Aimed at selecting and promoting in house programmes of thematic, aesthetic and technical excellence and encourage in house talent, the awards have been classified into 33 categories, with a trophy reserved for the best regional kendra as well. The best programme in each category will be awarded prize money of Rs 25,000, 50 per cent of which will go to the producer / director of the programme and the rest will be shared by the production team.

The Doordarshan Awards event will be produced by Doordarshan Kendra Delhi as a sponsored programme every year, says the pubcaster, and will be telecast live on DD National. The categories for the calendar year 2001 include best show awards, as well as engineering and technical awards, individual awards as well as an award for the Best Doordarshan Kendra.

Among the popular categories, awards will be given for the most innovative programme, best music programme, best agriculture show, best documentary, best telefilm, best serial (play), best children's programme, best youth programme, best women's programme, best sports programme and best programme on wildlife and environment, best science and technology programme, best dance programme, best cinematography, best sound recording, best set design and art direction, best animation, best editing, best news report of the year, best make up, best graphics, live event of the year, best spot, Lifetime achievement and best TV show.

The engineering and technical awards include the Best installed Studio/HPT project in the country, Best installed LPT/VLPT transponder, Best maintained Kendra in the country, Best maintained DMC in the country and Best designed building in the country. Among the individual awards are those for Best Technical Paper, Best Import Substitution and Best Innovation.

The event is to be anchored by producer actor Sachin Pilgaonkar and former Miss World Yukta Mookhey.