It is one of several awards presented for non-feature films and awarded with Golden Lotus (Swarna Kamal).
The award was instituted in 1989, at 37th National Film Awards and awarded annually for films produced in the year across the country, in all Indian languages.
Since the 70th National Film Awards, the name was changed to "Best Debut Film of a Director" and was changed the status from Silver Lotus to Golden Lotus.
[1] Also, the director is alone eligible for the award since this edition.
Award includes 'Rajat Kamal' (Silver Lotus) and cash prize.