Bengaluru, October 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Karnataka government has substantially increased cash rewards for the state’s Asian Games 2026 medallists, raising the prize money to Rs 1 crore for gold, Rs 75 lakh for silver and Rs 50 lakh for bronze medals.
According to an official statement from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s office, the revised rewards mark a significant increase from the earlier amounts of Rs 35 lakh for gold, Rs 25 lakh for silver and Rs 15 lakh for bronze.
Eight sportspersons from Karnataka who won medals at the Asian Games will benefit from the revised scheme.
Indian women’s cricketer Shreyanka Patil, who was part of the gold medal-winning team, will receive Rs 1 crore. Track athlete M.R. Poovamma, who won silver in the 4×400 mixed relay and gold as part of the women’s 4×400 relay team, will receive a total of Rs 1.75 crore.
Shooter Tilottama Sen, who won silver in the women’s 50-metre rifle team event, and golfer Aditi Ashok, who secured a silver medal, will each receive Rs 75 lakh.
Badminton player Ayush R. Shetty, who was part of the bronze medal-winning Indian men’s team, and athlete Sneha S.S., who won bronze in the 4×100 mixed relay, will each receive Rs 50 lakh.
Golfer Pranavi S. Urs, who won team silver and individual gold, will receive a total of Rs 1.75 crore, while hockey player Mohit H.S., a member of the gold medal-winning men’s team, will receive Rs 1 crore.
All eight medallists will also receive an additional Rs 5 lakh each as a subsidy.
The state government has further decided to provide direct appointments to Group-B government posts for Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medal winners who are interested in joining government service. Their appointments will be considered by a committee headed by the Chief Secretary.
Under the Olympics Scheme for 2026-27, Poovamma, Sneha and Shreyanka, along with Commonwealth Games medallist Shilpa K.S., have also been included. Each will receive Rs 10 lakh towards Olympic preparations.
The government has additionally notified a two per cent reservation in direct recruitment for sportspersons across Group-A, Group-B, Group-C and Group-D posts in the state government.
Another Rs 5 lakh incentive has been announced for each of 20 Karnataka sportspersons who represented India at the Asian Games 2026.
The enhanced rewards come after Poovamma had expressed dissatisfaction with the earlier Rs 35 lakh gold-medal incentive and urged the state government to increase financial support for medal-winning athletes. Deputy Chief Minister and Youth Empowerment and Sports Minister G. Parameshwara had said on Monday that the government was reconsidering the rewards after comparing them with incentives offered by other states.
Poovamma had also expressed disappointment that no state leader or district official contacted her immediately after her gold-medal performance in Japan, and called for stronger institutional support for athletes.
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