In 2018, the two awards were renamed and combined into the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, which is administered by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

It is conferred by the President of India in the week preceding Republic Day, 26 January,[5] in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Children who win the Bal Shakti Puraskar also receive book vouchers,[11] and participate in the Republic Day Parade.

[12][13] Besides, eligible children are also presented with a specified reservation of central pool seats for medical education, allocated annually by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

[11] The awardees are selected by a committee including representatives of the Ministry of Women and Child Development and a number of other departments, as well as subject experts in the relevant fields.