Awards were divided into feature films and non-feature films.
President's Gold Medal for the All India Best Feature Film is now better known as National Film Award for Best Feature Film, whereas President's Gold Medal for the Best Documentary Film is analogous to today's National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film. For children's films, Prime Minister's Gold Medal is now given as National Film Award for Best Children's Film. At the regional level, President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film is now given as National Film Award for Best Feature Film in a particular language. Certificate of Merit in all the categories is discontinued over the years.
The awards were given to the best films made in the regional languages of India. For 6th National Film Awards, President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film was not given in Malayalam, Marathi and Tamil language; instead Certificate of Merit was awarded in each particular language.[1]