It is one of several awards presented for feature films and awarded with Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus).
[1] The National Film Awards, established in 1954, are the most prominent film awards in India that merit the best of the Indian cinema.
The ceremony also presents awards for films in various regional languages.
Awards for films in seven regional language (Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu) started from 2nd National Film Awards which were presented on December 21, 1955.
Three awards of "President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film", "Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film" and "Certificate of Merit for the Third Best Feature Film" were instituted.