Established in 1954, it has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.
Didirikan pada 1954, penghargaan tersebut diurus, bersama dengan Festival Film Internasional India dan Indian Panorama, oleh Direktorat Festival Film milik pemerintah India sejak 1973.