.
- It is named after Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, the 'Father of Indian Cinema', who directed 'Raja Harishchandra' in 1913.
- The first recipient of the award was Devika Rani in 1969.
- The award is presented by the President of India at the National Film Awards ceremony.
- The prize includes a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and ₹10 lakh cash.
- The award recognizes lifetime achievement and significant contributions to Indian cinema.
- It is administered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
- The award ceremony is a key event for celebrating cinematic excellence in India.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 3–5 | Padma awards, Bharat Ratna, national film awards, and literary prizes appear in every SSC paper. |
| UPSC / State PCS | Medium | 3–6 | Nobel Prize, Booker Prize, and Bharat Ratna with context of awardee's contribution are tested. |
| State PCS / PSC | High | 4–7 | State governments award their own prizes; state exam papers test both central and state awards. |
| Banking (IBPS / SBI) | Medium | 2–3 | Banking and economy related awards (RBI awards, economic figures) occasionally appear. |
Key Facts to Remember: Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2026 — Winner, Ceremony Date & Complete Winners List | SSC & UPSC Current Affairs
- The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest honour in cinema, instituted in 1969.
- It is named after Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, the 'Father of Indian Cinema', who directed 'Raja Harishchandra' in 1913.
- The first recipient of the award was Devika Rani in 1969.
- The award is presented by the President of India at the National Film Awards ceremony.
- The prize includes a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and ₹10 lakh cash.
- The award recognizes lifetime achievement and significant contributions to Indian cinema.
- It is administered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
- The award ceremony is a key event for celebrating cinematic excellence in India.
Practice Questions
Q1. Who is widely regarded as the 'Father of Indian Cinema' and after whom the Dadasaheb Phalke Award is named?
- Satyajit Ray
- Dhundiraj Govind Phalke
- Devika Rani
- Lata Mangeshkar
Explanation: Dhundiraj Govind Phalke (1870–1944) is revered as the 'Father of Indian Cinema' for his pioneering work, including directing India's first full-length feature film. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is named in his honour.
Q2. In which year was the Dadasaheb Phalke Award instituted?
- 1913
- 1947
- 1969
- 1985
Explanation: The Dadasaheb Phalke Award was instituted in 1969 to commemorate the birth centenary of Dhundiraj Govind Phalke. It was first presented at the 17th National Film Awards ceremony.
Q3. Who was the first recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
- Dilip Kumar
- Amitabh Bachchan
- Satyajit Ray
- Devika Rani
Explanation: Devika Rani, often called the 'First Lady of Indian Cinema', was the inaugural recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1969, recognizing her immense contribution to the nascent Indian film industry.
Q4. What are the components of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award prize?
- A Golden Peacock, a medal, and ₹5 lakh
- A Swarna Kamal, a shawl, and ₹10 lakh
- A Silver Lotus, a trophy, and ₹20 lakh
- A Presidential medal, a citation, and ₹15 lakh
Explanation: The Dadasaheb Phalke Award prize consists of a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a traditional shawl, and a cash component of ₹10 lakh, symbolizing the highest honour in Indian cinema.
Q5. Which constitutional office is responsible for presenting the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
- The Prime Minister of India
- The Chief Justice of India
- The President of India
- The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Explanation: The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, being the highest cinematic honour in India, is presented by the President of India during the prestigious National Film Awards ceremony, underscoring its national significance.
How to Prepare Awards & Honours for Government Exams — Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2026 — Winner, Ceremony Da…
Build a table: Award | Winner | Category | Year. Revise this table weekly. Questions are purely factual for this category.
Padma Awards are announced in January every year. Study the list immediately — they appear in 2–3 exam sessions after announcement.
For Nobel Prize, focus not just on who won, but briefly why — UPSC and state PCS may ask the reason or the work recognized.
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