The award is given to inspire people to follow the principles of Bhagwan Mahaveer who preached Ahimsa and Nonviolence 2600 years ago. Ahimsa Paramo Dharma" is the cardinal principle that entails reverence for all life and precludes deliberate killing or injuring any living organism. One should not hurt any living being, small or big, intentionally or by negligence.

The aim is to encourage all to be a “Ahimsak”, that is, one who abhors and avoids violence in any form or manner.

The award for excellence in human endeavour in the field of Non-Violence and Vegetarianism is given to one who practises and spreads the humane message of Non-violence and Vegetarianism.

The activities of the nominee may include the following:

• Propagation of vegetarianism
• Practice of vegetarianism
• Protection and care of animals, birds and reptiles
• Possess a sense of selflessness and compassion in service to others
• Creative work in promoting Non-violence

The awardee is given a cash award of Rs.10 lakhs, a citation and a memento.

Recipients of Mahaveer Awards for Excellence in Human Endeavour in the fields of Non-Violence & Vegetarianism

Award	Year	Awardees
27th	2024	Radha Surabhi GauSeva Trust, Radha Kund, Uttar Pradesh
26th	2023	Dhyan Foundation, New Delhi
25th	2022	People for Animals, Sirohi, Rajasthan
24th	2022	Shri Jasraj Shrishrimal, Hyderabad, Telangana
23rd	2021	Baba Palla Singh Goushala, Baba Bakala Town, Punjab
22nd	2021	Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations, New Delhi
21st	2018	Dr. Shiranee Pereira, People for Animals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
20th	2017	Animal Aid Charitable Trust, Udaipur, Rajasthan
19th	2016	Compassion Unlimited Plus Action, Bangalore Karnataka
18th	2015	Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
17th	2015	Blue Cross of India, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
16th	2013	Sri Mohammad Shafique Khan, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
15th	2012	Sri Chiranjee Lal Bagra, Kolkata, West Bengal
14th	2011	Sri Dayananda Swamiji ,Bangalore, Karnataka
12th	2008	Action for Protection of Wild Animals, Hatapatana, Orissa
11th	2008	Sri Bharat Amritlal Kothari, Rajpur, Gujarat
9th	2005	Sri Siddharaj Dhaddha, Chaura Rasta, Jaipur,Rajasthan
7th	2003	Late Dr. Nemichand Jain, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
6th	2000	Dr. Kalyan Motilal Gangwal, Pune, Maharashtra
5th	1999	Smt. Maneka Gandhi, People for Animals,New Delhi
4th	1998	Sadhu Vaswani Mission, Pune, Maharashtra
3th	1997	Sri Ratanlal C Bafna, Jalgaon, Maharashtra
2nd	1996	Sri S Jagannathan & Smt. Krishnammal Jagannathan Gandhigram, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu