The YAI presents various annual awards to recognize the achievements of the members as listed below. These awards are presented during the Annual General Body Meetings of the Yachting Association of India.

"Admiral RK Dhowan Trophy for Best Sailing Club

This trophy is awarded to the club which has shown efforts towards enhancing interest in yachting activities, training and coaching of sailors, organizing National / International events, providing financial help and sponsorships to the sailors, provision of equipment and maintenance of infrastructure.

“Admiral RH Tahiliani Trophy” for the Yachtsman of the Year

The trophy is awarded to any individual (helm or crew) or a group of individuals or members of a yachting team who during the year under review brought in the results on a national / international level which would merit the award. The following criteria applies:-

• Achievements during the year. Achievements for the previous 2 years may also be considered if required.
• Sportsmanship of the individual (s) concerned.
• Sense of discipline and behaviour on and off the water.
• Quality of leadership.
• Dedication and devotion to the sport of yachting.

“Admiral Kohli Trophy” for Promoting the Sport of Yachting

This trophy is awarded to an individual who has done maximum to promote the sport. The following criteria applies:-

• Performance in organizing National / international events.
• Conducting / organizing of coaching camps / selection trials.
• Efforts towards enhancing interest in yachting activity.
• Efforts towards enrolment of members.
• Quality of leadership.
• Dedication and devotion to the sport of yachting.

“Admiral Nadkarni Trophy” for Most Promising Yachtsman of the Year

The trophy is awarded to any individual (helm or crew) or a group of individual (helm or crew) who show promising performance at the international / national level in the year under consideration.

“Admiral Ramdas Trophy” for Offshore Adventure of the Year
This trophy is awarded to the yacht or yachtsmen who have performed an outstanding voyage or done commendable offshore sailing during the year under review.

“Engineer in Chief Trophy” for the Best Lady Sailor of the Year

The trophy is awarded to any individual (helm or crew) or a group of individual (helm or crew) who show promising performance at the international / national level in the year under consideration. This trophy was introduced in the year 2003.

“Life Time Achievement” Award

The norms for award of this which was introduced in 2004 are :

• Individual should have been involved for at least three decades in the field of the sport of sailing.
• Tangible contribution in promotion of sailing.
• Tangible contribution in participation at National/International level in sailing/coaching/jury/boat measurement.
• Contribution towards bringing/promoting a class association/class of boat, in India.
• Be a major source of inspiration to budding sailors as motivational aspect.
• Positive contribution to uplift the standard of training of budding sailors.
• Preferably, be a recipient of Admiral Kohli trophy.
• To be awarded only when there is a deserving person, not necessarily every year.
• A person getting this award shall be ineligible for award of Admiral Kohli trophy.

"Race Official" of the Year Award

This award will be awarded to contribution by Race officials at International, National and Regional events only. Only such of those officials who make contribution by officiating at Sailing events as Race Officers, Judges or Protest Committee Members, Umpires in Match Racing events, Class Measurers or such other officials who contribute to the sailing events above would be elegible for this award. A replica of the trophy will be presented each year to the receipients.