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The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting officially announced the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards on July 18, 2026.
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The 72nd edition honors cinematic excellence in films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) during the 2024 calendar year.
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The formal presentation ceremony is scheduled for September 22, 2026, at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat, with honors conferred by the President of India.
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The National Film Awards were first established in 1954 under the title "State Awards for Films" to encourage artistic and educational cinema.
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Administrative management of the awards is handled by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), following its 2022 institutional merger with the Directorate of Film Festivals.
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The political drama "Article 370," directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, won the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) for Best Feature Film.
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The Best Actor in a Leading Role was jointly awarded to Kartik Aaryan (for "Chandu Champion") and Mammootty (for "Bramayugam").
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Yami Gautam won the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in "Article 370."
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The award for Best Direction was conferred upon Rajkumar Periasamy for the biographical military film "Amaran."
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The sci-fi epic "Kalki 2898 AD," directed by Nag Ashwin, won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
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The Swarna Kamal for Best Non-Feature Film was awarded to the acclaimed documentary "Bhangaar."
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Veteran actor Anant Nag was honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.
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Award winners are decided by independent National Juries comprising prominent filmmakers, critics, and scholars appointed by the Union Government.
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The jury system operates through a structured two-tier screening format, separating initial regional evaluations from the final national deliberations.
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The awards recognize cinematic productions across all 22 Eighth Schedule languages as well as other non-scheduled Indian tongues.
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Awards are split into two honor tiers: the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) and Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus), accompanied by cash endowments.
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The selection mechanism is strictly insulated from box office commercial figures, prioritizing thematic depth, social relevance, and visual artistry.
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The Non-Feature Film section provides high-profile national recognition for investigative documentaries, educational shorts, and anthropological films.
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The Best Writing on Cinema section honors outstanding film criticism, analytical cinema books, and historical cinematic scholarship.
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Jury members work under strict confidentiality agreements, submitting sealed recommendations directly to the Minister for Information and Broadcasting.
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Special Jury Awards and Special Mentions are designated to honor innovative visual effects, experimental sound design, and breakthrough performers.
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All award-winning films, scripts, and documentaries are permanently preserved in the archives of the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) in Pune.
Subject Specialist Commentary
Analytical perspective & practical exam advice from the Master10 academic board
Instituted in 1954 as the State Awards for Films, the National Film Awards honor cinematic excellence across India’s film industries. For the 72nd edition announced in July 2026, films certified by the CBFC during 2024 were judged by juries under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The political drama Article 370 received the Golden Lotus for Best Feature Film, alongside top acting honors celebrating standout performances from Hindi and Malayalam cinema.
In SSC, State PSC, and Railway recruitment exams, national film awards generate frequent current affairs questions. Following the 2022 merger, the National Film Development Corporation administers the awards instead of the earlier Directorate of Film Festivals. An exam trap in multiple-choice questions involves award tiers; remember that the Golden Lotus honors Best Feature Film, whereas acting categories receive the Silver Lotus. Honors are formally conferred by the President of India.
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