Civilian Awards of India

Civilian Awards of India

Bharat Ratna:

• It is the highest civilian award in India.
• This award was instituted on 2nd January 1954.
• This award is conferred in recognition of exceptional service of highest order without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex.
• Initially the award was restricted to achievements in art, science and public services, but government expanded the criteria to include any human endeavor. (Sachhhhiinnnnn... sachin)
• Prime Minister of Republic of India recommends nominees to President. He can only suggest maximum three names every year.
• Recipients get a certificate signed by President and a peepal leaf shaped Medallion.
• There is no monetary grant given.
• The recipient is ranked seventh in the Indian order of Precedence.
• Article 18 of Constitution of India does not allow recipients to use the award as title.
• The first recipient of Bharat Ratna was C.Rajgopalachari.
• The latest recipients are former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Freedom Fighter  Madan Mohan Malviya.

Padma Vibhushan:

• It is the second highest civilian award in India
• It was also instituted at the same time and also given by president on the recommendation of Prime Minister
• It is given in recognition of exceptional and distinguished service to the nation in any field, including government services.
• First year's recipients were Dr. Satyendranath bose, Zakir Hussain, Balasaheb Gangadhar kher, Jigme dorji Wangchuk, Nandalal Bose, V K Krishna Menon.
• Latest recipients are, L K Advani, Amitabh Bachchan, Prakash Sigh Badal, Virendra Hegde, Dilip Kumar, Rambhadracharya, M R Srinivasan, KK Venugopal, Aga Khan.

Padma Bhushan:

• It is third highest civilian award
• It is announced on Republic day every year
• It is coffered by President at Rastrapati Bhavan.
• It is awarded in recognition of distinguished service of high order to the nation in any field.
• This year more than 1000 people received this award.

Padma Shri:

• It is fourth highest civilian award in India.
• It is announced every year on Republic Day.
• It is given by President of India.
• It is awarded in recognition of contribution in various spheres of activities including Art, Industry, Education, Literature, Science, Sports, Medicine, Social Service and Public Affairs.
• It is also awarded to individual who are not citizen of India, but served in various ways to India.