IndiaPosted at: Sep 20 2026 7:10PM


From Shyamchi Aai to the 72nd edition, National Film Awards mark 7 decades of cinematic recognition

Parwinder Sandhu
New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) What began in 1954 with just seven honours for films made the previous year has grown into a seven-decade-old national recognition system celebrating India's diverse cinematic traditions, creative excellence and technical achievements.
The first edition of the National Film Awards covered feature films, documentary films and children's films. Marathi film Shyamchi Aai won the President's Gold Medal for Best All-India Feature Film, while Mahabalipuram received the President's Gold Medal for Best Documentary Film. Do Bigha Zamin was awarded a Certificate of Merit.
The awards were instituted to encourage artistic and technical excellence in Indian cinema, following the recommendation of the Film Enquiry Committee, which was constituted in 1949. The first awards, established in 1954, were presented for films of 1953.
The initiative came four decades after the beginnings of Indian cinema, traced to Dadasaheb Phalke's Raja Harishchandra in 1913. From that modest start, the National Film Awards gradually expanded both in scope and in the range of filmmakers, technicians and cinematic forms they recognise.
A significant expansion came in 1967-68 when awards for artists and technicians were introduced. Uttam Kumar and Nargis received the first acting honours under the expanded framework.
In 1969, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was instituted as the highest honour in Indian cinema. Devika Rani became its first recipient, establishing a separate lifetime recognition for an individual's contribution to the development of Indian cinema.
The administration of the awards was subsequently entrusted to the Directorate of Film Festivals in 1973. In 2022, the Directorate was merged with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), which is the present implementing body.
With the announcement of the 72nd National Film Awards in July 2026, the awards have entered another milestone year. The ceremony is scheduled to be held at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat.
The present National Film Awards framework is divided into three sections: Feature Films, Non-Feature Films and Best Writing on Cinema, apart from the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
The Feature Film section has 26 categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Direction and Best Actor in a Leading Role. It also recognises Best Children's Film, Best Cinematography, Best Music Direction and Best Costume Design, among other achievements.
The Non-Feature Film section has 16 categories covering documentaries, short films, animation and allied forms. These include Best Documentary, Best Short Film, Best Animation Film, Best Arts and Culture Film, Best Narration or Voice Over and Best Script.
The Best Writing on Cinema section has two awards , for the best book on cinema and the best film critic.
The Feature and Non-Feature Film categories carry Swarna Kamal and Rajat Kamal awards, with cash prizes of Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh respectively. The two Best Writing on Cinema awards carry Swarna Kamal and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award carries the Swarna Kamal, a shawl and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh for the 72nd edition.
The selection process begins with entries invited for films certified during the preceding calendar year. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting constitutes separate juries for the Feature Film, Non-Feature Film and Best Writing on Cinema sections.
Feature films are evaluated through a two-tier process introduced from the 57th edition onwards. Five regional panels first examine entries from across the country and shortlist them for consideration by a central panel, which takes the final decisions for the Feature Film section.
The Non-Feature Film and Best Writing on Cinema sections have separate juries. Jury members are drawn from the fields of cinema, allied arts and the humanities.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award follows a different procedure. There is no entry process for the honour. A specially constituted committee of eminent film personalities recommends the recipient.
Films considered for the awards must have been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification during the relevant award year and must carry English subtitles. A feature film must have a running time of more than 72 minutes. Dubbed, remade or re-edited versions of films that have already been submitted are not eligible.
UNI PWS RSA
Tags: #From Shyamchi Aai to the 72nd edition# National Film Awards mark 7 decades of cinematic recognition
More News

Delhi CM attends Haritalika Teej celebrations with Nepali, Gorkhali community

20 Sep 2026 | 7:48 PM

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday participated in the Haritalika Teej Mahotsav 2026 organised for the Nepali and Gorkhali community at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, highlighting the festival's cultural significance and the community's contribution to the country.

see more..

Delhi CEO says SIR notices do not mean voter names will be deleted

20 Sep 2026 | 7:30 PM

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) The Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Sunday clarified that notices being issued to certain electors during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls are part of the verification process and do not by themselves mean that the names of those voters will be deleted.

see more..

18-year-old stabbed to death after altercation in Naraina Village, murder case registered

20 Sep 2026 | 7:21 PM

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) An 18-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death following an altercation with an acquaintance in Naraina Village, with Delhi Police registering a murder case and launching an investigation into the incident.

see more..

From Shyamchi Aai to the 72nd edition, National Film Awards mark 7 decades of cinematic recognition

20 Sep 2026 | 7:10 PM

Parwinder Sandhu
New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) What began in 1954 with just seven honours for films made the previous year has grown into a seven-decade-old national recognition system celebrating India's diverse cinematic traditions, creative excellence and technical achievements.

see more..

BJP protests near AAP office over sanitation worker's suicide

20 Sep 2026 | 7:05 PM

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) Demanding dismissal of AAP Municipal Councillor Vijay Kumar in connection with a sanitation worker's suicide, the Delhi BJP workers intensified their protest on Sunday, staging a strong demonstration near the AAP office.

see more..