NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, JUNE 30
Three decades of recognising extraordinary service to humanity have culminated in a fresh call for India’s finest changemakers, with the Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation inviting nominations for the 30th National Mahaveer Awards 2027—one of the country’s most prestigious honours celebrating selfless service and social transformation.
- Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation invites nominations for the landmark 30th National Mahaveer Awards 2027, with entries open until July 31, 2026
- Each award carries a ₹10-lakh cash prize, citation and memento, recognising transformative service in Non-Violence & Vegetarianism, Education, Medicine, and Community & Social Service
- Tamil Nadu stands among the nation’s foremost contributors with 17 awardees, while 101 changemakers from 26 States and two Union Territories have been honoured over three decades
- Former Chief Justice of India Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah heads an eminent national jury comprising distinguished jurists, administrators, healthcare leaders and public intellectuals.
- Foundation calls upon individuals and institutions creating lasting social impact to seek national recognition for their service to humanity
Nominations are open until July 31, 2026, for individuals and institutions whose work has made a profound difference in the lives of the needy, underprivileged and voiceless across four broad categories—Non-Violence & Vegetarianism, Education, Medicine, and Community & Social Service.
Each National Mahaveer Award carries a cash prize of ₹10 lakh, besides a citation and memento, recognising outstanding contributions that have created measurable and enduring impact on society.
Over the past three decades—including the recently announced 29th edition—the Foundation has honoured 101 exceptional individuals and institutions from 26 States and two Union Territories, celebrating exemplary efforts that have advanced compassion, healthcare, education and humanitarian service across India.
Tamil Nadu has emerged as one of the strongest contributors to this legacy of excellence, accounting for 17 National Mahaveer Award recipients—among the highest representation by any State. The awardees span pioneering healthcare institutions, educational organisations, grassroots social movements, animal welfare groups and community development initiatives that have transformed countless lives.
The Foundation has invited nominations from Indian citizens and institutions dedicated to selfless service, reaffirming its commitment to recognising those whose work extends beyond personal achievement to create enduring social good.
Ensuring the highest standards of transparency and credibility, the awards will be adjudicated by an eminent national jury chaired by Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of India.
The distinguished jury comprises:
- Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah – Former Chief Justice of India (Chairman)
- Justice D. Y. Chandrachud – Former Chief Justice of India
- S. Gurumurthy – Editor, Thuglak and Part-time Director, RBI
- Prof. B. M. Hegde – Chairman, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mangalore Kendra
- T. S. Krishnamurthy – Former Chief Election Commissioner of India
- D. R. Mehta – Former Chairman, SEBI
- Prabhat Kumar – Former Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India and Former Governor of Jharkhand
- Justice G. S. Singhvi – Former Judge, Supreme Court of India
- Dr. Shiv Kumar Sarin – Director and Chancellor, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi
The Foundation said the awards continue to honour extraordinary individuals and institutions whose unwavering commitment to compassion, innovation and public service has strengthened communities and improved lives across the nation.
Tamil Nadu’s National Mahaveer Award Honourees
Tamil Nadu’s distinguished roll of honour includes:
- 1996: S. Jagannathan & Krishnammal Jagannathan, Gandhigram
- 1998: Avinashilingam Education Trust Institutions, Coimbatore
- 1999: Dr. G. Venkataswamy, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai
- 2000: Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai
- 2003: Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari
- 2006: Dr. S. S. Badrinath, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai
- 2008: Amar Seva Sangam, Tirunelveli
- 2010: Tribal Health Initiative, Dharmapuri
- 2011: Voluntary Health Services, Chennai
- 2015: Blue Cross of India, Chennai
- 2015: Sarada Ashram, Ulundurpet
- 2015: Kasthurba Gandhi Kanya Gurukulam, Vedaranyam
- 2016: Dr. R. V. Ramani, Sankara Eye Institutions, Coimbatore
- 2017: AIM for Seva, Chennai
- 2018: Dr. Shiranee Pereira, People for Animals, Chennai
- 2021: Jeevodaya Hospice for Cancer Patients, Chennai
- 2025: Association for Health Workers in the Nilgiris
