Civil Honors Awards in India

An award, often known as distinction, is given to a recipient as a token of gratitude or recognition of excellence in a certain field. Civil awards are awarded to civilians for their exceptional and distinguished service. In India, Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award followed by Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. In this article, we will know civil honors awards in India and important facts about the Civil honors of India.

What is Bharat Ratna Award?

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Bharat Ratna award is the highest civilian award offered by the Government of India. The Bharat Ratna is awarded by the Government of India to the citizens who have made remarkable contributions in their field as well as for the country. In India, Bharat Ratna is interpreted as “Jewels of India”. 

Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award was at first conferred to the citizens who have made remarkable contributions in the field of art, science, literature, and public service. In 2011, the Government of India changed this criterion to involve any contributions who have made remarkable contributions in the field of “human endeavor”. With this, Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar became the youngest recipient of Bharat Ratna for his remarkable construction in the field of sport. This award does not include a monetary grant.

The suggestions or recommendations for the Bharat Ratna award are given by the Prime Minister to the President of India. A maximum of three nominees is awarded Bharat Ratna each year. 

There are no written provisions made that Bharat Ratna is only awarded to non-Indians. Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan and Nelson Mandela are two Non-Indians who received the Bharat Ratna award. Also, the Bharat Ratna award is awarded to naturalized Indian citizens, better known as Mother Teresa. 

Padma Award  

Padma award is declared annually on the occasion of Republic day. It was instituted in 1954.  The Padma award which seeks to recognize “ work of distinction’ is divided into three categories namely Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. It is awarded for distinguished/exceptional achievement in all fields/disciplines such as Art, Literature, Sports, Medicines, Social work, Public Affairs, Science & Engineering, etc.  All persons without any discrimination of sex, religion, caste, occupation, position, or sex are eligible for this award. The Padma Award is not eligible for Government employees along with those working with Public Sector Undertaking (PSUs), excluding Scientists and Doctors.

The three categories of Padma Award, including Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri are detailed below in decreasing order of their importance.

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Padma Vibhushan Award

Padma Vibhushan, awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, is the second-highest civilian award conferred by the Indian Government. A committee is constituted by the Prime Minister which ensures to submit recommendations to the Prime Minister and President of India for approval. Similar to the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan can also be awarded after death. Till now, more than 300 people have received Padma Awards.

Padma Bhushan Award

Padma Bhushan award, awarded for distinguished service of a high order, is the third-highest civilian award conferred by the Indian Government. It has been granted to more than 1200 people, out of which 90 were Non-Indian citizens. The award is awarded once a year on Republic day. 

Padma Shri Award

Padma Shri, awarded for distinguished service, is the fourth highest civilian award conferred by the Indian Government. Similar to the Padma Bhushan, this award is also awarded once a year on Republic day. 

Who Decides Padma Award?

All nominations received for the Padma award are placed before the Padma award committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister each year. The Padma award committee is managed by the cabinet minister, including the home ministry, secretary to the president, and four to six eminent persons as members. The suggestions of the committee are submitted to the Prime Minister and President of India for approval. 

Important Facts About Civil Awards of India- Bharat Ratna and Padma Award

Bharat Ratna 

• Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the country, was started on January 2, 1954, by former president of India Rajendra Prasad. During that time, only alive people were eligible for this award. Later on, the criteria are changed.

• The Bharat Ratna award looks like a peepal leaf with the word “Bharat Ratna '' inscribed in it.

• Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, Sir C.V. Raman, and Chakravarti Rajagopalachari were the first recipients of Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India in 1954.

• Cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and renowned scientist C.N.R Rao both were awarded Bharat Ratna in 2013.

• It is not mandatory to award Bharat Ratna each year.

• Subhash Chandra Bose was awarded Bharat Ratna in 1992 after his death. But his family refused to accept the award due to controversies( as there was no evidence of his death). This is the only case in the history of the Bharat Ratna (highest civilian award) that an award has been withdrawn.

• As recommendations for the highest civilian award are made by the Prime Minister of India to President, the then honorable Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi have been blamed for honoring the award to themself. 

• During the award ceremony, the recipients of Bharat Ratna receive a Sanad certificate signed by the president and a medallion.

• Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was the first-ever Indian to receive Bharat Ratna for his scientific contribution.

• Leaders like Nelson Mandella and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan are the only foreigners to receive the Bharat Ratna award.

Padma Award

• The total number of Padma Awards to be given in a year ( excluding post-death awards and NRI/foreigners/OCIs) should not be more than 120.

• The Padma award does not include title and cannot be used as a suffix and prefix to a recipient's name.

• The holders of the Padma award are given a medallion and sanad signed by the President of India.

• The names of the holders of Padma awards are published in the Gazettes of India.

• The Padma awards are awarded on the suggestion made by the Padma Award committee, which is annually created by the Prime Minister.

• The award committee is managed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes Secretary to the President, Home Secretary, and 4-6 eminent persons as members.

• The outline made by the Award Committee is forwarded to the President of India and Prime Minister for consent.

• Non - Indian citizens are eligible for Padma Award.

• In 2021, the President of India has accepted the conferment of 119 Padma awards along with one duo case. The award in duo cases is counted as one. 

• Narthaki Nataraj, a Bharatnatyam Dance is the first transgender to receive the Pama Shri award.

• Balbir Singh Sr, is the first sportsperson to receive the Padma Shri award in 1957.