The award, which carries Rs 5 lakh, a gold medal and a citation, is given to a distinguished journalist every year.
The selection committee was headed by Karan Singh and included former union minister Anand Sharma, former foreign secretary M K Rasgotra, Kanta G K Reddy and Rajya Sabha member T Subbarami Reddy, who is also the founder of the award.
The award will be given to Mehta in December this year, Reddy said in a release issued here today.