The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation has instituted four awards which are given annually. The objective of these awards is to felicitate the efforts of women and men who have dedicated their life to Gandhian constructive work and the ideals which Shri Jamnalal Bajaj had cherished all his life.
The awards recognize and reward such individuals who have strived and effectively implemented Gandhian values for amply enriching and bettering the lives of the communities. The Foundation has instituted four awards which are given annually to recognize, honor and encourage the outstanding contribution of the selfless people towards the development and welfare of the society, rural community and the nation, at large. There are three National Awards and one International Award as listed below:
- National: Constructive Work following Gandhian principles in rural India
- National: Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development
- National: Development and Welfare of Women and Children (instituted in the memory of Padma Vibhushan Smt. Jankidevi Bajaj)
- International: International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India (presented to an individual holding a foreign passport and nationality)
Each award carries a Citation, a Trophy and a Cash Prize of Rs. 20,00,000 (for the International Award, the Cash Prize is equivalent to foreign exchange). Commemorating the 125th Birth Anniversary of Shri Jamnalal Bajaj in November 2014, the Foundation had increased the earlier prize amount of Rs. 5,00,000 to Rs. 10,00,000 in each award category. 2023 being the Centennial Birth Anniversary of Shri Ramkrishna Bajaj, the Foundation has increased the prize amount of Rs. 10,00,000 to Rs. 20,00,000 in each award category, with effect from 2023 Jamnalal Bajaj Awards.
The Council of Advisors and Selection Committees for the awards play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of the awards and enhancing the objectives of the Foundation.
The birth anniversary of Shri Jamnalal Bajaj is November 4 and hence the Awards function is organized around that time of the year in Mumbai. Over the years, Presidents and Prime Ministers of India, Chief Ministers, Finance Ministers, social and spiritual leaders and Nobel Laureates have graced the award functions as Chief Guests.