The National Film Awards are given by Government of India since 1954 to honour films made across the country, on a national scale, to encourage the furthering of Indian art and culture.

Every year a national panel appointed by the government selects the winning entry, and the award ceremony is held in New Delhi, where the President of India gives away the awards. This is followed by the inauguration of the National Film Festival, where the award-winning films are screened for the public.

The awards are given in following categories.

1. Golden Lotus (Swarna Kamal) Award — Given for Best Film, Direction, Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Children’s Film.
2. Silver Lotus (Rajat Kamal) Award — Given to (a) Best Actor, Actress, Music Director, Lyricist, etc. (b) Best film in Regional Languages specified in schedule VIII of the constitution and other languages which are not specified.
3. Nargis Dutt Award for National Integration
4. Indira Gandhi Award for the Best First Film — Given to the Best First Film of a Director
5. Non-Feature Film Awards — Given to the Best Film on Art, Agriculture, Family Welfare, Adventure, Animation, Environment, Motivation, Investigation, Exploration etc.
6. Best Book on Cinema Award
7. Best Film Critic Award
8. Dadasaheb Phalke Award — This award is for lifetime achievement and contribution to Indian Cinema. It is named after Dadasaheb Phalke, one of India’s pioneering film makers.

Here in this category some autographs of these awardees are presented.