Twelve girls and eight boys were selected by a high-powered committee comprising representatives of various ministries, departments, non-governmental organisations and senior members of the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW).

The Sanjay Chopra Award has been given to 13-year-old Saumik Mishra of Uttar Pradesh who single-handedly fought miscreants and foiled a theft attempt. The Geeta Chopra Award has been conferred upon 10-year-old Prachi Santosh Sen of Madhya Pradesh who saved four children from being electrocuted.

Asu Kanwar (14) of Rajasthan, Seema Kanwar (16) and late Kavita Kanwar (15) of Chhattisgarh have been given the prestigious Bapu Gaidhani Awards. Asu Kanwar stood up against child marriage while Seema and Kavita braved a fire to try and save their friends. Kavita lost her life in the incident.

The National Bravery Award Scheme was launched by the Indian Council for Child Welfare in 1957. Since then, a total of 756 children — 541 boys and 215 girls— have been given the award. As per the scheme, the awardees receive financial assistance till they complete their schooling under the Sponsorship Programme of the ICCW.